T.A.G. - Das Killerspiel

The execution of "TAG: The Assassination Game" may be primarily comical and light-headed, the concept is extremely ingenious and would easily lean itself for a harsh and disturbing thriller. It's actually quite regrettable that writer/director Nick Castle (an acolyte of John Carpenter, which is made clear through many details throughout the film) opted for the more comical and all-revealing approach, as you can't help thinking this premise held a lot more potential. "TAG" is the name of a game organized on campus grounds and it's a gigantic hype in universities all across the USA. The participating students dispose of toy guns and receive the profile of another participant together with the assignment to "kill" them. Of course one of the players, who can't stand losing too well, takes the game a little serious and starts taking out his targets with genuine bullets. Most of the film, however, revolves on the game circuit of the lovely Linda Hamilton, as well as on her romance with the school newspaper journalist Robert Carradine), so it takes an awful long while before anyone ever realizes there's a crazed killer on the loose. "TAG" isn't exactly suspenseful, since the identity of the killer is never kept secret and – let's face it – someone going completely bonkers over losing a stupid college game isn't very convincing. There's also a severe lack in body count and the murders themselves aren't very spectacular. Still, it's a fun idea and the film has a few highly memorable moments and eccentric characters, like Carpenter (see the link?); the creep who keeps hold of the score. Linda Hamilton looks beautiful and very sexy in this one, although she smokes like a chimney unfortunately, and it's also the debut film of Bruce Abbott (Re-Animator).

A group of students in college are playing a game called TAG:The Assassination Game with plastic dart guns.A college newspaper reporter played by Robert Carradine decides to write the story about TAG after one of the players beautiful Linda Hamilton hides out in his room.Gersh(Bruce Abbot)becomes angry after failing the game,so he starts to use gun with a real bullets and the hunt begins..."Tag:The Assassination Game" was directed by Nick Castle who played Michael Myers in John Carpenter's "Halloween".It's also worth checking out for fantastic actors including Linda Hamilton,Bruce Abbot,Robert Carradine,Xander Berkley,Michael Winslow and Forest Whitaker.The score is excellent,the pace is fast and there is a bit of violence but no gore and nudity.7 deadly dart guns out of 10.

OK, all one really needs to say is "This is a film about college kids shooting each other with rubber tipped dart guns." If you are looking into a movie with that premise for anything other than breezy entertainment, you need to raise your standards.

That being said, this is a pretty good film. Linda Hamilton, as another commenter said, was really honing her craft here, and many of the skills that she demonstrated in Terminator were beginning to be displayed. Her simultaneous edginess and softness with occasional sultry looks are well worth a view. Carradine is passable as a lead as a wannabe "front page", but like all the Carradines, not very memorable.

Finally, it is worth noting that Michael Winslow has some enjoyable scenes as a TAG contestant who entertains himself and others with his very commendable skills as a sound effects specialist. He would eventually go on to great fame in the Police Academy movies 2 years later.

Not much in the way of technical expertise displayed here by Nick Castle, who played the Shape in Halloween (though he probably had no budget to work with). Most enjoyable for me was the boom mike that appeared in a classroom scene above Linda Hamilton's head. This however was his first directing role, and it had moments of greatness in it that showed his potential.

I remember watching this on HBO when I was like 12 years old. Thsi movie was cool then, but I haven't seen it since then. The funny thing is, when I went to U of Miami for college in 1990, we actually played a version of this game on campus. The campus was nuts playing this game too. You never knew who to trust. I do not think this movie is available on DVD at this point, and I think thats way it is not seen as a cult classic like others like it from the same era. Its just not available and no one uses VHS anymore. If they release it on DVD at anytime, check it out. it might be dated now, but it was still good. Good actors in it too.

At a college campus the latest craze is a game where people are given targets to chase after with fake guns loaded with plastic darts. However, the reigning champion so upset over losing decides to use real bullets instead and continue on with the game. Fast paced film with an appealing cast and a fair amount of suspense, style and humor. Also proves tons of violence is not necessary to make a good horror / thriller.

Rated PG; Violence.