Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		0.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		2.0
Overall		4.0

Tag 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

How about another round?

Reviewed by Randy Miller III October 24, 2024

Another entry in Warner Bros.' recent wave of 4K MOD catalog upgrades -- many of which seem to be comedies from the 2010s -- is Jeff Tomsic's Tag, featuring a rowdy ensemble cast and based on a surprising true story that celebrates lifelong juvenile behavior. I was a few years late to the party and first watched Tag on a whim several years ago... and simply put, it fully won me over. Not as an out-and-out perfect comedy, mind you, but as a perfectly solid one that has held up to numerous repeat viewings. Crisply shot with lots of dynamic visual appeal, Tag is nonetheless a surprising candidate for UHD since more than six years have gone by since Warner Bros.' 2018 Blu-ray... but it looks so good here on the studio's new triple-layered 4K edition that die-hard fans probably won't mind double dipping.

For a synopsis of the main feature, check out Michael Reuben's review of the 2018 Blu-ray linked above. Needless to say, my moderately higher star rating indicates that yours truly enjoyed this one quite a bit more in comparison, partly because my sibling-fueled competitive nature and love for raucous, sporadically black comedy is a major part of Tag's modus operandi. That said, it's not for everyone... but if you're like me and manage to find humor even at the most inappropriate times, this one might be right up your alley. One thing's for sure, though: even if you don't buy into Tag's narrative or sentiment or find that it detours into oddball territory a few too many times for its own good, the film's commitment to its joke and inarguably well-shot action scenes help it to stand out in a crowded genre.

Tag 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

NOTE: These screenshots have been sourced from the 4K disc and down-converted to 1080p/SDR, which means that they should not be considered a 100% accurate depiction of the picture quality during playback.

Despite being delivered to theaters as a 2K digital intermediate, this new 2160p/HDR10 (Dolby Vision capable) transfer of Tag easily outperforms its Blu-ray counterpart in a number of critical areas. To be fair, that 2018 HD release was no slouch in the video department, as reviewer Michael Reuben praised its rich, colorful appearance and solid black levels, not to mention its respectable bit rate that averaged just under 35 Mbps. Not to overwhelm with numbers, but this triple-layered (100GB) UHD disc bests it at every turn with a bit rate that's often more than twice that of the previous release, allowing for a fully uncompromised presentation that may even beat original theatrical showings of the film. It's extremely crisp and colorful throughout, with rich hues and stylized cinematography that's not afraid to exaggerate lighting and color timing in dramatic situations. Black levels are quite simply rock-solid; not necessarily punchier than the Blu-ray, but just as deep with a more carefully controlled mid-range and conversely more room for lighter values as well. Of course, much of that is due to the HDR grade and optional Dolby Vision support, either of which option yields an extremely high-quality image from start to finish that doesn't reinvent the film's look but simply anchors it more firmly. Only a few very brief moments of shimmering can be seen on highly detailed background objects (such as the outdoor HVAC unit in a back alley after Chilli's big fall), but these are likely part of the source material.

Tag 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Warner Bros. serves up Tag with the exact same DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio mix found on the Blu-ray; though a new Atmos remix would've actually been interesting to hear, this track stands as a suitably crisp and active presentation that gets the job done. Please note that WB has not carried over the Blu-ray's French, Spanish, and Portuguese dubs and subtitles, equipping this 4K disc with only a lone optional set of English (SDH) subtitles during the film only. I know this is probably a cost-cutting measure, but it seems counter-intuitive considering that this format is region-free.

Tag 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This one-disc MOD (pressed, not burnt) release ships in a standard keepcase with recycled cover artwork and no slipcover or Digital Copy are included. Fittingly, the lightweight but enjoyable assortment of Blu-ray bonus features described by Michael Reuben in his review of the 2018 Blu-ray have been carried over and are listed below.

• Deleted Scenes (8 clips, 6:20 total)

• Gag Reel (8:50)

• Meet the Real Tag Brothers (5:03)

Tag 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Rowdy and eternally juvenile, Jeff Tomsic's Tag is just crazy enough to work and, for me, remains one of the most surprisingly enjoyable comedies of its era. Yes, it's limited in scope and feels entirely over- the-top at inappropriate moments, but to me that's just part of the the fun. Warner Bros.' new 4K edition arrives six years after their own 2018 Blu-ray and, while only the visuals have improved on this MOD release, they're strong enough to make it basically the most definitive home video release to date. This one's recommended to fans and first-timers alike.