Slick, ominous, suspenseful and compelling

Rating: 8/10 (9 August 2003)

The first time I saw this movie I was disappointed in the ending. That wasn't because the ending was an anti-climax - far from it. On the contrary, maybe it was the fact that the first seven eighths of the movie was so impressive.
The movie exhibits all the cinematic style and flair of Director David Fincher's other efforts; viewers will notice the use of murky lighting and largely night-time scenes used in Fincher's successors, "Seven", "Fight Club" and "Panic Room" to create a unique brand of menace and suspense. While "The Game" contains the necessary plot twists and the application of Michael Douglas in this role is a case of casting perfection, the film does not quite carry off the synergy of plot and direction towards as powerful a conclusion as, say, that in Fight Club.
But I AM being picky here. The pace is far from inert; there is plenty of action and there is more than enough happening in the story to keep you in suspense without requiring much concentration from the viewer.
Despite the odd (minor) errors in continuity and the final scenes making a rather hurried attempt to tie some of the pieces together (and answer your questions) there is rather little to criticise. If this is your first time, chances are you won't pick the ending, but it almost seems as though you weren't meant to in the first place. Sean Penn turns in a commendable, dynamic role as Douglas' brother in the film, and there are no overt blemishes in the acting of the other characters.
If you're not desperately after the mind-warping in-your-face vivacity of Fight Club but you want a little more substance; a more satisfying and climactic ending than that of Panic Room, you can't go wrong here.