David Fincher’s 1997 film The Game is being released on Blu-ray & DVD today, as part of the Criterion Collection.  Nicholas Van Orton (Michael Douglas) is a businessman who has everything, until his brother (Sean Penn) signs him up for a game that will change his life, although not necessarily for the better.  Nicholas gets pulled into a strange series of events when he attempts to free himself from the mysterious game.

Two years after the pop culture phenomenon of Se7en in 1995 and two years before the definitively iconic Fight Club in 1999, The Game was an important film in David Fincher’s career when it was first released in 1997.  With a signature visual style and a story that twists and turns from beginning to end, this is a slickly entertaining thriller that offers plenty of big ideas to go along with the exhilarating set pieces.

The Blu-ray includes audio commentary with David Fincher alongside the cast and crew, as well as an hour of “behind the scenes” footage and an alternate ending.  Also included in the package is an essay by film critic David Sterritt.

The Game is 128 minutes and rated R.

-John C.