A Kevin Hart flick that can’t lift its own weight
Lift is the latest action-heist movie on Netflix starring the likes of Kevin Hart, Gugu Mbatha Raw, Sam Worthington, Vincent D’Onofrio, Billy Magnussen, Úrsula Corberó, Yun Jee Kim and more. Unfortunately, despite having scores of talented actors, it feels like their potential is underused. Kevin Hart, known for his comedy, takes on a different role, but sadly, his charismatic and comedic side isn’t fully tapped into.
The story follows a master thief, Cyrus, and his crew attempting to pocket half a billion dollars worth of gold to get their criminal records wiped clean through a deal with Interpol. There are plenty of fans for heist movies, especially when you get to see the whole planning, execution, and quick thinking when things inevitably go wrong. This movie isn’t the absolute worst, but it’s just not that memorable, either. So, if you’re hoping for some emotional connection with the characters, good luck finding it because it’s not there.
Everyone feels disconnected, and their exchanges are random. It’s basically the same old plot with a group of supposed bad guys trying to do the right thing. Cyrus could have been a great protagonist, but like all the others, he lacks substance. During the credits, you’ll find yourself trying hard to recall what the whole film was about. It feels like the script has the potential to be more comedic or wittier, but instead, it comes off as kind of dull and stupid. As if the filmmakers followed the same formula as every other non-memorable action film on Netflix they don’t really bring anything new to the table in how they deal with stuff.
If you’re a fan of heist movies and have watched a bunch, you’ll probably see the next moves coming from a mile away in this one. The characters, be it Cyrus or Abby, don’t really have anything interesting going on with them. There’s nothing that grabs your attention and keeps you fastened to your chair. Most of the time, it feels like they’re just throwing around a bunch of technical jargon, and honestly, it seems like they don’t really know what they’re talking about.
The same goes for their plans—it’s like they’re just winging it. The big bad, Lars Jorgensen, doesn’t really bring much to the table. His plan kind of seems boring and outdated since everything just magically goes Cyrus’ way. Unlike Cyrus, Lars doesn’t face many tough situations, which renders his part in the film dull and interesting.
If you’re a fan of any of the mentioned actors or actresses, sure, you can give it a watch. But if you’re hoping for the same thrill and drama as Money Heist just because Úrsula Corberó (Tokyo) is in it, well, don’t hold your breath. Just don’t expect too much, or you might end up disappointed. Simply put, Kevin Hart’s film can’t carry its own weight.
Read More: Lift Ending Explained
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Verdict - 4/10
4/10