Kevin Hart's latest venture with Netflix, titled "Lift," directed by F. Gary Gray, unfolds as a heist comedy with a twist. Gray, whose last film was the less-than-stellar "Men in Black: International" in 2019, rebounds with a better outcome this time. However, my reservations about the movie stem from various factors, with the primary concern being the central character.
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Lift appears familiar right from its opening scene, and as the plot unfolds, it becomes evident that the film heavily borrows ideas from superior movies. Another notable drawback is Kevin Hart's role itself. It's not about the actor's performance; rather, it's the departure from his usual comedic roles to portray a mastermind orchestrating a broad daylight heist.
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In Lift, Hart assumes the character of Cyrus Whitaker, a renowned thief leading a diverse crew of fellow criminals, each possessing a unique skill set. Denton (Vincent D’Onofrio) excels in disguise; Camila (Úrsula Corberó) serves as the team's pilot; Magnus (Billy Magnussen) is the safecracker; Mi-Sun (Kim Yoon-ji) handles hacking duties, and Luke (Viveik Kalra) is the engineer. Cyrus describes their mission as rescuing works of art from undeserving owners, only to reveal that he sells them for substantial profits on the black market.
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The narrative introduces Interpol Agent Abby Gladwell (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), determinedly pursuing Cyrus and monitoring his activities for over a year. However, her efforts take an unexpected turn when her superior, Commander Huxley (Sam Worthington), proposes a deal with Cyrus. Huxley wants them to steal $500 million in gold from an international terrorist named Lars Jorgenson (Jean Reno), who plans to fund a massive strike on the world's utilities.
Initially hesitant, Cyrus agrees when promised full immunity for his team. Abby, reluctantly assigned to accompany them, adds an awkward layer to the mission due to a romantic history she shares with Cyrus. Unfortunately, the attempt to inject a romantic angle feels half-baked and lacks any genuine spark, much like several other aspects of "Lift."
The film relies on numerous heist movie clichés, including globe-trotting to locations like Venice, Brussels, Northern Ireland, and Tuscany. The team engages in the obligatory planning stage, defying odds in what is claimed to be an unprecedented heist. The climax involves an utterly implausible mid-air job, challenging even the most forgiving audience members when it comes to plausibility.
While "Lift" boasts visually appealing cinematography and a decent budget, its narrative feels like a recycled version of the standard heist movie formula. There's nothing particularly remarkable about "Lift" in terms of its heist or action elements. However, the film does have some enjoyable interpersonal moments. Scenes between Cyrus and Abby exhibit a touch of chemistry, and Vincent D’Onofrio's portrayal as the team guru adds a pleasant contrast to his other roles.
What stands out the most is Kevin Hart's departure from his usual comedic antics. In "Lift," he restrains from improvisation and funny faces, adopting a more serious approach. Working alongside a seasoned dramatic actor like Gugu Mbatha-Raw likely contributed to this shift, showcasing Hart's ability to navigate diverse roles. While I appreciate certain aspects of "Lift," I find it falls short of being a truly great movie, leading me to rate it a 5/10.