What’s It About
A master thief is wooed by his ex-girlfriend and the FBI to pull off an impossible heist with his international crew on a 777 passenger flight from London to Zurich.
MOVIESinMO REVIEW
Lift has potential with its star-studded cast and the heist thriller theme led by Kevin Hart. The cast is charming, and everyone seems excited to be part of it. However, despite these positives, the film falls short of being genuinely cinematic, lacking the polished quality expected from heist thrillers directed by the likes of Steven Soderbergh. The film feels rushed and unfinished, which is evident in its inconsistent lighting in exterior scenes and purposefully convoluted editing. The cast’s likability saves it from becoming too dreary, but it fails to win the audience over. Instead, it seems destined to be forgotten, joining the ranks of generic and forgettable Netflix action pictures. While Lift follows the heist thriller formula with an eclectic group of con artists attempting an impossible job, the lack of depth in the characters makes it challenging to care about their success. The special effects feel detached from reality, resembling more of a video game than a thrilling cinematic experience. The plot revolves around a group of high-tech thieves led by Kevin Hart’s character, Cyrus, who are attempting to steal gold bars from a commercial airliner. The film features globetrotting shots of European destinations, but they fail to stand out. Hart deviates from his usual persona but lacks anything interesting to do in this corrupt Robin Hood-like role. The romantic subplot between Cyrus and Interpol agent Abby Gladwell, played by Gugu Mbatha-Raw, lacks chemistry and feels forced. The convoluted plot involves stealing gold transferred by a wealthy villain, Jean Reno, to fund a terrorist group. The characters have specific roles but lack depth beyond their jobs, making the banter and interactions in high-rise condos and warehouses seem forced. The film relies on bland editing tricks for excitement, such as sped-up sequences, zooms, and montages. The repetitive fistfights on airplanes become dull, mirroring the overall monotony of the film. Lift might be enjoyable as a mindless watch during a flight, but it fails to deliver the cinematic thrills expected from a heist thriller.
OUR RATING – A GROUNDED 4