Lift 2024 Review
Introduction:
Netflix’s latest action endeavor, “Lift,” featuring comedian Kevin Hart, takes a familiar formula – big-budget action, a charismatic star, and a tried-and-true concept – and repackages it for the laptop screen. This heist flick helmed by F. Gary Gray results in a mixed bag of slick sequences and unconvincing performances.
Storyline:
Setting the Stage: From the opening minute, “Lift” signals its streaming action flick identity with stock characters and music video aesthetics. (Hart) plays Cyrus Whitaker, a debonair conman leading a crew of thieves with a penchant for stealing from the deserving. The plot kicks off with an NFT-centered heist in Venice, weaving in half-jokes about the passing fad of NFTs.
Action Unleashed: Director F. Gary Gray, known for films like “The Italian Job” and “Fast & Furious 8,” brings his action expertise to the table. The film’s dumb yet entertaining plot, featuring various characters like the daredevil pilot Camila (Úrsula Corberó) and over-caffeinated safecracker Magnus, gains momentum. The cat-and-mouse chase through the canals of Venice and in-flight sequences inject a thrilling pulse, raising the stakes for the audience.
Unusual Casting Choices: Kevin Hart steps out of his usual comedic comfort zone, portraying Cyrus as a hyper-competent leader. However, the ill fit between Hart’s brand of comedy and the suave heist leader role results in awkwardness. The chemistry between Hart and Interpol officer Abby Gladwell (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) falls flat, detracting from the film’s overall impact.
Lift 2024 Review
Lift 2024 Review
Character Dynamics:
Chemistry Quandary: The lack of chemistry between Hart and Mbatha-Raw permeates the film, with Mbatha-Raw consistently upstaging Hart on-screen. The attempt to build a romance between Cyrus and Abby feels forced, and the thinly written roles for supporting characters contribute to a lack of depth.
Ocean’s 11 with a Twist: The plot’s resemblance to a hybrid of “Ocean’s 11” with a “Fast and Furious” flavor is unmistakable. While Hart may not convincingly embody a crew boss, the ensemble cast brings some joy to the improbable heist scenarios, providing a baseline level of pleasure for viewers.
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Lift 2024 Review
Character Quirks and Clichés:
Glimpses of Silliness: At times, “Lift” seems to flirt with the idea of a parody, akin to “Spy.” Kevin Hart delivers lines like “I would never lift anything from anyone who doesn’t deserve to lose it” with a black turtleneck flair, hinting at a potential embrace of inherent silliness. However, the film’s insistence on taking itself seriously, even in its third-act airborne antics, diminishes the opportunity for a more enjoyable and lighthearted experience.
Lift 2024 Review
Director’s Dilemma:
Cinematic Shortcomings: F. Gary Gray, an accomplished director with a background in music videos and blockbuster films, cannot shoulder the blame for “Lift’s” shortcomings. The screenplay, riddled with clichés and lackluster dialogue, hampers the director’s ability to elevate the film. While the streaming equivalent of a popcorn movie holds appeal, “Lift” magnifies its flaws when viewed at home, lacking the immersive impact a theater might have provided.
Lift 2024 Review
conclusion:
Underwhelming Culmination: Despite the action-packed sequences and the director’s expertise, “Lift” struggles to rise above its forgettable peers. The bare characterization and lack of on-screen chemistry fail to elevate the film beyond a standard heist flick. While the in-flight scenes and heist dynamics may keep viewers engaged, the overall impact falls short of creating a memorable cinematic experience.
Final Verdict: “Lift” may find a place in the catalog of streaming blockbusters, but it lacks the distinguishable flair needed for longevity. The film’s derivative nature, coupled with the miscasting of Kevin Hart, results in a heist flick that, despite its thrilling moments, fails to leave a lasting impression.
Lift 2024 Review
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