Lift
Lift is streaming on Netflix at the time of writing. Rated PG-13. Common Sense says 13.
STORY: D+
Its edgy, inventive premise is held back from getting too edgy or too inventive.
Stealing a half million dollars’ worth of gold isn’t easy. Taking it while it’s flying thousands of feet above the ground complicates the matter even further.
If it had taken a couple different turns, Lift could easily be a classic action-thriller film. Instead, it feels like an episode of an old TV show called The A-Team. No matter how much danger or how many hijinks the A-Team faced, you always knew they’d survive to face more the next week.
Lift, too, has no real sense of danger or suspense. Which would be fine, except for the fact that it often seems like it desperately wants to be grittier than your grandfather’s sandpaper collection.
PEOPLE: C
This feared international art crime gang comes across more like a group of dorks who met in an after-school art crime club.
If you’re happy with Lift’s light and zany vibe, then you’ll love these performances. Billy Magnussen’s Magnus is especially hysterical. But ifyou’re yearning for something a bit edgier, you’re going to be disappointed. Especially during the handful of moments when the actors literally act as if they’re in one of those edgier films.
FILM NERD STUFF: C
The fast paced editing adds some pop.
The film gains some real velocity during its fighting and partying sequences. The scenes are cut together quickly, filling them with a playful, irreverent tone that feels in step with its intentions. You could say that these moments are where the film feels most “in the zone”.
NOT YET, BABY! (Elective Class): D
We still don’t have the next suave, international man of mystery.
Lift is produced by Kevin Hart’s production company, Hart Beat. One gets the sense that the movie has two purposes. One: to make a fun, comedic heist movie. Two: to set Kevin Hart up as a bankable lead in an edgier genre than what we’re used to seeing him in.
The problem is that these two goals don’t seem capable of co-existing. Hart shows enough flashes to prove he’s got the potential to be that type of leading man. But he needs a new ride - this isn’t the vehicle that’s going to take him to the next level. It will be interesting to see if he can find the right film to showcase this new direction.
FINAL COMMENTS:
Lift is an enjoyable film about international art crime. If you want anything more from it (and sadly, it feels like even the film wants more from itself), you may be disappointed. But if you’re ok with its lighter. amusing tone, you’ll find it’s more than a fine way to spend part of your evening.