Lift (2024) – Movie Review
In what is another push to transform Kevin Hart from his “Big Little Man” persona into a legitimate action star, he leads a heist crew forced to work for Interpol.
Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.
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Plot Summary
Cyrus, alongside his crew, Denton, Camila, Magnus, Mi-Sun, and Luke, are international art thieves on Interpol’s radar, specifically Agent Abby Gladwell. She and Cyrus have a history, and her taking him down might be personal.
But, as Abby’s superior, Huxley, makes it clear there is a bigger fish, and Cyrus would be an asset, Abby finds herself forced to work with the man she once was trying to take down, and being back in his space leads to old feelings resurfacing.
Content Information
- Dialog: Cursing (Occasional)
- Violence: Amputation/Dismemberment, Blood, Weapon Violence (Type: Gun), General Fighting
- Sexual Content: Sexual Situations (Implied)
- Miscellaneous: Drinking
General Information
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Director(s) |
F. Gary Gray |
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Screenplay By |
Daniel Kunka |
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Based On Work By |
N/A |
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Date Released |
January 12, 2024 |
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How To Watch |
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Genre(s) |
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Film Length |
1 Hour 46 Minutes |
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Content Rating |
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Noted Characters and Cast |
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Cyrus |
Kevin Hart |
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Denton |
Vincent D’Onofrio |
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Camila |
Ursula Corbero |
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Magnus |
Billy Magnussen |
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Mi-Sun |
Yun Jee Kim |
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Luke |
Viveik Kalra |
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Abby |
Gugu Mbatha-Raw |
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Huxley |
Sam Worthington |
Character Descriptions
Please Note: This character guide is not an exhaustive list of every cast member, and character descriptions may contain what can be considered spoilers.
Cyrus (Kevin Hart)
Cyrus is the leader of the art stealing group, whose goal is to steal priceless art from the underserving.
- The actor is also known for their role in “True Story.”
Denton (Vincent D’Onofrio)
Denton is the master of disguise in Cyrus’ group, though he isn’t on point as he used to be.
Camila (Ursula Cobero)
Camila is the driver, but not exclusively of cars. Pretty much any vehicle you can think of, from planes to boats, she can maneuver with ease, and the type of skill that will push you to wonder what her background is.
Magnus (Billy Magnussen)
Magnus is the eccentric safe cracker who doesn’t like guns but does like a challenge.
- The actor is also known for their role in “Made For Love.”
Mi-Sun (Yun Jee Kim)
Mi-Sun is the hacker of the group.
Luke (Viveik Kaira)
Luke is the group’s engineer who, usually with Mi-Sun, doesn’t get too close to the action.
- The actor is also known for their role in “Three Months.”
Abby (Gugu Mbatha-Raw)
Abby is an agent for Interpol, specifically their arts theft division, whose upbringing and one notable piece of art her mother cherished being stolen, inspired her career.
- The actor is also known for their role in “The Girl Before.”
Huxley (Sam Worthington)
Huxley is Abby’s superior at Interpol, who believes in doing things by any means necessary, even if it requires a sacrifice.
- The actor is also known for their role in “Fractured.”
Review
Our Rating: Mixed (Divisive)
Highlights
While You Don’t Learn Much About Cyrus’ Team, You’ll Want To
In many ways, this should be an “On The Fence” topic because, unfortunately, the only thing we learn about Cyrus’ crew is their role, and what their crimes are keeping them from, such as family or pets. Yet, the actors give so much personality to their roles that you want to learn more.
Billy Magnussen, for example, makes you question how Cyrus met Magnus; never mind what’s his issue with guns? For Camila, how did she learn how to handle so many vehicles with the skills she has? Mi-Sun is a hacker, so how did Cyrus discover, never mind recruit her?
Unfortunately, we’re just dropped into the team without an idea of how it formed, which in some ways cuts the fat, but the more you see of each character, the more you wish we got the flavor.
On The Fence
Kevin Hart’s Journey To Being A Smooth Action Hero
While I do appreciate Kevin Hart discarding his big little man persona, it may take a while to see him as a James Bond-esque type. Granted, Mbatha-Raw is the type of actress who can do the heavy lifting and make the dynamic seem credible, but it didn’t do much for me.
If anything, it felt like, considering how thin certain characters are, that this was all about Hart trying to reach the next level as a leading man and show he doesn’t always have to be the funny guy. He can be smooth, charming, the type who can win over a woman like Abby, even with her knowing he is a criminal. Which, again, is an adjustment.
I just wish that this didn’t sometimes lean so heavily on Hart changing his persona as an actor that it felt like the heist and crew were secondary.
Good If You Like
- Heist movies
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Lift (2024) – Review
Summary
In many ways, “Lift” feels like it should be an almost passing-of-the-torch type of film. One of which is the veteran highlighting young actors who are seen as next up. But instead, the interesting characters of “Lift” and the actors who brought them to life are secondary to the known actor trying to shift their persona and make what could be a wonderful ensemble movie into a starring project.
Overall
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While You Don’t Learn Much About Cyrus’ Team, You’ll Want To - 83%
83%
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Kevin Hart’s Journey To Being A Smooth Action Hero - 74%
74%
User Review
( votes)Pros
- While You Don’t Learn Much About Cyrus’ Team, You’ll Want To
Cons
- Kevin Hart’s Journey To Being A Smooth Action Hero
