Courtesy of Netflix © 2023
Making his 4th Netflix Original Film in the last three years, actor/comedian/producer Kevin Hart is back on the platform with his latest venture, Lift, a heist-filled action “comedy” helmed by The Fate of the Furious director F. Gary Gray (The Italian Job, Straight Outta Compton) from a script by 12 Rounds writer Daniel Kunka.
Making good on his Netflix megadeal he signed in early 2021, Hart has now made three starring films under his HartBeat Productions banner after a pair of critically panned films, Me Time opposite Mark Wahlberg & The Man from Toronto alongside Woody Harrelson, dropped in 2022. Lift is also co-produced by The Batman director Matt Reeves’ company 6th & Idaho, which also has an overall deal with Netflix.
The film follows a group of master art thieves led by Cyrus Whitaker (Hart) who live by a code of stealing art before it lands in the “wrong” hands. After their “master of disguise” Denton (Vincent D’Onofrio) is caught by Interpol agent Abby Gladwell (Gugu Embatha-Raw), it seems like the group will finally be taken down. However, Agent Gladwell is approached by her Interpol colleague Agent Huxley with a new proposition she reluctantly accepts: hire the team to intercept 100 million dollars in gold bullion being transported from London to Zurich on 777 passenger flight as to not fall into the hands of the terrorist cell Leviathan via their broker Jorgensen (Jean Reno). Blackmailed into accepting the job over jail time, Cyrus and crew, alongside Agent Gladwell, mount up for the biggest “lift” of their lives.
LIFT (L to R) Kevin Hart as Cyrus, Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Abby and Billy Magnussen as Magnus in Lift. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2023
Lift feels like the next step in Hart’s evolutionary plan to become the latest unlikely action star. Following his earlier action-focused films like his team-ups with The Rock (Central Intelligence, Jumanji franchise), his meta “Die Hart” series, and his hitman mistaken identification movie The Man from Toronto, Hart has decided to take himself largely out of the comedy scenes and mold himself into a more strident & skilled leading man with a romantic interest and more grounded sensibilities. While much of Hollywood may think this to be Hart going against what makes him so popular and likable with a wide range of audiences, don’t worry … Producer Kevin Hart thinks it’s a great idea.
But does it work? Not really, no. Trying to be more Danny Ocean than fish out of water, Hart doesn’t seem to bring the level of confident bravado or stately charm to seemingly lead a group of thieves, get the girl, and outflank everyone involved by film’s end. While not altogether his fault, he also doesn’t have much chemistry with his former flame Agent Gladwell, whose backstory includes a 5 day rendezvous with Cyrus in Paris when they were both under false identities. With many, many, MANY versions of this type of reluctant romance in many, many, MANY films like this coming before them, you would hope that the blueprint for its success would be set before them and carry their previous personas in previous projects to guide them on a productive and engrossing pairing. However, much like the film itself, their interactions lack any flavor or excitement and limp along to their inevitable and obvious end. The film even goes so far to have them create a diversion where they have to make the noises of lovemaking in an airplane bathroom which is sealed with a passionate kiss and YET that is completed with ZERO sex appeal and only a small trace of humor NOT coming from Hart himself. God forbid anyone try to engage the audience with what they probably came to see.
As for the plot, Lift somehow delivers a story that somehow talks over its audience’s heads while also being mostly lifeless & lacking joy. Action “comedies” (yes, I will keep putting this in quotes for this one) should have a verve and an energy that makes you want to be a part of the ride, criminal or otherwise. “Being bad never felt so good” or “catching the bad guys” should be the mantra. Lift has very little zip or zeal with a quite grave set of circumstances to navigate around (they’re “saving lives”). If you want a movie that prioritizes convincing you to lose your faith in government entities and join a morally ambiguous heist crew that turns the only “good” person in the film against its family’s belief system, then this one’s for you. But if you came to see your favorite comedian revel in the joys of being bad for the good guys, you are kind of mistaken.
While Hart may have sacrificed his more outgoing personality, there were a couple of characters that at least tried to give the film some levity. Game Night and No Time To Die co-star, Billy Magnussen, as safe cracker Magnus (naturally) gives peppy dad humor energy while he tries to exude any excitement about pulling off the heist of the century. Tech whiz pilot Camila, played by Money Heist star Ursula Corbero, relishes in some opportunities to spin a plane around at 700 miles per hour. Informant dirtbag Harry, performed by former BAFTA Breakout Artist David Proud, snarks and deceives his way into making good people feel bad, especially about his handicap. And, finally, veteran screen giant Vincent D’Onofrio (Daredevil, Law & Order: Criminal Intent) feels like a kid at camp being the world’s worst “master of disguise” who always looks completely recognizable no matter how much effort he puts in.
LIFT (L to R) Oli Green as Eric Molten, Kevin Hart as Cyrus, and Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Abby in Lift. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2023
Overall, LIFT tries to elevate Kevin Hart into a more prestigious version of the action comedy trope but largely takes a dive. Occasional moments of humor and hand-to-hand action can’t bring this lethargic vehicle in for a successful landing. While I may not always love Kevin Hart as a comedian or comedic actor, I would gladly take more of him trying to have fun in a movie that wants to do the same rather than endure his appetite for a more serious leading role.
Watch Lift on Netflix If You Like
- The Man From Toronto
- Die Hart
- Central Intelligence
- Me Time
- Ride Along
- Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle
MVP of Lift
The Needle Drops
If the performances and the plot don’t want to always have a good time, leave it to former music video directing legend F. Gary Gray to bring out the big music guns to liven the mood! With tracks ranging from modern rap gold like “Edamame” from bbno$ to more soul/funk vibes from Silk Sonic and Curtis Mayfield, even the most visually and emotionally bland movie montage moments can be brought to life. The soundtrack also features “Phantom” by Shirt and “Busy Earnin” by Jungle.
Producer Kevin Hart needs to have less faith in actor Kevin Hart in pulling off less overtly funny roles in what should be more spirited and energetic versions of the classic action comedy genre we all enjoy.
