Interpol calls on a team of art thieves to prevent a group of cyberterrorists from getting their hands on a large quantity of gold.
Stealing is bad. Except in Hollywood. Moreover, films about good thieves are possibly the most important branch of the genre. heist movies.
These works, filled with impressive action scenes, elaborate plans and ordeals, generally provide good entertainment. And when the protagonists are likeable, the audience tends to rally around them. Even more so if they’re cool and calm like Danny Ocean and his gang. That of Lift doesn’t have the charisma of George Clooney, Brad Pitt and company, or Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr. and their friends, but partly manages to charm us.
This is the composed and not bundle of nerves version of Kevin Hart (Central Intelligencethe new ones Jumanji) who plays Cyrus, leader of the team. Without being bad, he loses a little of his interest when he plays this kind of role. With the exception of the brilliant Vincent D’Onofrio (Dumb Money, Full Metal Jacket), the rest of the group is rather insipid. And above all full of clichés.
Lift is also full of lines that we have the impression of having heard elsewhere. Although the dialogues of screenwriter Daniel Kunka (12 Rounds) are elementary and the mechanics of its plot are too complicated, its story has rhythm. The production of F. Gary Gray (The Italian Job, The Fate of the Furious) certainly has something to do with it, even if its camera effects are often more flashy than spectacular. The last act at altitude still generates a good dose of adrenaline.
Cyrus’ gang attempts a mid-air heist at the behest of an Interpol executive (angry Sam Worthington), who wants to prevent the payment of half a billion in gold bars to a dangerous criminal (futile Jean Reno) to cyberterrorists. Agent Abby Gladwell (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), who has been trying to nail Cyrus for a while, is also on the mission.
In addition to good action scenes, the dynamic between the actress seen in the series Loki And Black Mirror and Kevin Hart is what works best in Lift. Their characters court each other in a fun and believable way, which lightens the story and makes it more inviting.
The soundtrack by Dominic Lewis and Guillaume Roussel resembles that of a travel agency advertisement – although the film takes us “visiting” several cities. At least, Busy Earnin’from Jungle, accompanies the credits.
Despite its many flaws, Lift can be a pleasant sight at home.
Action
Lift (VF: During the flight)
F. Gary Gray
With Kevin Hart, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Vincent D’Onofrio
1:44 a.m.
On Netflix