Lift (I) (2024) User Reviews

You can't ask questions

[FeastMode · 7/10 · 12 January 2024]

If you are frequently critical of things not making sense in movies, Lift is not for you. Me personally, if I'm not enjoying a movie, I become critical of all its flaws. But if the movie is entertaining me, I can overlook a lot.

And that's exactly what happened with Lift. I won't argue about how "good" it is. But I was thoroughly entertained. It's a fun movie with charming actors playing likeable characters. The action scenes are all enjoyable. And it has a solid musical score.

Lift was a pleasant surprise. I mostly hate straight-to-streaming movies. I just came off of an abysmal one with Amazon's Role Play. Luckily this was endlessly more enjoyable.

(1 viewing, 1/12/2024)

A Light-Hearted Heist with a One-Time Charm

[andrejsboka · 6/10 · 12 January 2024]

"LIFT," a new heist movie from 2024, delivers a light-hearted and straightforward robbery story reminiscent of classics like "The Italian Job" and "Ocean's Eleven," albeit without the same level of charisma.

This film is a fun, one-time watch with a joyfully unrealistic approach and a clear happy ending. The acting in "LIFT" is simple and fitting for the genre. The villain's role, while episodic, lacks complex scripting or depth. The plot is quite straightforward, lacking the intricacies and captivating scenes that often define heist movies.

The film is good for a casual evening watch but doesn't have the rewatchability factor. The actors perform pleasantly, and while it incorporates comedy, the number of jokes is limited, and they're sprinkled throughout a basic script. The simplicity of the storyline means it's devoid of cunning twists or complexity.

The ending of "LIFT" is satisfying, bringing a sense of justice as those who were wronged find a way to get back at their deceivers. Everyone ends up together, creating a feel-good conclusion to the story. In summary, "LIFT" is a decent heist movie that's enjoyable for a one-time watch but lacks the elements that would make it a genre standout. It's a simple, easy-to-digest film suitable for a light-hearted movie night.

Badly done unrealistic movie

[isicknewton · 5/10 · 27 January 2024]

I am appalled by the low standard unrealistic stunts, actions and plotline. I wish it could have done little more realistic plot and acting. What a waste of talents.

The movie got all the trademark of a great heist plot and yet spoiled it badly.

Making a good movie is about making a plausible technology unless its classified as a superhero or a science fiction action. Otherwise, its an enjoyable movie to kill time.

I wish there is will not be any sequel to increase my isery even more. Now I lost word to make any more comments because movie so painful to describe how i felt. I wish its not the worst movie i ever seen.

Oh my gold !!!!!

[searchanddestroy-1 · 12 January 2024]

Poor F Gary Gray, who has definitely reached the bottom of the pool. He can't get lower, unless to dig under this pool.... He who was a so promising director; remember the terrific SET IT OFF, back in 1997, starring the outstanding Queen Latifah, and the awesome LAW ABIDING CITIZEN, back in 2010, a thriller where the lead was soooo ambivalent. Yes, F Gary Gray offered us the best expectations - I nearly forgot THE NEGOTIATOR - but since THE ITALIAN JOB, which was a rip-off of OCEAN'S ELEVEN - both films already remakes of sixties heist classic movies - since ITALIAN JOB, F Gary Gray begun to sink.... Here, I repeat, it's pure garbage, but it will be far enough for popcorn generation expecting action - but not violence - gunfights - but no blood - and a blooding f.....happy ending for sissies. I am a great heist films lover, but not of this kind, with plenty of USELESS humor. I admit though, that even in the sixties, the heist films also had humor. But it was the sixties, with their charm.....Forget it.

I didn't expect to like this as much as I did...

[jamestappleton · 7/10 · 19 January 2024]

Honestly, I think this is one of Kevin Harts strongest films.

Is it God Father 2 or Shawshank? No... but it's not trying to be.

This film did two things for me, and it did them well.

1: It was a pleasant way to spend a couple of hours. Where I didn't have to think, or even worry that I could guess the entire plot to the film immediately... because it was just fun.

2: Time and time again I'd say to myself "I haven't seen that guy in anything for ages!... how'd they swing that!?"..

• Jean Reno, what an absolute treat!

• Vincent D'Onofrio, always a pleasure
• Sam Worthington... good for him.

Also, at a time where VFX has been extremely hit and miss... the work in this film was incredible... unexpectedly so. Great work Andy Walker and the team.

light forgettable escapist time

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 14 January 2024]

Cyrus (Kevin Hart) leads a team of high tech thieves. His one-time fling Abby (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) is the pursuing Interpol art agent. Her superior Huxley (Sam Worthington) offers him immunity if he steals $500 million in gold. Evil criminal Jorgenson (Jean Reno) has to transfer that much to hacker group Leviathan to take over the water infrastructure of the world.

Kevin Hart is being cool Kevin Hart instead of the usual manic clown Kevin Hart. I like this for him. Generally, I like most of the cast. On the other hand, the story is one of those written by A. I. It has ridiculous turns, ridiculous technobabble, and a ridiculous caper. As long as one is willing to live with the ridiculous, this is a light forgettable escapist time.

The True Heist Was Stealing My Time

[cmconnexion · 4/10 · 13 January 2024]

There is nothing like sitting in front of a big screen TV, with popcorn and drink to watch a good old heist movie. Sorry, folks. This ain't it.

A crack team of professional criminals, each with their unique set of skills, plan to execute a high stakes, high danger, high reward job, though I found it difficult to care whether or not the team pulled it off.

The characters were two-dimensional, and lacked any endearing qualities, so I wasn't invested in them in whether or not they even succeeded. The banter between them was a futile attempt to make them seem likable to an audience, but lacked any true qualities to empathize with. After watching the movie, there is not one character name I can recall.

The characters were never really given a true chance to shine, and the underutilization of highly respected actors such as Vincent Donofrio and Jean Reno was the true crime in this movie. If the Kevin Hart character's exposition of his intelligence was scaled back somewhat, then it may have allowed two screen legends like Donofrio and Reno some room to move and give this film some substance.

LIFT was a reworked copy of another F. Gary Gray movie from 2003. Hints: Both have a boat chase through the canals in Venice. Both involve near impenetrable safes. Both safes contained bars of gold. Both involve a safe switch. Both have the lead female character punching an unlikable person in the face at the end.

The CGI was overdone and completely unconvincing. Some practical effects would not only have been cheaper, but would have sold the action with far more realism.

I am starved for a great action flick, or even just a good, memorable movie. This wasn't one of them. I wonder how long I'll be going hungry for quality entertainment in 2024?

A good crime caper

[LetsReviewThat26 · 6/10 · 13 January 2024]

It's hard to see Kevin hart in a serious role, and here it was. But here's the thing. I actually feel he did well in this, sure his character had some usual hard manarisums but mostly he was pretty impressive. In this movie he plays Cyrus a leader of a group that like to steal paintings and we get introduced to them while in italy trying to get an nft. Cyrus old girlfriend is a Interpol agent and wants them to do the impossible. They have to steal gold from a plane so that leon the professional doesn't get it. Also on his team are. Bully Magnuson as original name Magnus his the safe expert. Usual corbelo from money heist and is a flight expert. Kim Yoon ji as hacker. Mi son and Vincent defanio as a not so good disguise expert. A good team that's made of two others also and I think this cast works and as a heist movie it was as entertaining as it needed to be and was a pretty fun watch.

Netflix just can't do it

[john-lancia-1 · 3/10 · 13 January 2024]

All that money, all that talent, all that distribution. The only thing Netflix's movie making adventure lack is heart.

Like most of their other offerings, this apparent movie lacks soul, spirit, whatever you want to call it. Its not there.

They spent a fortune on the talent and the production values, but apparently they don't care much about the actual script.

F. Gary Gray has clearly decided that he'd rather have a paycheque than make a good movie. This stinker continues along the same lines as everything else that he's made since the Italian Job.

Seriously, this movie is so bad I wanted to call up Netflix customer service and ask for my subscription fee back. Oh wait, they don't have any customer service.

Bad movie. Not even suitable for when you're stoned.

Entertaining and fun heist flick with a decent twist

[CallieHowser · 7/10 · 14 January 2024]

I enjoyed this movie much more than I thought I would, and it made for a fun, entertaining Sunday afternoon watch. It was a decently fresh take on the ever-popular heist-style storyline with an entertaining cast of characters. It certainly doesn't deserve the bad reviews; it's not trying to be 'Citizen Kane'.

The core heist group genuinely meshed well (you could believe that they actually liked each other and had worked together successfully before), and the diversity of the crew felt both natural and refreshing (as it wasn't just the same old tired tropes being rehashed again). I don't think I've ever seen Kevin Hart this chilled out or calm in a movie, but it does work, and there's even a nice twist in the plot that most people won't see coming.

The story itself is (relatively) free of plot holes...although the team's earpieces have an extremely impressive range in one scene towards the end. The only complaint I have is that it should have been made clearer if the 'deal' that the heist crew made with Interpol was actually honoured when the crew pulled their heist off...but it's implied that it is. Other than that, this movie is a fun watch that doesn't take itself too seriously, and doesn't overstay it's welcome.

It's the worst movie you will watch this year

[JurijFedorov · 3/10 · 15 January 2024]

Acting: 2 Camera work: 6 Editing: 4 Budget: 7 Story: 3 Theme: 2 Pure entertainment factor: 3 Video quality: 8 Special effects: 3 Pacing: 3 Suspension of disbelief: 1 Non-cringe factor: 1 Lack of flashbacks: 8

If you told me this movie was written in 2 weeks and then filmed and edited the same month I would actually believe you. It's obviously a movie Netflix ordered and the whole team behind it just delivered something lazy that's technically a movie yet has absolutely no soul. The actors are not even trying here. The CGI is dirt cheap. They lazily speak their lines in scenes that clearly were one-shot scenes with no retries. This also means there are zero connections between the actors. They may as well have been sitting alone in their room reading out lines. The love interest delivers the worst performance I have seen in the last year. And her and Kevin Hart have absolutely no chemistry. All their scenes are meant to be overly emotional and romantic. Yet it's utter cringe that doesn't work for a single second.

Obviously the trailer makes it out to be a fun low-brow comedy. Of course there is not a single comedic scene here. It's not a comedy. Rather it's just a bunch of silly badly written scenes. It seldom feels like there is a connection between scenes. It reminds me of Now You See Me 2. Just a bunch of obnoxious and loud scenes creating drama by being over the top at every moment with no clear story anywhere. There is no logic here. It starts out with a dramatic heist where they have technology that can start a fake fire alarm and time the moment the firemen arrive down to the second. It's just nonsense magic used to rob and escape. The whole initial heist is illogical. The main heist is nonsense too.

First heist they fake kidnap a guy who made an NFT then use the media fanfare around the kidnapping to sell the NFT for $89M. We are just dreaming up magical numbers here. Also, the guy was gone for maybe a single night. No one thought he was just out partying as was the actual case? He also had his phone on him so cops could track him down and parents could call him yet he never seems to notice there is anything wrong. And the media somehow writes the story right away even though everyone saw where he went.

Main heist is them trying to steal $1bn worth of gold from a passenger plane. Because in this magical universe passenger planes transport a billion worth of gold letting 2 different criminal gangs on the plane. With weapons, a fake bomb, and various tools. They seem to just walk into places and steal millions while smiling and having fun. And the movie never explains how it happens. As long as the scenes are flashy everyone is satisfied. They can just explain away anything by showing some magical tech doing it.

The main plot is about a terrorist leader killing thousands of people worldwide to shorten stocks and get rich. And even though everyone knows exactly what he is doing, who works for him, and what disaster events he created they are unable to do anything about him. He has killed people all over the world so half the planet likely wants him dead. But somehow they are unable to even create a new law to arrest him. Or just do something illegal like bring him to Guantanamo or kidnap him and bring him to some military base in Africa or the Middle East as is often done with people suspected of terrorism. Heck, these cases often even involved illegal torture by CIA. In what world could this guy live openly in the West? Of course you may think you can suspend your disbelief and still enjoy it. But that's not the issue here. It's that there is no story either way. There is no story to follow here even if you are a little kid ready to jump into any storyline no matter how silly. It's still just a collection of badly acted scenes with no humor. The whole robbery storyline is not even explained clearly, it's just told to us via a bit of exposition.

No one should watch this movie. No one will enjoy this movie. It's not just lazy. This is clearly something made for Netflix in no time just for some cheap profit. As always we can't really blame the CGI artists working for basically no money 60 hours a week. Everyone else should feel horrible shame including us viewers. Kevin Hart may have ruined his career with this.

Can't understand the haters of this film

[hawescarol · 8/10 · 20 January 2024]

Yes it's a bit formulaic. Yes it's been done before. But I found this film very watchable, enjoyable, and with some subtle humour. It's good old fashioned heist fun! Seriously people, if you hate something that much, use your on/off switch - you all have one!

This is an adventure during which a team of thieves are tasked to steal a fortune in gold, by interpol, under the promise of having their criminal pasts erased. Of course, things don't go to plan and they have to get creative, but this is enjoyable, and a little far fetched at times, fun, but hell, give it a go. Sit back, and just enjoy.

Not Bad

[polsixe · 7/10 · 13 January 2024]

A team theft caper movie, not exactly original but reasonably well done. Hart plays it straight with little mugging or hamming it up, his co-stars follow suit. Biggish names D'Onofrio and Reno have little to do but say a few lines. MBatha Raw is an actress on the rise. Good to see Sam Worthington something other than Avatar. The other team cast were competent unknowns. Screenwriters have a vague idea of NATO and Interpol. CGI and SFX were a a little cheap and silly but overall the movie moved along well and some amusing moments. Friday night snowstorm flick filled the time nicely. Not a 10 but a good 7.

An insult to cinema!

[djrmc24 · 1/10 · 14 January 2024]

Lift is the latest Netflix exclusive movie of Kevin Hart's and it's bad. Not just a little bad but I mean really bad. It's very uninspired and it seems no one involved really wanted to put much effort into this movie. From the very weak acting, cookie cutter script/story, and very bad CGI, Lift is a very difficult film to get through. In fact after the first 15-30 minutes I wanted to turn it off so bad. Kevin Hart who is usually funny is not once funny in this film. I'm a sucker for heist films but this was just not enjoyable at all. What is sad is the cast here have all been involved in much better projects before. Maybe they were doing Kevin Hart a favor for appearing in this movie. Even though Title of the movie is so generic. Lift never gets off the ground but instead crashes and burns. Lift gets a rock bottom low score of 1 out of 10 stars.

Fun imitation of a heist film.

[tokyo3-156-554652 · 6/10 · 12 January 2024]

Not great but fun. Decenct enough but I thought the film struggled til the 3rd Act. The connecting scenes could have used better hooks. It terms of the genres it borrows from it's the shallow end of the pool. But splashing in the shallow end can be fun too. Gugu Mbatha-Raw (so in love with her now) has the only interesting character arc and she carries it well as she's fun to watch. But the shallow end of the pool prevents her role from being great. Script could have used another pass to elevate it, so the actors could've had some real juicy roles to bite onto, but we're in the shallow end of the pool so there you go.

good action

[halrgk · 6/10 · 13 January 2024]

This film was obviously not going to be a great film. There were a lot of flawes in the movie.

1. i love kevin hart, he is very funny, however he doesn't fit in a serious action film. It is very weird seeing him potray that sort of character that we haven't seen.

2. it was very predictable and that made me lowered my rating for the movie.

3. some of the acting was a bit off, their were some actors who played there role well, however some didn't.

Positives 1. I thought the music was great and it suited a fun action movie 2. The action sequences were great, i liked all the fighting and plane scenes and that made me want give a film a higher rating.

Either it's AI or writers are so bad these days

[CurbedEnthusiasm · 1/10 · 12 January 2024]

Either this movie was written by AI using all the cliches, tropes and phrases that are decided by a committee, or writers are getting even worse these days. Horrible movie. It felt so generic. If I looked up generic in a dictionary about Hollywood I'd expect to see this movie. Everything about it feels planned out to meet some checklist of a producers notes. Zero surprises, zero fun, zero enthusiasm. From the acting to the dialogue to the plot, it feels like we've all seen this movie before. Even some of the actors are playing the exact same role as their previous movies. Dont waste your time if you're reading this. I'm saving you a part of your life you won't get back.

Heist comedy that is entertaining with the action but flat with its humor.

[cruise01 · 7/10 · 17 January 2024]

3.5 out of 5 stars.

Lift is a pretty fair heist comedy film that is about a group of thieves that steal expensive art from people who dont deserve them. The plot follows an interpol recruiting them to steal from a dangerous man to stop help from causing destruction.

Plot is okay and formulaic. It is nothing memorable that sticks after it ends. The cast ensemble is great. Kevin Hart doing something different and bit serious is a start but did seem out of place. Rest of the cast is good as well.

The action sequences are decent. It tries to put you on the edge of your seat with action having the characters fighting on a free fall plane. And the director tries to make it fun like one of his previous heist films like the italian job. At least that film was an improvement. This film however falls flat with its humor. While it is trying to be fun. The visual effects are cheesy with the plane sequences of free diving or landing.

Overall, it is an action heist film that lacks the fun and iffy cgi. But it is still worth the entertainment.

3.9/10 No Humor No Drama No Story and... No Lift

[WatchAndSmile · 3/10 · 13 January 2024]

I found it boring. Boring dialog, boring actions, felt very low budget in many ways, from camerawork to lighting to music to script to directing. Despite low action, it was shot in 24p( standard horrible way) but in a way that introduced a lot of blur) again, nice attempts at panning, but failed on editing or the proper cameras or both.

The script is pretty bland. A predictable story we've seen in TV shows and movies 100X. Some parts of the script made no sense at all. Feels like some soap opera writer who decided to create an action, but failed to fact check everything.

Felt like an episode of a tv show that ran 45minutes too long... Now, if they would've removed 45minutes of useless content there would be an ok 6.3/10 TV show.

BTDT but this is still fun

[doppleganger19692 · 6/10 · 18 January 2024]

Recognizing that this movie has been done before - "The Italian Job" (both versions), "Tower Heist", and even the "Mission: Impossible" and "Fast & Furious" franchises - "Lift" is still a worthy entry with some 21st Century touches, and enough "how are they going to do it?" suspense to make the denouement worth the wait. As pointed out by other reviewers there isn't much chemistry between the characters, and little is said to indicate how the gang came together (or why they have such allegiance to each other), but I applaud Kevin Hart for eschewing his usual manic schtick (though he is very good at it) for a more laid back serious performance. One of my yardsticks for measuring a motion picture's value is "Was I glad I spent that time?" In this case I was. In fact, I am looking forward to seeing it again.

Made as a tax write-off?!!

[timlittman3506 · 1/10 · 12 January 2024]

I knew exactly what to expect before I started watching. I put my brain in a drawer, suspended reality and began. Ten minutes in and I resorted to contemplating what I have done wrong in my life to warrant this film being made, let alone being made available to watch. It looks pretty. That's it. Awful acting. Cliched speech. Rubbish CGI. I don't pay for Netflix. My partner does. I cancelled my subscription last year because they only make dog-do shows and films. And this is the top of the heap. I'm a fan of apocalyptic films - the ones where the world ends. I longed for a meteor to smash into the planet to end my misery. I'd rather watch my nan in the shower than watch 5 mins of this film.

Why the bad reviews??

[nathanmanson · 8/10 · 13 January 2024]

I don't know why people hate on Netflix movies and Kevin hart movies so bad. People have a serious vendetta against them. No matter how good the film is they will says it's bad. Most of the people don't even give it a chance.

This movie is a classic action packed heist movie with a tasty twist at the end. It does exactly what it says on the tin, how could you hate that??

I always rate movies on how much I enjoy them and I really enjoyed watching this. The time flew by and it was just a really enjoyable watch, with some really big name actors in the cast. Don't get me wrong I've seen some bad Netflix movies but this definitely isn't one of them.

Good enough

[pauljraab · 6/10 · 14 January 2024]

Would I be happy if I paid to see this in a theater? Probably not but it's not a "theater" movie. It's a Saturday night on the couch movie, a better option than network or reality TV. Is it formulaic? Yes. Predictable? Yes. Implausible? Yes! But it's engaging enough that I never got up to make snacks or check my IPad for something more entertaining and has good moments. Suspend expectations of realism or physics and just go along for the ride. I don't believe anyone thought this would be award winning art when it was in production, it's just a family friendly, fun diversion to go with popcorn on a Saturday night.

Formulaic By the Number Heist Movie

[Marc_Action · 4/10 · 12 January 2024]

Have we not seen this type of heist film a million times before? Bad guys catch a break from law enforcement only if they do the police's dirty work for them with a big heist or job. Only for the criminals to steal the prized, priceless artifact (or the loot) at the end and then they get away with it.

Lift is no different. If we were to combine Ocean's 11 with the Fast & Furious franchise, then Lift would be that end product. Only Kevin Hart isn't even as charming as George Clooney or as smooth as Brad Pitt. Dare I say even Vin Diesel is better casted in these types of roles than Kevin Hart. Was Hart terrible? No. But he certainly did not match the acting of his counterpart and love interest, Gugulethu Sophia Mbatha-Raw, who I feel was wasted in her by-the-numbers Interpol agent-turned criminal a la Brian O'Conner from F&F films. She looked stunning though as always.

Jean Reno plays the bad guy but, seriously, we're so used to seeing him in these types of films that his presence in the film holds no weight. He's a decent actor and he's typecasted for these types of roles because he plays them well. BUT, again, it just seemed like more of the same with him as the bad guy in a heist or espionage film now where I can't even get invested in the plot cause I'm so tired of seeing him in these roles.

Anyway, Lift itself was not that bad but it's biggest sin is we have seen this plot seems like 1,000,000 times before to the point where it just gets boring. I will probably forget all about this movie by the end of the week.

One bright spot is F Gary Gary did a great job shooting the film. For the most part, it looks great. The opening scenes of Venice were breathtaking and almost makes up for the rest of the film. But the plot to highjack a plane full of gold instead of doing it on the street is just so dumb and implausible that it makes the movie dead on arrival.

Lift: A Heist Comedy with a Hart-y Twist

[abphadore · 7/10 · 14 January 2024]

Kevin Hart takes the lead in the Netflix movie "Lift," delivering a mix of heist intrigue and comedic antics that echoes films like Ocean's Eleven and The Italian Job. The storyline follows Cyrus (Kevin Hart), chosen by Interpol to lead a mission stealing half a billion dollars worth of gold from an international terrorist. Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Abby, an Interpol agent and love interest, provides a balancing presence to Kevin Hart's energetic performance.

Billy Magnussen adds to the mix as Magnus, the safe cracker, injecting humor with his comic laughter and quirky contributions to the crew. Ursula Corbero as Camila, the pilot, and K-Pop star Kim Yoon-ji as the hacker offer their talents, though their roles could have been more expansive.

While the ensemble cast impresses, the film falters in giving enough space to the antagonist, Jorgenson (Jean Reno), to establish his menace. Limited screen time hinders the development of a compelling motivation for the audience to root against him. Jacob Batalon's cameo, though good, leaves a feeling that it could have been utilized more effectively.

Despite its shortcomings, "Lift" emerges as a good heist film for a weekend watch, especially with family. It blends action, humor, and a touch of romance, providing entertainment as we embark on a new year of releases. While it may not top lists like some of Kevin Hart's other projects, it succeeds in delivering a fun and engaging experience that will likely find its audience and make a mark in the streaming landscape.