Getting caught in a crisis with Travis, played by Pete Davidson, in Prime Video’s heist comedy The Pickup would be a nightmare. This incompetent armored truck guard consistently struggles under pressure. In the film directed by Tim Story, Travis mistakenly points a gun at a bank patron, believing she is attempting to rob him. In reality, Zoe, played by Keke Palmer, is simply trying to give him her phone number.
Russ, portrayed by Eddie Murphy, picks up on Travis’s ineptitude, making their partnership during a work shift particularly frustrating for him. With an anniversary dinner planned, Russ is eager to finish his shift on time, but their grumpy manager (Andrew Dice Clay) assigns them a challenging route. Just when everything seems manageable, they encounter armed robbers who present them with a stark choice: surrender the cargo and survive or resist and face deadly consequences.
The Pickup
The Bottom Line
A jerky ride.
Release date: Wednesday, Aug. 6
Cast: Eddie Murphy, Pete Davidson, Keke Palmer, Eva Longoria, Ismael Cruz Cordova, Jack Kesy
Director: Tim Story
Screenwriters: Kevin Burrows, Matt Mider
Rated R, 1 hour 34 minutes
Based on a script by Kevin Burrows and Matt Mider, Story creates a comedic thriller that juggles various plot elements to reach a somewhat satisfying conclusion. Featuring a strong comedic ensemble, including Murphy, Davidson, and Palmer, the chemistry among the leads makes their increasingly improbable circumstances more believable.
Davidson and Murphy share great comedic chemistry as the bumbling rookie and the seasoned driver, while Palmer and Longoria also deliver strong performances. Longoria, known for Desperate Housewives, brings much-needed energy to the second half of the film, which struggles under its comedic weight. Although the leads bring vibrant performances, the film loses momentum quickly as it progresses.
Confronted by the robbers, Russ grapples with his sense of duty versus his desire to get home before retirement, while Travis is eager to prove himself to his officer family. Surprisingly, both attempt to defend the truck, with Travis showcasing impressive driving skills and Russ revealing hidden combat abilities.
After a chaotic confrontation, it’s revealed that one of the robbers is Zoe, who insists on robbing the truck to obtain cash. Surprisingly complex, Zoe’s character adds depth to the conflict, drawing parallels to class struggles portrayed in similar comedic heist films. Story successfully orchestrates thrilling action sequences complete with explosive stunts and intense musical tracks, although the film falls into predictable territory.
As Zoe drags Russ and Travis into her plan to rob a casino, the narrative occasionally takes on comedic buddy film vibes. While moments of humor abound, the stakes remain low, with repetitive jokes and simplistic character arcs contributing to a lack of engagement. Despite this, the film manages to evoke real emotions, particularly when Natalie, Russ’s wife, becomes entangled in the heist, adding a fresh dynamic to the plot.
