The Pickup (2025) - Film Review

      The Pickup, 2025.

      Directed by Tim Story.

      Featuring Eddie Murphy, Pete Davidson, Keke Palmer, Eva Longoria, Marshawn Lynch, Joe Anoa’i, Andrew Dice Clay, Ismael Cruz Cordova, Jack Kesy, Jef Holbrook, and Ray Murphy Jr.

      SYNOPSIS:

      A standard cash collection quickly escalates into a perilous chase when two incompatible armored truck drivers are ambushed by merciless criminals with schemes that go beyond just the money.

      The Pickup, directed by Tim Story (Barbershop), showcases the dynamic between veteran Eddie Murphy and contemporary star Pete Davidson, resulting in a delightful mix of comedic chemistry. The film feels reminiscent of 90s action comedies that would have been exhilarating to watch in theaters, yet it has unfortunately been confined to streaming platforms.

      Russell (Murphy) is on the verge of retirement and is primarily focused on returning home to his long-time wife Natalie (Eva Longoria) in time to celebrate their anniversary. Partnered with rookie and aspiring officer Travis (Davidson) is frustrating due to his clumsy antics and fixated sexual thoughts, as well as his emotional distress over failing a police exam and feeling as though he won't live up to his family's legacy of officers. However, this isn't what jeopardizes their plans.

      Shortly after starting their lengthy cash collection route, Russell and Travis become targets of an on-road robbery led by ambitious criminal Zoe (Keke Palmer) and her crew (played by Jack Kesy and Ismael Cruz Cordova), who aim to hijack the armored truck and impersonate the scheduled driver transporting $60,000,000 in Atlantic City. The film features an expertly executed chase scene, with characters leaping and clinging to vehicles, money flying around triggering dye explosions, and amusing exchanges between the two leads. Although not entirely useless, Travis's mathematical skills play a crucial role in their predicament, despite making him seem uncool to his law enforcement family. Unfortunately, his proficiency in math is somewhat sidelined in the second act, missing an opportunity to develop his character further, though Pete Davidson still makes the best of his part.

      To elaborate, Eddie Murphy’s wise professionalism mixed with his expected rawness and sarcastic wit perfectly contrasts with Pete Davidson's character's naivety. It's worth noting that Travis is directly responsible for their predicament, and that impulsive foolishness is something viewers will uncover on their own. The important thing is they form a hilariously mismatched duo that carries this otherwise conventional film.

      Russell and Travis share little in common aside from their mutual disdain for their demanding boss, Clark (Andrew Dice Clay), with whom they engage in verbal battles over the radio. They also plot physical pranks against him, while Travis probes Russell about why he hasn't left his job to start a bed and breakfast with his wife, stemming from a fear of breaking from his long-standing routine. When Travis isn't causing trouble, he either makes ridiculous remarks, fails to grasp Russell's outdated references, or bluntly expresses his libido.

      Eventually, Travis begins to develop feelings for Zoe, who not only stays on their trail but also gains the leverage to blackmail him and Russell into collaborating with her. This premise is absurd on multiple levels, but that absurdity adds to The Pickup’s overall charm. The film also delivers satisfactory action that serves its modest intentions (though one wishes the Atlantic City setting could have been utilized more in the final act).

      Director Tim Story (from a screenplay by Kevin Burrows and Matt Mider) revisits a familiar genre where, despite having less successful projects like Ride Along, he finds a successful balance between absurdity and excitement, even if it never truly feels like the characters are in significant peril. The Pickup concludes with a self-aware joke hinting at future encounters between the two main characters, making the possibility of a sequel appealing.

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★

      Robert Kojder