Eddie Murphy and Pete Davidson shine in Amazon’s The Pickup, a flawed but funny heist comedy. Read our full review, highlights, and verdict.
If there’s one thing Hollywood has taught us, it’s that a heist movie doesn’t have to be revolutionary — but having good getaway drivers doesn’t hurt. In Amazon Prime Video’s new original The Pickup, we have a high-concept heist movie with a few too many clichés — but thankfully Eddie Murphy and Pete Davidson manage to get the film moving again.
While the film may never reach a full-throttle pace, the pair’s unique chemistry and comedic timing provide just enough juice to hold your attention.
So let’s take a look at what’s good, and what’s not, in The Pickup.
What Is The Pickup About?
The Pickup is a straightforward heist comedy — it features a charming con man, an unlikely crew, and a plot involving double cross and mistaken identities. The movie follows the misadventures of a group of petty criminals who come up with a plan to steal a luxury car that has much more in it than leather seats and horse power under the hood.
So at its most basic, here’s a plot synopsis:
A bunch of foolish misfits pulls off a car robbery.
Until the plan goes south when the car is tied to violent criminal elements.
So begins the chaos, as funny secrets get revealed, and laughter ensues — primarily driven by the performers’ personalities.
While the concept is one we feel like we have seen a dozen times (a cross between Snatch or Tower Heist or any other heist flick), The Pickup attempts to capitalize on a vibe of personality driven comedy.
Eddie Murphy: Still The King Of Cool Comedy
To be honest — Eddie Murphy is the reason many of us hit “Play” on this film in the first place. And he does not disappoint.
Murphy plays a long-time hustler who finds himself in, and out of, trouble. He is so unfazed in his performance here that he seems to draw on the exact same personality traits we have loved him for since Beverly Hills Cop and Coming To America.
What works in Murphy’s performance:
He brings an ownership of each scene with a veteran coolness.
He can be deadpan while other actor’s provide levity and seem to have limitless energy with the chaos around them.
He gives the hustle of these characters authenticity and grounded energy through even the zany plots.
So, in conclusion, Murphy makes the material better when the script tries to weight it down with predictable jokes and crime-show type dialogue.
Pete Davidson: The Secret Weapon You Didn’t Realize You Needed
Pete Davidson, of course, plays the chaotic millennial wildcard of the crew — all bad timing, nervous energy, and outrageous punchlines. And oddly enough, that combination works in a film like this.
The character throws some unpredicability into the mix. While some of his bits seem to be improvised (who knows, they might be), they often play better than the scripted jokes.
The reasons Davidson gets noticed are obvious:
His chemistry with Murphy feels fresh and unforced.
He brings Gen Z energy to Gen X attitude and makes audience connection.
He reduces in meaning what could have been a throw away role into a scene- stealer.
You can be sure Davidson offers some heat for a plate who needs spice.
Where The Pickup Misses the Mark
Even if your watching two great entertainers at the lead, The Pickup does not move away from its biggest fault – the screenplay wants to play it too safe.
1. Formulaic Structure
The film follows the same basic three-act structure:
Set-up (crew comes together)
Conflict (the heist goes awry)
Conclusion (unexpected twist)
There is nothing wrong with that, but the film lacks the clever twists and accomplished pacing of better films in the heist-comedy genre like Ocean’s Eleven or The Nice Guys.
2. Forgettable Supporting Characters
The rest of the crew, including the hacker, the muscle, and the guy with a van, are mere stereotypes out of a screenwriting how-to. Without enough development, their arcs become painfully predictable and forgettable.
3. Tone
What is this? A comedy? A crime caper? A buddy movie? At times, The Pickup seems confused. At times, what would otherwise be fine shifts in tone jar in sudden and unexpected ways, particularly where superfluous emotional beats are forced into scenes that don’t otherwise call for them.
Audiences: A Mixed Bag
According to early Rotten Tomatoes audience scores, viewers are a mixed bag (56% when writing this).
Fast Facts:
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 56%
IMDb Rating: 6.1/10
Streaming Rank (Amazon US Weeks of Release): #3
Some viewers laud the bipartisan, easy-to-watch appeal and chemistry of Shannon Murphy and Benjamin Davidson, while others deride the film for “lazily written” and “unoriginal themes.”
Heist Movie Enthusiast: Worth Your Time?
So, if you are:
A fan of star-driven comedies
A fan of harmless heist movies
A fan of streaming a quick movie in under 2 hours
The Pickup a chance! While not anything meaningful, the film provided some good laughs, stylish scenes, and coziness of familiar, rushed comfort — as if you are grabbing a quick burger at McDonald’s instead of dining at a fine dining restaurant.
Looking at the Bigger Picture: Amazon’s struggle for hit originals
Amazon has a penchant for investing in original films. But, The Pickup is another one for the books, joining a large list of titles that produce short-term notoriety but lack any lasting power. In the content driven streaming war, personality driven comedies like this one often rely on recognizable faces, and accounts for the trend.
This raises a burning question: Will streaming ever give us the next Ocean’s Eleven or The Italian Job, or are we doomed into getting “just okay” “stuff” with big celebrity names?
Only time will tell.
Final Verdict: Stream it or Skip it?
What is the verdict: Stream it — with consequences for expectation management.
The Pickup won’t redefine the heist genre, but with Eddie Murphy and Pete Davidson as driver’s seat, it will provide just enough laughs and charm to warrant the ride.
FAQs
1. What is The Pickup about?
The Pickup is a heist comedy movie that follows a crew of small-time crooks inadvertently on a path to steal a luxury car and get entangled in a dangerous scheme, comedy and chaos ensue.
2. Who’re the stars in The Pickup?
The leads include:
Eddie Murphy as the experienced con man;
Pete Davidson as the unpredictable wildcard.
There are supporting roles filled by a number of character actors, but with only two leads, the emphasis is firmly placed on them, and their dynamic.
3. Where is it streaming?
The Pickup is exclusively streaming on Amazon Prime Video. Access to the film is available for all subscribers in the U.S., and for select international regions as well.
4. Is The Pickup worth watching?
If you like star-studded comedies, light-hearted heists, or do you enjoy the presence of either Eddie Murphy and Pete Davidson? Then yes. You certainly won’t get Oscar-worthy writing, but you’ll get some laughs, and some entertainment.