REVIEW: LIFT

3/5

Hart Landing. 

104 Mins. Starring: Kevin Hart, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Vincent D'Onofrio, Úrsula Corberó, Kim Yoon-ji,  Billy Magnussen, Jacob Batalon, Jean Reno & Sam Worthington. Director: F. Gary Gray. On: Netflix. 

When your 'Ride Along' requested Uber, but you got stuck with 'Lift'. Streaming server Netflix knows how to follow a formula. Throw a wad of cash and passports at the biggest names in the biz, and what do you get? 'Red Notice', 'The Gray Man'. 'Heart Of Stone' etc. Remember those movies? Exactly! They only came out over the last few years, too. Sure, they're enjoyable fare, but they can be stamped next to the likes of Angelina's 'Tourist' exhibition with Johnny Depp, which became the 'Armageddon' fuel of stand-up and multiple times Golden Globe host Ricky Gervais...before he took everyone to task in THE definition of a mic-drop. N has one more trick up it's sleeve, with plenty of money in its back pocket. Make it rain for Kevin Hart. Even though, the former almost Oscar host's latest stand-up special is streaming on Peacock. The 'Reality Check' is that the 'Central Intelligence' of the 'Jumanji' Rock's best friend gives the service its feathers. No matter the hard times. So, let's still give him his flowers, like the 'Headliners Only' documentary of Christmas with Chris Rock. With this 'Lift' in an otherwise joyless January, Kevin is talking about starting the year off right.

'Don't F### This Up' on a personal journey. His 'Guide To Black History'. Netflix have handed Kevin Hart the keys to a lot of original content, from films to shows. Most recently, the buddy comedies of  'Me Time' with the Tenenbaum tracksuit of 'Spenser Confidential', Mark Wahlberg (on his own deal with the devil of a good blood and black Netflix) and 'The Man From Toronto' remake with Woody Harrelson and the best fart gag ever. The redemptive 'Fatherhood' showed Kevin's heart had another level, though. And now in his Eddie Murphy money days, the comic wants to play it straight, like he did in his riffing 'Life Story' gem with Wesley Snipes. What we have now is an epic ensemble of a heist movie that is all teach and go-go gadgets. Sure, it could never steal away from the likes of the 'Oceans' crew, and it's a little self-serious at times, but Hart still has fun. He has too much natural charm and rizz to be razzed by the standard, lacklustre blockbuster b.s. The budget on this thing screams 'Air Force One' like Harrison Ford did saying, "get off my plane." Without Hart, it's 'Space Force'. Hackers, safecrackers, sort of masters of disguises and more inside men than a promise of a Spike Lee and Denzel sequel, there's many all-stars in this line-up. But in F. Gary Gray's big picture, it's executive producer Hart that brings it all together like a team-up recruit. 

'Friday', 'The Negotiator', 'Be Cool', 'Law Abiding Citizen', 'Straight Outta Compton', 'The Fate Of The Furious' and 'The Italian Job' remake. One of the most versatile directors in Hollywood, Gary Gray has directed them all. Not to mention some of the best music videos. Ice Cube's 'It Was A Good Day', OutKast's 'Ms. Jackson' and 'Waterfalls' by TLC. Now he's chasing that with a star-studded cast. Keeping their heads ringing, 'Beauty and the Beast' and 'A Wrinkle In Time' star Gugu Mbatha-Raw continues her great run after the latest, and greatest 'Loki' series to marvel at. Speaking of which, Kingpin himself Vincent D'Onofrio echoes a great week in big-hits with this versatile hustle. Yet, here in Tokyo, it's 'Money Heist' standout star Úrsula Corberó who really, and literally pilots this picture. South Korean singer Kim Yoon-ji gives Tokyo a run for that money in this heist. Whilst 'Into The Woods' and 'Aladdin' star Billy Magnussen (who does versatile great work on the likes of 'Bride Of Spies' and Bond's 'No Time To Die') is the Hart-less comic relief (think Chris Evans in 'The Losers' with a crossbow, b#####s). And we even get to see the "man in the chair" himself, 'Spider-Man's' best friend Jacob Batalon. Sam Worthington's real life 'Avatar' and a 'Leon' legend in Jean Reno keep the big names twisting and turning like all good bank jobs. But this one joins the mile high club. You might want to stow your tray tables and carry on luggage for this one. 'Lift' takes to the skies and sticks the landing, even if, like Kevin sitting in coach, it could do with a boost. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Red Notice', 'Heart Of Stone', 'True Story'.