Did Kevin Hart Truly Fail to Lift Audience Hearts?
Kevin Hart’s latest endeavor, “Lift,” directed by F. Gary Gray, arrived on the Netflix streaming platform, promising audiences a blend of comedy and heist thrills. Despite an impressive cast and an enticing premise, critics who had the opportunity to preview the film ahead of its release have expressed varied opinions on whether this action-comedy lives up to expectations.
Plot Overview: In “Lift,” Kevin Hart assumes the role of Cyrus, a mastermind leading a crew in a daring $500 million heist during an international flight. The film aims to deliver a fusion of humor and action within a concise 100-minute runtime.
Critical Reception:
- Molly Edwards of GamesRadar: Molly Edwards provides a somewhat positive review, commending Hart’s unexpectedly subdued performance in a formulaic yet entertaining action flick. Awarding the film 3 stars out of 5, she acknowledges its conventional nature but deems it a decent option for a relaxed evening of Netflix viewing.
- Erick Massoto of Collider: In stark contrast, Erick Massoto delivers a scathing critique, rating the movie a mere 2 out of 10. He questions the decision to present Hart’s character as the sole serious figure and criticizes the supporting cast’s inability to carry the comedic weight. Massoto concludes that “Lift” falls short in both comedy and action.
- Samantha Bergeson of IndieWire: Bergeson views “Lift” as a paycheck project for Kevin Hart and criticizes F. Gary Gray’s direction as a predictable parody. Awarding the film a D+, she expresses disappointment in its return to basic heist stakes, lacking the glamour seen in iconic franchises like Mission: Impossible.
- Christy Lemire of RogerEbert.com: Lemire gives “Lift” a 2-star rating, acknowledging the interesting premise but pointing out the film’s generic and forgettable nature. She emphasizes the lack of character development, comparing it to other glossy yet hollow action pictures in Netflix’s repertoire.
- Kenneth Seward Jr. of IGN: Seward gives the film a “Mediocre” 5 out of 10, expressing disappointment in its failure to leave a lasting impression. He advises viewers to lower their expectations, noting that the talented cast and promising premise remain unfulfilled.
Conclusion: While critics unanimously agree that “Lift” falls short of expectations, the extent of its shortcomings varies. Despite mixed reviews, the movie may still attract viewers seeking a brief, lighthearted escape with Kevin Hart’s comedic touch. As “Lift” joins the extensive library of Netflix originals, its success or failure in finding an audience will ultimately unfold over time.
Kevin Hart’s latest endeavor, “Lift,” directed by F. Gary Gray, arrived on the Netflix streaming platform, promising audiences a blend of comedy and heist thrills. Despite an impressive cast and an enticing premise, critics who had the opportunity to preview the film ahead of its release have expressed varied opinions on whether this action-comedy lives…
Kevin Hart’s latest endeavor, “Lift,” directed by F. Gary Gray, arrived on the Netflix streaming platform, promising audiences a blend of comedy and heist thrills. Despite an impressive cast and an enticing premise, critics who had the opportunity to preview the film ahead of its release have expressed varied opinions on whether this action-comedy lives…