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Review

Tower Heist -Film Review

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Tower Heist is the latest film from director Brett Ratner. As you’d expect from the title and it’s all star cast it’s a heist/comedy. As a heist film it’s fantastic, unfortunately the comedy is pretty so-so.

Ben Stiller is Josh Kovacs, a building manager for a prestigious New York apartment complex. He runs an eclectic team of maids and service people who pamper and care for their wealthy tenants.

But Josh’s career in the service industry comes crashing down when the F.B.I arrests affable tenant Arthur Shaw (Alan Alda) for ripping off his customers and leaving the employee pension fund he managed penniless. Ashamed that he was the one that handed over the pension fund to Shaw and furious at the old man’s lack of remorse, Josh sets out to make amends by stealing the loot that Shaw has hidden in his apartment.

He then recruits childhood acquittance Slide (Eddie Murphy), homeless former tenant Fitzhugh (Matthew Broderick) and hapless staff members Dev’Reaux (Michael Pena) and brother-in-law Charlie (Casey Affleck) to help him break into the tower. Add a budding romance between Josh and F.B.I agent Claire Denham (Tea Leoni), a few double crosses, and some cold feet, and you’ve got a nice little heist caper.

The film is at its best when Brett Ratner restrains himself from his usual over the top, back and forth comedy and action sequences. It builds a lot of tension in the film and you really start to care for these ordinary Joes who are struggling in a situation that goes against everything they use to stand for.

Unfortunately he just can’t help but insert his trademark style of humour. And that’s where the film starts to drag. It’s the same old rapid fire, comically missing the point dialogue that you could probably write in your sleep. The gratuitous fart and dick jokes that seem to litter comedies these days. Not that I don’t find fart and dick jokes funny, but I prefer them to be used sparingly and if you do use them intelligently. Don’t just ram them into any old plot hole. (he he). Go completely over the top or they’ll just look flaccid and limp.

There wasn’t much I found funny in Ratner’s other films and the trend remains firmly in place.  Ben Stiller and Tea Leoni have good on screen chemistry, whilst Alan Alda is excellent as the affable psychopath Shaw. He gives a great performance as you see the layers of charm peel off, to reveal a man who views the world as being full of insects ripe for his exploitation.  Unfortunately Eddie Murphy is pretty much playing the same character he always plays. You know, the fast talking streetwise black dude from the wrong side of the tracks. You know, the one he played in 48 hours, Beverly Hills Cop, Pluto Nash*, and pretty much every film he’s ever been in.  Personally I find that kind of character irritating. It’s supposed to be some kind of pompous street character who acts tough but is as threatening as a Chihuahua. Why can’t we have a fast talking comical streetwise character who is actually streetwise and can be threatening when they want to.

That being said, Brett Ratner never lets the big names dominate the film. There’s a lot of great supporting roles here. From Stephen Henderson, who shines as the good natured doorman driven to the brink of despair as his retirement years disappear in front of him. Michael Pena is great as the dimwitted, but eager Enrique Dev’Reaux. And Gabourey Sidibe steals the show as the man hungry, Jamaican, maid Odessa.

The score by Christophe Beck is brilliant. It’s got a great Venture Brothers feel with a thrumming bass line and over the top horns. It’s definitely worth getting to listen on its own.  So if you’re looking for a reasonable heist film based on now common revenge fantasy then Tower Heist is for you. If you’re looking for comedy/action film then go rent Beverly Hills Cop.

* I wouldn’t really know. Not even Eddie Murphy has seen Pluto Nash.

 

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Do you agree with Joel?  Have you seen Tower Heist?  or are you more like Q-Dog an cannot bring yourself to even watch it?  Feedback!

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About The Author

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Born in Sydney, now living in Brisbane, Joel is an aspiring sci-fi and fantasy author who lives with his two cats. Not that there's anything wrong with that. He spends his time reading, writing and procrastinating about writing. For the last ten years Joel has worked as a carer for people with intellectual disabilities. He would very much like to quit, but can't afford to.

Article Information

  • Posted: Monday, January 23rd, 2012
  • Author: Joel Williams
  • Filed Under: Film,Review
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