‘Lift’ (2024) Netflix Movie Review - Buckle Up for Turbulent Thrills

"Lift," Netflix's latest mid-air heist flick, promises a white-knuckled joyride packed with explosive action, laugh-out-loud humor, and the kind of suspense that makes you forget your oxygen mask. Does it crash and burn like a malfunctioning engine, or does it leave you feeling like you've just touched the clouds? Buckle up, cinephiles, because this review is about to take flight.

Slick, a notorious thief lured out of retirement for a once-in-a-lifetime job, faces a challenge that would make Ocean's Eleven blush: snatching half a billion in diamonds off a plane soaring at 40,000 feet. His crew, a motley bunch of specialists with secrets as shady as their skillsets, includes a sharp-tongued ex-lover (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), a wisecracking tech whiz (Billy Magnussen), and a grizzled safecracker straight out of "Ocean's Eleven" himself (Jean Reno). As they navigate the cramped cargo hold, dodge suspicious air marshals, and wrestle with the ever-present threat of gravity, director F. Gary Gray ("Fast & Furious") masters the art of cinematic high-wire. He seamlessly blends claustrophobic tension with awe-inspiring aerial shots, reminding us just how precarious our existence is when dangling a few inches from the heavens.

Hart, in his element as the charismatic Slick, proves he's not just a king of stand-up, but a king of the skies. His comedic timing is sharper than a titanium drill, and his deadpan delivery keeps the laughs at cruising altitude even during the most harrowing moments.

But "Lift" isn't just about the quips and stunts. It attempts to weave a web of emotional complexity, exploring themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the allure of second chances. Unfortunately, these threads don't always take flight. The film struggles to establish genuine connections between characters, leaving their motivations feeling more like a layover at a generic airport than a deep dive into their pasts. The villain's arc, too, plays out with predictable clichés, failing to deliver the intricate game of wits the premise promised.

Despite its emotional turbulence, "Lift" remains an undeniably entertaining spectacle. The action sequences are a masterclass in kinetic thrills, from the heart-stopping moment the crew grapples onto the plane mid-flight to the pulse-pounding heist itself, a ballet of laser cutters, magnetic fields, and near misses. The film's humor, while occasionally forced, keeps the tension from reaching oxygen-deprivation levels, and the cast's charm ensures you're rooting for them even when their moral compass veers off course.

So, does "Lift" deliver a sky-high touchdown or a belly flop? It's neither. It's an exhilarating thrill ride with a comedic wingman that occasionally loses its way through the clouds. It's a popcorn flick with an action-packed script and undeniable charm, but one that never quite reaches the emotional cruising altitude it seems to yearn for. Think of it as a first-class experience with economy food – the journey is fun, the views are breathtaking, but you wouldn't mind a little more substance with your champagne.

"Lift" may not leave you wanting to quit your day job and become an airborne thief, but it's a thoroughly enjoyable escape for an evening. Just don't expect it to rewrite the heist-film rulebook. And for those who like their movies with a post-credits stinger, stay tuned. The scene hints at a sequel that could see Slick take his skyjacking skills to even greater heights – a prospect that, much like the film itself, leaves you both thrilled and slightly hesitant to board the plane.

Final Score – [5/10]
Reviewed by - Arpita Mondal
Publisher at Midgard Times