Tower Heist (2011)

Directed by Brett Ratner. Starring Ben Stiller, Eddie Murphy, Alan Alda, Téa Leoni, Matthew Broderick, Casey Affleck, Michael Peña, Judd Hirsch, Gabourey Sidibe, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Nina Arianda, Juan Carlos Hernandez. [PG-13]

Labored heist comedy that exploits a ripped-from-the-headlines subject for empty(-headed) escapism. After billionaire investor Alda loses all of their pensions in a poorly-explained Ponzi scheme, several employees of the elitist NYC apartment building he calls home plot to get their money back (and then some) by stealing millions from the fat-cat’s wall safe. Joining them in their unlikely enterprise is a randomly-discovered petty thief played by Murphy who—get this—building manager Stiller knew from childhood. Although relatively painless, there are only a few scattered chuckles and no real surprises or twists; the prep/planning stage is shockingly brief, and the complications that pile up once the heist is underway are mostly telegraphed way too early—could that oft-marveled-upon rooftop swimming pool possibly factor into the “getaway”?? No one brings their A-game, and the rapport among the thieves barely generates a pulse (better off is a low-key flirtation between Stiller and FBI agent Leoni, but that sub-plot ends up going nowhere during the last act). Another slick commercial product from now-disgraced director Ratner, and as expected, it’s so fleeting as to be forgotten before the end credits roll. Final film for Robert Downey Sr. in a bit part.

46/100