The Pickup Movie Review: Eddie Murphy’s New Comedy is Worse than Norbit
ke Burrows and Matt Mider â best known for a web series about anthropomorphic lobsters. Unfortunately, it all comes together in 90 of the longest minutes you’ll ever spend in front of a screen, if you even make it that far.
At this stage in his career, Murphy shines best when leaning into nostalgia with hits like Coming 2 America and Beverly Hills Cop, or when indulging his inner child in films like Dolemite Is My Name. However, The Pickup misses the mark. In this film, Murphy plays Russell, an armored messenger counting down the days until retirement in a plot that seems ripped from the first Lethal Weapon.
The movie also features Davidson as Travis, the bumbling partner who nearly causes chaos after misinterpreting a situation, and Palmer as Zoe, who ends up taking advantage of them. The heist goes awry, leading to an overly dramatic Oceans 11-style plan that falls flat.
Watching Murphy navigate the action sequences in the film is a reminder of his age; at 64, he is less inclined to perform intense stunts. The action scenes are over-the-top, with unrealistic feats and near-impossible escapes that challenge believability.
Despite the talented cast, including Longoria, Davidson, and Palmer, the film fails to deliver on comedic potential. The script and direction leave much to be desired, with missed opportunities for humor and character development.
Ultimately, The Pickup is a disappointing addition to Eddie Murphy’s filmography, lacking the charm and wit of his past work. While the film may not tarnish his reputation in the long term, it is unlikely to be a memorable addition to his legacy. Viewers may find themselves questioning why Murphy chose to take on this particular project at this point in his career.
The Pickup is set to release on Amazon Prime Video on 6 August.
