"The Pickup" is a colossal misfire of a film

Director Tim Story and comedy icon Eddie Murphy team up for the action-comedy film “The Pickup,” now available on Prime Video. The cast features up-and-coming stars Pete Davidson and Keke Palmer, alongside veterans Andrew Dice Clay and Eva Longoria. Kevin Burrows and Matt Mider pen the screenplay.

The film introduces us to Travis (Pete Davidson), an eccentric armored truck driver who mistakenly thinks Zoe (Keke Palmer) is a bank robber. To make amends, Travis takes Zoe out, and they hit it off, spending the night together during which Travis shares stories about his job in an attempt to impress her.

Meanwhile, Russell (Eddie Murphy) faces pressure from his wife Natalie (Eva Longoria), who warns him not to miss their anniversary dinner. Natalie is tired of the hustle and bustle of Russell's job and dreams of opening a bed and breakfast with him. However, when Russell is assigned to work with Travis, they are ambushed by ruthless criminals led by Zoe, who have plans that go far beyond stealing cash. As chaos ensues, this unlikely duo must navigate high-risk dangers, clashing personalities, and a day that continues to spiral out of control.

Having experienced the peak of Eddie Murphy's career in the eighties, I had high hopes for “The Pickup.” Even though Murphy's film choices have leaned towards family-friendly fare over the years, I always gave him a pass because of his classic hits. Unfortunately, “The Pickup” stands out as one of Murphy’s weaker performances.

For starters, the comedian appears bored for much of the film, almost as if he is fulfilling a favor for the director or a contractual obligation. Murphy plays the straight man to Davidson's wisecracker, but there is a noticeable lack of chemistry between the two. While the dynamic between an experienced worker and a rookie often proves successful, here it feels forced.

To my surprise, Davidson delivers the better performance, and frankly, if Steve Martin, Will Ferrell, or Rob Schneider had taken on the role, it wouldn't have changed much. However, Marshawn Lynch's character feels underutilized in a supporting role; the film might have benefited from making him a co-lead.

The script fails to showcase Murphy's evident strengths. The female characters, notably Keke Palmer, shine as scene-stealers alongside the always delightful Eva Longoria. Regarding direction, one would expect Tim Story, known for his comedic prowess, to deliver a stronger project, but his effort here seems rather lackluster.

Painfully unfunny, with a tepid script and weak action scenes, “The Pickup” might only appeal to devoted fans of the cast.

Final Grade: D+

“The Pickup” is now streaming on Prime Video.