If this were in 1987, a film starring Hawkeye Pierce, Axel Foley and Ferris Bueller would likely be the most amazing cast ever assembled.
But, it’s 2011, and with the exception of this film marking the return of Eddie Murphy being funny again, Tower Heist is an otherwise fairly tepid, but likable moviegoing experience.
The first problem comes from the fact that much of this ensemble is given little to do. Alda plays a swarmy Wall Street swindling billionaire who gets caught after stealing millions of dollars, including the pensions of the blue collar employees of his top dollar New York apartment building who unite to steal back his hidden fortune to make things right.
Stiller, thankfully doesn’t do his typical neurotic schtick and Eddie Murphy is funny, and those might be the best reasons to see this entertaining, but instantly forgettable heist film.
Part of the problem is that unlike Ocean’s Eleven, this crew really doesn’t have individual skills to make this job happen.
Not particularly funny, or thrilling, but charming with it’s talented cast, Tower Heist might be the best way to kill a couple of hours provided that you can suspend your disbelief of the preposterous plan and it’s unbelievable execution.
