The Pickup Review: Eddie Murphy’s New Comedy.

The Pickup Review: Eddie Murphy returns to the screen with The Pickup, a straight-to-Prime Video action comedy that sadly misses the mark. Despite a star-studded cast and promising premise, this film ends up being one of Murphy’s weakest projects in recent years.

Key Takeaways

• The Pickup is considered one of Eddie Murphy’s worst films to date.
• The movie features big names like Eva Longoria, Pete Davidson, and Keke Palmer.
• Despite the cast, the film suffers from a weak script and unfunny jokes.
• Eddie Murphy looks bored, and the action feels forced and unrealistic.
• Streaming now on Amazon Prime Video.

Eddie Murphy’s Struggles in The Pickup

In his legendary career, Eddie Murphy has delivered unforgettable hits. But The Pickup is not one of them. Compared to flops like A Thousand Words and Norbit, this new film somehow manages to disappoint even more. At least in those older films, Murphy tried to breathe life into weak material. Here, he seems distant, tired, and far from his comedic best.

In The Pickup, Murphy plays Russell, an armored truck guard counting the days until retirement. The plot kicks off when he and his young, goofy partner Travis (played by Pete Davidson) get entangled in a heist involving Zoe (Keke Palmer), a mysterious woman with a hidden agenda.

A Strong Cast Wasted on a Weak Script

The film features an impressive lineup:

• Eva Longoria – underused despite her talent.
• Pete Davidson – plays the comic relief but his jokes often fall flat.
• Keke Palmer – arguably the most energetic performer, yet stuck in a cliché role.

Unfortunately, the script, written by Kevin Burrows and Matt Mider, fails to give any of these actors meaningful material. The humor is forced, the dialogue feels outdated, and the film’s 90-minute runtime feels painfully long.

Predictable Plot, Poor Execution

The storyline tries to mix action with comedy, but both elements feel half-baked. What starts as a buddy-cop setup soon turns into a lazy imitation of Ocean’s Eleven. The heist plot is predictable, and the romantic tension between Zoe and Travis feels fake and unnecessary.

There’s even a moment where Zoe tries to justify her criminal actions by blaming capitalism, but the line comes off more like a tired excuse than clever commentary.

Eddie Murphy vs. Age and Action Scenes

Murphy, now 64, seems out of place in action-heavy scenes. He throws punches, fires dye packs, and fights off robbers—but without the energy or flair of his earlier years. During promotions for Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, Murphy joked about avoiding stunts. Watching The Pickup, it becomes clear he wasn’t kidding.

The action scenes are over-the-top and lack logic. In one ridiculous moment, a villain gets thrown off an armored truck, crashes onto a moving car, and survives to fight again. It’s cartoonish and hard to believe.

Unfunny Moments and Missed Opportunities

Despite having talented comedians like Andrew Dice Clay and Marshawn Lynch, the movie completely wastes their potential. Clay plays a dull truck depot manager, and Lynch’s character is named “Chop Shop”—a missed chance for comedy that the film doesn’t even acknowledge.

Oscar-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter is on board too, but even the costumes fail to stand out. It feels like every element of the film is playing it safe—or worse, sleepwalking through the production.

Did Director Tim Story Lose Control?

Tim Story, known for hits like Barbershop, Ride Along, and The Blackening, directs The Pickup. But this film feels like it was made by someone else. There’s no signature style or humor. Instead, it looks like a passionless project, focused more on explosions than storytelling.

Maybe Story was trying to show off flashy car stunts. Maybe he was just working with a weak script. Either way, it doesn’t reflect his past successes.

Final Thoughts: Should You Watch The Pickup?

In one scene, Russell dreams of retiring and opening a quiet bed and breakfast. His young partner mocks him, saying, “Your generation can’t pivot.” That line might as well be a message to Murphy himself.

Yes, Eddie Murphy is a legend. But The Pickup doesn’t do him justice. It’s not likely to damage his legacy in the long run, especially with his upcoming role as Inspector Clouseau. But for now, fans are left with a disappointing movie that feels more like a chore than a comedy.

Verdict

Unless you’re a die-hard Eddie Murphy fan or have time to kill, you might want to skip The Pickup. It’s streaming now on Amazon Prime Video, but it’s far from Murphy’s best work.

Key Details About The Pickup

10 Quick Facts About The Pickup

1. Eddie Murphy plays a soon-to-retire armored truck guard.
2. Keke Palmer plays a seductive thief with a heist plan.
3. Pete Davidson plays the goofy, immature partner.
4. The movie tries to blend action and comedy.
5. Directed by Barbershop filmmaker Tim Story.
6. Features actors like Eva Longoria and Marshawn Lynch.
7. Costumes designed by Oscar-winner Ruth E. Carter.
8. Action scenes feel overdone and unrealistic.
9. The plot heavily borrows from Ocean’s Eleven.
10. Streaming exclusively on Amazon Prime Video.