Tower Heist

What I love the most about Ben Stiller is his commitment. No matter how bizarre the concept is, he commits fully and lets the comedy speak for itself. He also favors actors who can do comedy instead of casting comedians who act. For this reason his films are consistently good and Tower Heist is no exception.

Tower Heist is a heist film with brilliant touches of comedy. But for the most part it is a satisfying action film. Alan Alda plays Arthur Shaw, an investment broker who occupies the penthouse in the richest, most luxurious apartment building in Manhattan. When he is arrested for defrauding his investors and placed under house arrest until his trial. The staff and crew must now serve the man who lost them their life savings. When Josh (Ben Stiller) is fired as the building manager for confronting Arthur Shaw on behalf of his employees he seeks out a neighborhood thug (Eddie Murphy) and enlists his help to steal their money back. As manager, Josh knows every detail there is about the tower and everyone’s schedules and secrets. With his knowledge and a little help, they can settle the score and get back everyone’s savings.

To help him with this heist, Josh brings in an ex-tenet, Mr. Fitzhugh (Matthew Boderick) a former Wallstreet investor, his concierge brother-in-law Charlie (Casey Affleck) and Enrique (Michael Pena) a new employee who is especially resourceful. With the tutelage of Slide (Murphy) and a safe-cracking maid Gabourey Sidibe, the team makes a plan to break in to the tower’s penthouse during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Just like any heist film there has to be a cop with a watchful eye and in this case Tea Leoni fits the bill as F.B.I agent Claire Denham. She becomes impressed with Josh when she views some security footage of him telling Arthur Shaw off and taking a golf club to one of his collectibles. But enamored as she is by Josh, she is the by the book type until you get some drinks in to her. Tea Leoni is especially funny sharing a conciliatory cocktail with Josh after he gets fired. They form a bond and Josh uses the information she leaks to his advantage.

I really enjoyed Tower Heist. I thought that the tone was consistent throughout and the action sequences were thrilling and suspenseful. The acting was top notch and the comedy came from the characters and not from any cheap bits or lines. This is a smart comedy, well executed with some original stunts that you’ll be sure to remember. Eddie Murphy is at his comedic best and Ben Stiller shows us glimpses of a real action star. Tower Heist is fun, exciting and family friendly. Everyone can enjoy this one.

Rating: First Run An action-comedy for the whole family