Tower Heist Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A bunch of wronged employees decide to steal a car made of gold from a corrupt billionaire’s apartment during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade because…reasons.

🍿 Tower Heist: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Tower and its Staff

Josh Kovaks manages ‘The Tower,’ a luxury high-rise in New York City. He’s dedicated to his staff and the building’s tenants, including wealthy financier Arthur Shaw. The staff includes Charlie, Enrique, Lester and Odessa, each relying on a pension fund managed by Shaw. Their lives are intertwined with the lavish lifestyle of the residents.

Shaw’s Arrest and the Lost Pension

Everything changes when Shaw is arrested for running a Ponzi scheme, wiping out the employees’ pension fund. Josh confronts Shaw, leading to his and two other employees’ termination. An FBI agent hints at Shaw having hidden wealth, sparking an idea: to rob Shaw and recover their stolen money. This sets the stage for an unlikely heist.

Assembling the Heist Crew

Josh recruits fired employees Charlie and Enrique, as well as evicted tenant Mr. Fitzhugh, to help him steal the money. Realizing they lack criminal expertise, they enlist Slide, a petty thief and Josh’s childhood acquaintance. The amateur crew begins training, facing numerous challenges and comical setbacks as they prepare for the impossible task.

Thanksgiving Day Heist

The team plans the heist during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, hoping the chaos will provide cover. Slide initially tries to betray the group, but they manage to trap him. They breach Shaw’s penthouse and find the safe empty. However, they soon discover the money is hidden within a classic Ferrari, melted down and used as its components.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Josh Kovaks (Ben Stiller): The meticulous building manager who leads a heist to recover stolen pension funds from a corrupt financier.
• Arthur Shaw (Alan Alda): The wealthy and duplicitous financier who orchestrates a Ponzi scheme, robbing the Tower employees of their pensions.
• Slide (Eddie Murphy): A small-time thief and Josh’s childhood friend, who provides the amateur heist team with criminal expertise.
• Charlie (Casey Affleck): The Tower’s concierge and Josh’s brother-in-law, who joins the heist crew to secure his family’s future.
• Mr. Fitzhugh (Matthew Broderick): A down-on-his-luck, evicted tenant and former Wall Street trader who uses his past experience to aid the heist.
• Claire Denham (Téa Leoni): The FBI agent investigating Shaw’s crimes, who develops a complex relationship with Josh as the heist unfolds.
• Odessa (Gabourey Sidibe): A Jamaican maid with safe-cracking skills, recruited to open Shaw’s hidden safe.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Slide: “You’re about to learn that stealing ain’t as easy as it looks on TV.” – Slide warns the group about the complexities of committing a crime during their initial training session.
• Josh: “We’re not thieves. We’re just trying to get what’s ours.” – Josh explains the motivations of the group, highlighting their sense of injustice.
• Claire Denham: “So, you’re robbing the guy who robbed you?” – FBI Agent Denham summarizes the heist plan with a mix of skepticism and amusement.
• Mr. Fitzhugh: “Shouldn’t we be avoiding law enforcement? I never saw an episode of Matlock where the criminal banged Matlock!” – Mr. Fitzhugh humorously expresses concern about Josh’s budding romance with FBI Agent Denham.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $75,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $78,046,570
• Worldwide Gross: $152,930,623

💥 Tower Heist Reviews

Personal Review

I enjoyed ‘Tower Heist’ more than I expected. It’s not a groundbreaking film, but it’s a fun, feel-good movie with a satisfying ending. Seeing the little guys get one over on the corrupt billionaire was particularly enjoyable. I especially loved when they are shoplifting items to practice for the heist, that scene was hilarious!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of heist movies”
  • “Viewers who enjoy action-comedies”
  • “Fans of Ben Stiller and Eddie Murphy”
  • “Those interested in stories about economic justice”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild language”
  • “Some suggestive humor”
  • “Brief violence”
  • “Themes of financial corruption”

Professional Reviews

• Rolling Stone: “Tower Heist delivers solid laughs with a timely storyline about Wall Street greed, anchored by a strong ensemble cast. While the plot strains credibility, the comedic chemistry and satisfying resolution make it a worthwhile watch.
• The New York Times: “A caper film with a social conscience, ‘Tower Heist’ is a decent popcorn movie, but it never quite hits the heights of similar films. A lack of originality, especially for the writing of a heist film, is definitely part of it’s issues.
• Rotten Tomatoes: “An undercooked script and too few laugh-out-loud moments keep Tower Heist from living up to its potential, but a charismatic cast and a timely premise make it an enjoyable diversion.

Audience Reactions

Eddie Murphy’s return to form was hilarious and refreshing.: Viewers appreciated the strong comedic performances, particularly from Eddie Murphy and the ensemble cast.

The Thanksgiving Day Parade setting added a unique and chaotic backdrop to the heist.: Many praised the film’s pacing and the blend of comedy and action.

Overall Consensus: A funny and entertaining caper flick with a relevant storyline and a great cast, but with a plot which is not very original for this type of writing and can often times be undercooked.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film was shot at the Trump International Hotel and Tower in New York City, adding a layer of irony given the plot about wealth disparity.”
• “Director Brett Ratner also produced the 83rd Academy Awards, which Eddie Murphy was originally slated to host before dropping out.”
• “The plot was inspired by real-life Ponzi schemes and the financial crisis of the late 2000s, aiming to tap into public sentiment about economic inequality.”

🖥️ How to Watch Tower Heist?

Tower Heist is available for streaming on platforms such as Prime Video, and Apple TV for purchase or rental. Check your local listings for cable broadcast options. The movie is also available for purchase on DVD and Blu-ray through major retailers like Amazon and Walmart.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Tower Heist, you might like these similar films:

• Ocean’s Eleven (2001): Features a group of diverse individuals planning and executing an elaborate heist, with a focus on teamwork and clever tactics.
• The Big Short (2015): Explores the complexities of financial fraud and its impact on ordinary people, although in a more serious and dramatic tone.
• The Italian Job (1969): A classic heist film with a focus on elaborate planning, teamwork, and a thrilling escape, set against a vibrant European backdrop.
• Parasite (2019): Deals with themes of class disparity and ordinary people infiltrating the lives of the wealthy, albeit with darker and more suspenseful elements.
• Trading Places (1983): A comedy about the wealthy and powerful being brought down by the less privileged, providing a cult classic with similar themes.

🛒 Tower Heist Related Products

• Tower Heist [Blu-ray]: Own the movie on Blu-ray for high-definition viewing and bonus features, including deleted scenes and behind-the-scenes footage.
• Hot Wheels Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso: A detailed diecast model of the iconic Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso, replicating the golden car from the movie.
• Heist Movies Collection [DVD]: Explore other thrilling heist movies, including ‘Ocean’s Eleven’ and ‘The Italian Job’, offering hours of entertainment for fans of the genre.
• Ocean’s Eleven [Blu-ray]: Explore other thrilling heist movies, including ‘Ocean’s Eleven’, starring George Clooney and Brad Pitt.

🎧 Soundtrack

Tower Heist features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Genius of Love” – performed by Tom Tom Club
• “Move On Up” – performed by Curtis Mayfield

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

“Shoplifting Test” | Tower Heist (2011)

Ever wondered how a group of regular guys would go about planning a heist? This clip from Tower Heist shows you exactly that – with a hilarious twist. Watch as they test out their skills by shoplifting…with unexpected results.

Billionaire Steals Their Tiny Savings To Pay For Party, And Now They’ll Steal His Fortune As Revenge

Looking for a quick and easy way to catch up on the movie Tower Heist? This recap video has got you covered! In just 18 minutes, you’ll get all the important details about the plot, characters, and themes. Plus, it’s narrated in a clear and engaging way that makes it easy to follow along.

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Need a quick and easy way to understand the movie Tower Heist? This one-minute video explains everything you need to know, without any spoilers! It’s the perfect way to get up to speed before watching the movie or to refresh your memory afterwards.

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