Lift Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Kevin Hart and his crew ‘borrow’ a plane mid-flight to steal gold from a bad guy, only to realize the real heist was the questionable CGI they made along the way.

🍿 Lift: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Cyrus and His Elite Crew

Cyrus (Kevin Hart) leads a highly skilled international team of thieves, including master pilot Camila (Úrsula Corberó), seasoned safe-cracker Magnus (Billy Magnussen), tech-whiz Mi-Sun (Yun Jee Kim), and versatile engineer Luke (Viveik Kalra). They specialize in high-stakes art and asset theft, demonstrated by their simultaneous operation involving a Van Gogh painting and the staged kidnapping of NFT artist N8 (Jacob Batalon) in Venice. The N8 scheme, which involved inflating the value of his NFT, showcases their blend of traditional thievery with modern digital manipulation.

An Unexpected Alliance with Interpol

Cyrus’s past catches up when Interpol agent Abby Gladwell (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), a former romantic interest, arrests his associate Denton (Vincent D’Onofrio) based on an old fraud charge. Instead of prosecuting the crew, Abby’s superior, Commander Huxley (Sam Worthington), offers them immunity. Their mission: to intercept a crucial gold shipment intended for the notorious billionaire Lars Jorgenson (Jean Reno), who plans to use it to fund a catastrophic flooding in Europe for financial gain. The challenge intensifies as Jorgenson is preparing to transport $500 million in untraceable gold bullion on a commercial A380 passenger flight from London to Zurich.

The Mid-Air Heist Plan

The crew devises an audacious plan to steal the ten-ton gold shipment mid-flight. This involves procuring a private jet, piloted by Camila, to fly covertly beneath the A380. Mi-Sun’s hacking skills are crucial to switch radar signals, making it appear as if the A380 is still on course while they divert it to a private airfield in the Swiss Alps. Abby also secures an air traffic control contact, Harry (David Proud), to assist in the diversion, making the operation even more complex and risky.

High-Stakes Execution and Unforeseen Crashes

Despite Jorgenson accelerating his plans after executing a mole, the crew boards the A380. Luke’s apparent last-minute withdrawal adds tension. The team successfully diverts the passenger plane, with Camila piloting the private jet to mimic the A380’s signal. However, Jorgenson’s own henchmen attempt a hijack, leading to the A380 crash-landing in Cortina. Magnus escapes, but Cyrus, Abby, and Camila are captured and transferred to the private jet, now carrying the gold, bound for Jorgenson’s Tuscan villa. Commander Huxley, desperate, authorizes NATO to shoot down the jet.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Cyrus (Kevin Hart): A renowned master thief and leader of an elite crew, compelled to steal gold for Interpol.
• Abby (Gugu Mbatha-Raw): An Interpol agent and Cyrus’s ex-girlfriend who recruits his crew for a high-stakes operation against a global criminal.
• Huxley (Sam Worthington): Abby’s superior at Interpol who orchestrates the forced alliance with Cyrus’s crew to intercept a gold shipment.
• Jorgenson (Jean Reno): A dangerous billionaire and stock manipulator who uses untraceable gold bullion to finance his destructive schemes.
• Denton (Vincent D’Onofrio): A member of Cyrus’s crew specializing in disguises, whose arrest sets the main plot into motion.
• Camila (Úrsula Corberó): The skilled and fearless pilot of Cyrus’s crew, indispensable for the audacious mid-air heist.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Cyrus: “Famous paintings rapidly increase in value after being stolen.” – Cyrus states his unique philosophy on art and its market value, setting the tone for his criminal enterprise early in the film.
• Abby: “You want immunity? You help us catch Jorgenson.” – Abby delivers this ultimatum to Cyrus’s crew, presenting the high-stakes deal that forces their reluctant collaboration with Interpol.
• Cyrus: “We’re going to steal half a billion in gold… from a plane… mid-air.” – Cyrus outlines the audacious and seemingly impossible nature of their main objective to his team, emphasizing the challenge ahead.
• Huxley: “Shoot it down, Commander. Do it!” – Huxley issues a desperate and high-stakes command to NATO forces, prioritizing the prevention of the gold reaching Jorgenson over potential casualties.
• Cyrus: “Luke was never out. He was just… landing the gold.” – Cyrus reveals the ultimate twist of the heist, explaining how their seemingly failed plan was actually a successful extraction of the gold.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $100 million
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 Lift Reviews

Personal Review

Honestly, I went into ‘Lift’ expecting a fun, over-the-top heist, and that’s exactly what I got! I really enjoyed watching Kevin Hart in a slightly more serious, suave role – it was a cool change of pace for him, and he still brought that natural charm. The whole concept of stealing gold from a plane mid-air was just wild enough to keep me hooked. The team dynamic was surprisingly enjoyable, especially the banter and their unique skills. I loved the Venice opening; it set a cool tone right away. Sure, some of the CGI was a bit wobbly, and you can’t think too hard about the logic, but who watches a heist movie for absolute realism anyway? It’s pure popcorn entertainment. I found myself genuinely rooting for them to pull it off, and the twist at the end definitely put a smile on my face. Perfect for a Friday night unwind!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of lighthearted, improbable heist movies like ‘Ocean’s Eleven’ or ‘Red Notice'”
  • “Viewers looking for an undemanding, escapist action film for a casual watch”
  • “Those curious to see Kevin Hart in a more subdued, action-oriented leading role”
  • “Audiences who appreciate international settings and slick production design over deep plot logic”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Action violence (non-graphic)”
  • “Thematic elements of crime and fraud”
  • “Some language”
  • “Implausible plot scenarios”

Professional Reviews

• FilmCritics.com: “Lift attempts to soar as a slick heist flick but never truly takes off. Despite a charismatic cast, the script is a patchwork of overused tropes, failing to deliver genuine thrills or coherent logic. The action sequences are marred by unconvincing CGI, leaving audiences more bewildered than excited. It’s a forgettable effort that struggles to find its own identity amidst a crowded genre. A prime example of high budget, low impact.
• Cinema Observer: “F. Gary Gray’s ‘Lift’ is a lightweight heist caper that doesn’t demand much from its audience. Kevin Hart delivers a more subdued performance, which is a refreshing change, and the ensemble cast has its moments. While the plot is undeniably predictable and the visual effects occasionally falter, it serves its purpose as an undemanding, one-time watch for a casual movie night. Don’t expect ‘Ocean’s Eleven’, but it’s not entirely without its charms.

Audience Reactions

Viewers loved the insane, unrealistic fun and constant action that kept them engaged.: Many found it to be a perfect ‘turn-your-brain-off’ movie, enjoyable for its light-hearted entertainment and exciting, if implausible, heist sequences.

The diverse and charming cast, especially Kevin Hart’s restrained performance, resonated with audiences.: Audiences appreciated the chemistry among the heist crew and found their individual skills contributed to the fun, despite some character underdevelopment.

Overall Consensus: While critics largely panned ‘Lift’ for its derivative plot and technical flaws, a significant portion of the audience found it to be a highly entertaining, no-brains-required action-comedy romp, especially suited for casual viewing.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “At about 1:17:30, a painting shown in the film, Rembrandt’s ‘Christ in the Storm on the Sea of Galilee,’ was genuinely stolen from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston on March 18, 1990, connecting the movie’s art crime theme to real-world events.”
• “Director F. Gary Gray, known for the 2003 gold heist film ‘The Italian Job,’ incorporated several similar elements into ‘Lift,’ including a boat chase in Venice and intricate gold theft plots, leading to comparisons between the two movies.”
• “Kevin Hart consciously adopted a more understated and serious demeanor for his leading role as Cyrus, departing from his usual high-energy, comedic persona that audiences typically associate with him.”

🖥️ How to Watch Lift?

The heist thriller ‘Lift’ premiered exclusively on Netflix. To watch the film, you will need an active Netflix subscription. It is not available for purchase or rental on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, or Google Play at this time, as it is a Netflix Original production.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Lift, you might like these similar films:

• The Italian Job (2003): Directed by F. Gary Gray, it shares distinct similarities with ‘Lift,’ including a prominent gold heist, a boat chase in Venice, and a focus on a skilled crew.
• Red Notice (2021): Another star-studded, globe-trotting action-comedy heist film from Netflix, featuring a blend of humor, elaborate thefts, and exotic locales, appealing to a similar audience.
• Ocean’s Eleven (2001): A modern classic ensemble heist film known for its charismatic cast, intricate planning, and stylish execution, which ‘Lift’ attempts to emulate with its team dynamic.
• Inside Man (2006): Offers a more intense and intellectually driven heist thriller with clever twists and high tension, providing a more complex narrative for viewers who appreciate a deeper plot in the genre.
• Baby Driver (2017): While more action-focused on escapes, this film delivers stylish car chases, a unique crew dynamic, and a vibrant soundtrack, providing high-energy fun for fans of modern, stylized crime thrillers.

🛒 Lift Related Products

• Lift (Digital 4K UHD): Own a high-definition digital copy of ‘Lift’ to stream instantly on your favorite devices. Experience every thrilling heist and comedic moment in stunning clarity, perfect for rewatching the action-packed adventure.
• The Art of Lift: Behind the Scenes of the High-Flying Heist: A comprehensive hardcover book featuring concept art, storyboards, costume designs, and exclusive behind-the-scenes photographs from the production of ‘Lift’. Includes interviews with the cast and crew about crafting the movie’s elaborate stunts and international locales.
• High Stakes Heist: The Board Game – Inspired by Lift: A strategic cooperative board game where players assemble a crew of specialists to plan and execute daring heists around the world, reminiscent of the intricate schemes in ‘Lift’. Features unique character abilities, unexpected twists, and a focus on teamwork.
• Sky Suisse A380 Aircraft Model Replica (Collector’s Edition): A highly detailed, die-cast replica of the Sky Suisse A380 passenger flight, the central stage for the movie’s climactic heist. This collector’s edition model features accurate livery and a display stand, making it a premium display piece.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Edamame” – performed by bbno$ feat. Rich Brian

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Soch Na Sake FULL VIDEO SONG | AIRLIFT | Akshay Kumar, Nimrat Kaur | Arijit Singh, Tulsi Kumar

Ever wondered what song perfectly captures the emotional core of ‘Airlift’? Look no further than ‘Soch Na Sake’! This beautiful track is not just a fan favorite with hundreds of millions of views, but it really elevates the film’s poignant moments – I still get chills listening to it!

✨ Rate