Movie Review: Tower Heist, directed by   Brett Ratner; starring Ben Stiller, Eddie Murphy, Alan Alda, Matthew Broderick, Casey Affleck, Tea Leoni and Gabourey Sidibe

If you are looking for a movie that is just plain funny and smart, then the “Tower Heist” is for you. Now, the plot might be over the top but with this ensemble cast of talent, it just does not matter. The movie is that good!

Ben Stiller and Eddie Murphy lead an all-star cast in “Tower Heist,” a comedy caper about working stiffs who seek revenge on the Wall Street swindler who stiffed them. After the workers at a luxury Central Park condominium discover the penthouse billionaire has stolen their retirement, they plot the ultimate revenge: a heist to reclaim what he took from them.

 

Queens native Josh Kovacs (Stiller) has managed one of the most luxurious and well-secured residences in New York City for more than a decade. Under his watchful eye, nothing goes undetected. In the swankiest unit atop Josh's building, Wall Street titan Arthur Shaw (Alan Alda ) under house arrest for stealing two billion dollars from his investors. The hardest hit among those he defrauded? The tower staffers whose pensions he was entrusted to manage.

With only days before Arthur gets away with the perfect crime, Josh's crew turns to petty crook Slide (Murphy) to plan the nearly impossible...to steal what they are sure is hidden in Arthur's guarded condo. Though amateurs, these rookie thieves know the building better than anyone. Turns out they've been casing the place for years, they just didn't know it.

The interaction between the characters makes this movie work. They mesh with each other perfectly. The standout character is Mr. Fitzhugh played by Matthew Broderick. Fitzhugh is a former investor who is now broke with no job and is about to lose his family. Broderick delivers classic one-liners with a dry sense of humor and the scenes with him and Murphy will have you laughing long after you leave the theatre. Gabourey Sidibe (Precious) shows her comedic skills. She is just as funny as the boys and holds her own with Stiller and Murphy.

Brett Ratner did a brilliant job of taking a very serious topic from recent headlines and makes us laugh about it. He managed to pull off a wonderful fun story and deserves congratulations.

What about Eddie Murphy? In this role he returns to the type of character that we fell in love with years ago in

films like “Beverly Hills Cop” and

“48 Hours.” In this film Eddie Murphy is at his best.

Do yourself a favor this weekend and go to see “Tower Heist,” you won’t be disappointed!

“Tower Heist” opens in theatres around the country on Friday, November 4, 2011. It is rated PG-13 for strong

language and violence.

 

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