Tower Heist-2011

Director Brett Ratner

Starring Ben Stiller, Eddie Murphy

Scott’s Review #160

Reviewed August 29, 2014

Grade: D

Tower Heist (2011) is a completely formulaic, by-the-numbers comedy with absolutely no surprises or, frankly, creativity.

It follows Josh Kovacs, a luxury high-rise apartment manager weakly played by Ben Stiller in New York City, whose favorite tenant, a businessman Arthur Shaw (Alan Alda), is arrested for involvement in a Ponzi scheme.

The entire staff’s pensions have been squandered after Josh entrusts Shaw with the funds, and he tries to return the money to the rightful owners with a team of staff and an ex-con, played by Eddie Murphy.

They team up and attempt to locate millions of dollars hidden in Shaw’s apartment.

If this film was a starring vehicle for Ben Stiller, it was done horribly. He has been much funnier in There’s Something About Mary (1998) or Meet the Parents (2000).

Tower Heist has some similarities to Ocean’s Eleven (2001) because the score is recognizable and mirrors that film. The group of players is similar to that film, and its look reminds me of it too.

Murphy plays a silly, stereotypical role, and the group has zero chemistry as they try to keep the money.

There is also no chemistry between Stiller and Tea Leoni, who plays an FBI agent with a phony Queens accent that I found laugh-out-loud bad.

Nothing worked in this film since it was one tired gag after another and completely predictable.

I will admit two minor positives in Tower Heist: Alan Alda, who’s always great to see in films, and the interesting choice of a luxurious high-rise setting with cool, ritzy interiors taken from real buildings in New York City.

Otherwise, Tower Heist (2011) is a complete dud.