Big Screen Blurb: Tower Heist

I typically pick movies based on two criteria--1) Concept (is it an interesting storyline); and 2) Cast (can the actors deliver the story in an entertaining and believable way). With that in mind, something about Tower Heist just didn't jive with me. That's why I put off seeing it for three weeks. Maybe it was because when I think of Ben Stiller, I think There's Something About Mary or Tropic Thunder or Heartbreak Kid or even the Focker series. While I loved all of those movies, I didn't have great confidence that he could pull off this combination action, drama, comedy, suspense piece. Okay...and this is big for me...I was wrrr...I was wrrro...okay...it was good.

Josh Kovac (Stiller) manages the Tower, an extremely high-end apartment building for the exceptionally fiscally fit. One such resident is Arthur Shaw (Alan Alda). He's an investment manager, who is accused of a Ponzi scheme of Bernie Madoff proportions. That's trouble for Kovac and company, because Josh had decided to entrust the company's employees pensions to Shaw's slippery hands. Feeling responsible, Josh quickly hatches a scheme to get the money back and right his wrong. He enlists the help of broke residents (Matthew Broderick), fellow employees (Ben Affleck and Michael Pena, Gabourey Sidibe) and even a former pre-school pal and current criminal (Eddie Murphy). Yadayadayada the group attempts to skirt FBI attention while taking on Shaw to retrieve the dough.

It's good. I'll go with 3.5 Stars here...I liked it. Tower Heist delivers a fast-paced and interesting story with a great cast. Sure, some of the schemes, and their results, are implausible at best, but it's a fun story and is bottom line entertaining. Murphy is great as the wannabe criminal mastermind, reminiscent of Jamie Fox in Horrible Bosses as the poser crime lord who really wasn't. Stiller is great as the boss man looking to make good on his employee's trust. Alda was superb as the always sharp shark; and the rest of the cast certainly carried their weight as well. Overall, it's an 1:44 well spent.

Tower Heist is worth a view and it's one that you can definitely go BIG on with slim chances of being disappointed. It's fun stuff and worth a trip to the Big Screen. Well, everyone...enjoy your Thanksgiving. For me, the countdown is on until El Grande Thanksgiving Delecto...my favorite holiday of the year!!!

True...OUT!