4 Unexpected Highlights That Make “The Pick Up” Worth Watching

Directed by Tim Story

Written by Kevin Burrows & Matt Mider

Produced by John Davis, p.g.a., John Fox, p.g.a., Eddie Murphy, p.g.a., Tim Story, Charisse Hewitt-Webster, p.g.a.

Starring Eddie Murphy, Pete Davidson, Eva Longoria, Ismael Cruz Cordova, Jack Kesy, Andrew Dice Clay, Marshawn Lynch, Joe “Roman Reigns” Anoa’i, and Keke Palmer

Run Time: 1 hour, 34 minutes 

Rating: R 

Streaming on: Prime

Release date: August 6th, 2025

Remember those buddy action comedies from the ’80s and ’90s, the kind that paired an unlikely duo and threw them into chaos with guns, jokes, and grudging respect? The Pick Up tries to revive that formula. Eddie Murphy plays Russell, a veteran armored truck driver trying to get home for his anniversary. Pete Davidson plays his chaotic coworker Travis, just hoping to make it through the shift without getting fired. Their routine gets hijacked, literally, by Zoe, a clever, unpredictable thief played by Keke Palmer, who holds them hostage and forces them into an impromptu heist crew.

The setup is promising. The nostalgia is real. But the execution doesn’t fully land.

While The Pick Up might not hit the mark as a summer blockbuster, it has a few standout moments that reminded me why I like this genre in the first place. Here are the four things I actually liked about The Pick Up.

1. The Chase Scenes Actually Had Me Into It

From the moment Zoe and her crew chase down the armored truck, the film kicks into gear, literally. Russell and Travis are dodging bullets, weaving through side roads, and doing their best to protect the cash they’re hauling while trying to stay alive. The pacing slows a bit once the crew starts prepping for the heist, but the action ramps up again in the final act, bringing a surprising amount of blood and chaos for a comedy. The R-rating definitely makes sense. Some of the brutality comes out of nowhere, but that intensity adds a jolt of excitement. It reminded me of the kind of action I used to love in the ’90s, gritty, unfiltered, and not afraid to go there. Man, I miss that era of action movies.

2. Eddie Murphy in Action Mode, Again

If Axel Foley (Beverly Hills Cop), Reggie Hammond (48 Hrs.), and Inspector Scott Roper (Metro) were mashed together into a middle-aged version, you’d get Russell. Murphy knows how to move in this space, balancing humor and action with the kind of weariness that says, “I’m getting too old for this.” His performance doesn’t dominate the film, but when he’s in his element, he makes it work. It’s familiar ground, but there’s still joy in watching him navigate it, especially in an era where we rarely see older Black action leads treated as both funny and capable.

3. The Funny Moments—When They Landed

A lot of the funniest moments were, unfortunately, already in the trailer. While I understand the strategy to hook an audience, I wish the film had saved a few surprises. In a press conference, the cast mentioned that the outtakes had them in tears from laughing, and I believe it. But this raises a question: Why didn’t that energy translate to the final cut? Whether the issue lies in the directing, the editing, or the writing, it’s a shame that more of that vibrant, on-set humor didn’t make it into the actual film.

Some jokes, particularly by Murphy and Palmer, worked well. Davidson, however, feels out of place at times. While I’ve laughed at plenty of his SNL sketches, here his humor leans more obnoxious than clever. That said, the writing overall didn’t give many cast members strong material. There was some dialogue freedom given to the actors, I just think more of the jokes could’ve been better. 

4. Keke Palmer as a Heist Mastermind

Palmer plays Zoe with just the right mix of charm, grit, sex appeal, and menace. From the moment she steps into the picture, it’s clear she’s running the show even when the script tries to outpace her. The opening moments, where her two hired goons quickly get outmatched by Russell and Travis, had potential for a smarter twist. Unfortunately, the story never fully explores her leadership or how she rose in the crime world. Still, Palmer sells it. I’d love to see her lead a proper heist film, one that’s more focused, less messy, and gives her the narrative and stronger story she deserves.

A Film That Could Have Been Better

The biggest issue with The Pick Up is its pacing and identity. It jumps between buddy comedy, heist thriller, action caper, and even a romantic subplot, but never fully commits to any of them or makes them work together. We’ve seen that kind of genre-blending done well in films like 21 Jump Street, Men in Black, and Bad Boys, where the tone is clear and consistent. Here, just when you think you’ve got a handle on what the movie is trying to be, it shifts again, and not in a way that sticks the landing.

The antagonists are another weak point. They’re underdeveloped and lack real motivation, mainly existing to give our leads something to run from or punch. They’re just… there. Unlike some of the complex villains in films like Lethal Weapon or Die Hard, these characters don’t have a clear code or a compelling reason for their actions. You can even look at a movie like Ocean’s Twelve, where antagonists and protagonists form alliances for understandable reasons. In The Pick Up, the antagonists’ betrayal feels unearned, and their threat is less compelling. And that’s a problem for me.

Also, it was good to see comedian Andrew Dice Clay back on screen, trading comedic lines with Davidson, even if it was brief. The same goes for Marshawn Lynch and Eva Longoria, who plays Natalie Pierce, Russell’s wife. Her character leans into the idea that a wife always knows the truth and should be feared when she’s mad, even with guns drawn and lives on the line.

With Murphy riding high from Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F and Palmer fresh off her critically praised comedy One of Them Days, you’d expect a tighter, funnier film. Add Davidson’s popularity from SNL, and this cast had the potential to deliver something memorable. But The Pick Up feels like a first draft that never got the polish it needed to become a cult classic.

The Conclusion

Director Tim Story has helmed successful ensemble comedies before, The Blackening, Think Like a Man, and Ride Along. He knows what a good comedy is supposed to be. But The Pick Up doesn’t come together in the same way. That doesn’t mean it’s a total miss.

If you’re a fan of Murphy’s comedic swagger, Palmer’s onscreen presence, or want something fun to stream on a weekend night, this one might work for you. Just go in knowing it won’t be anyone’s best.

For me, The Pick Up gets a 6 out of 10. It’s held up by a few good action scenes, some memorable jokes, and the nostalgic thrill of seeing Eddie Murphy back in semi-action form.

But it’s also a reminder that sometimes a great cast isn’t enough without a solid story to match.