Some movies are classics for a reason, and then some movies take pieces from classics, toss them in a blender, pour it out, and hopefully provide something with enough of what was enjoyed with enough differences to be something new. The Pickup is one of the latter. This is a buddy cop security guard heist film.
Travis (Pete Davidson) is making a pickup from a bank when an attractive woman hands him a note. He overreacts and draws his gun only to realize Zoe (Keke Palmer) was giving him her number. They go to dinner and . . . the film cuts to Russelle (Eddie Murphy) wishing his wife, Natalie (Eva Longoria), a happy 25th wedding anniversary. We learn she wants him to retire, and he will once he has the financial stability he foresees in six months. After arriving at work, Russell learns he has the long route and may not make it back in time to have dinner with his wife. He has also been partnered with the company muck-up, Travis, for the day.
Director Tim Story knows how to provide good action scenes and tie them to comedy, as seen with Taxi (2004) and Fantastic Four (2005). The action in this did not disappoint, nor did it follow the laws of physics or reality, which is not a requirement for a piece like this. A speeding armored truck making a sharp turn on two wheels and not flipping over was cool, especially with science saying that it can’t happen. There is also a bit of “don’t try this at home” with wearing a motorcycle helmet while driving to ensure surviving a SUV flipping multiple times with parts flying off it. The comedy wasn’t fully what I was expecting, with Murphy playing more of the older/wiser about-to-retire straight man as opposed to the comic foil role we are used to. There are hidden gems in some of the more minor details, an example of which is when Travis is playing music and a more current song has Russell rolling his eyes, then when the song is changed, if you know your 1984 movies, you will catch the joke.
Two things bothered me. One was how Zoe’s story was thrown together, and the moment it created risk. To me, it didn’t add the tension the moment needed. The other was the “harm” to a beautiful Shelby Cobra. It was great to have it in a chase; however, with all the other moments with suspension of disbelief, they could have left it pristine.
Is the film award-winning? No. Was it trying to be? No. This movie is not trying to take itself seriously, and they show us time and time again. This is available to stream from your home on Amazon Prime. Get out of the heat and enjoy some laughs, car chases, and explosions.
Director: Tim Story
Cast: Eddie Murphy, Pete Davidson, Keke Palmer, Eva Longoria
MPAA Rating: Rated R for language throughout, some sexual references, and violence.
Selig Rating: 3 stars
Runtime: 1h 34m
Release Date: August 6, 2025
Stream Channel: Amazon Prime
Genre(s): Action, Comedy
Trailer: The Pickup trailer
The Selig Rating Scale:
5 Stars – Excellent movie/show, well worth the time and price.
4 Stars – Good movie/show
3 Stars – OK movie/show
2 Stars – Well, there was nothing else…
1 Star – Total waste of time.