Eddie Murphy, the renowned actor and comedian aged 64, is once again claiming the number one spot in the movie world, this time on streaming platforms. Since his film “A Thousand Words” underperformed at the box office in 2012, Murphy has shifted his focus towards streaming services, where he’s been thriving. His recent movies like “Dolemite Is My Name” (Netflix, 2019), “You People” and “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F” (both Netflix in 2023), “Coming 2 America” (Amazon Prime Video, 2021), and “Candy Cane Lane” (Amazon Prime Video, 2023) have all topped the streaming charts.
The Grab” – a film featuring Murphy alongside Keke Palmer (known for “One of Them Days“) and Pete Davidson (famous for “Dumb Money“), marks another successful streaming debut for Murphy. This action-comedy premiered on August 6th on Amazon Prime Video, dethroning War of the Worlds, the Ice Cube-led sci-fi movie criticized as “one of the worst movies ever made” following its 0% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
In simpler terms, the action comedy film “Heads of State,” featuring John Cena and Idris Elba, moved down to the third spot on the Amazon Prime Video Top 10 list. The list also includes “Housefull 5” at number 6 and “The Accountant 2” at number 9. Completing the top ten most-watched movies on Prime are titles like “Flight Risk,” “The Count of Monte Cristo,” “Terrifier 3,” “A Working Man,” and “Prey.” These last five are Premium Video On Demand (PVOD) releases.
In the film titled “The Pickup,” an ordinary money pickup becomes a rollercoaster ride of unexpected events when inexperienced armored truck drivers, Russell (Murphy) and Travis (Davidson), are attacked by relentless gangsters, headed by cunning leader Zoe (Palmer). As pandemonium ensues, the improbable pair finds themselves navigating through perilous situations, personality conflicts, and a single disastrous day that just won’t stop spinning out of control. Tim Story, known for his work on “Barbershop” and “Ride Along,” takes the helm, while Kevin Burrows (“The Package”) and Matt Mider (“Don’t”) contribute to the scriptwriting.
In this scenario, Murphy portrays the character of Russell, an experienced armored car driver who values rules and finds comfort in routine, having spent decades on the job. His dream is to swap his bulletproof vest for a new life as a bed and breakfast owner with his wife Natalie (played by Eva Longoria). However, unforeseen work obligations interfere with their 25th anniversary plans, forcing him onto a perilous path with an inexperienced partner, Travis – a former police academy flop known for his chatty nature and infectious enthusiasm. As hijackers, led by Banner (Jack Kesy) and Miguel (Ismael Cruz Córdova), threaten their safety, Russell finds himself drawing on hidden reserves of action-hero prowess to protect them all.
The Prime original film rated R received a 33% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, lower than the 46% earned by Murphy’s Christmas comedy “Candy Cane Lane” in 2023, but surpassing the infamously panned “A Thousand Words” (0%) and “The Adventures of Pluto Nash” (6%) from 2002.
In comparison, “The Pickup” has underperformed significantly compared to 2019’s critically acclaimed “Dolemite,” which remains Murphy’s highest-rated film at a staggering 97%. More recent straight-to-streaming sequels such as “Beverly Hills Cop 4” (67%) and “Coming 2 America” (49%) have also seen mixed reviews. Unfortunately, the movie isn’t resonating well with audiences either; it currently holds a 47% rating on the Popcornmeter with an average 3.1 out of 5 stars.
User Michael G expressed his fondness for Eddie Murphy yet questioned why he often stars in less-than-stellar films, having only given half a star to ‘The Pickup’. Will G, another fan of Murphy, shares the sentiment, stating that Murphy is underutilized in this movie. On the other hand, Katie S finds ‘The Pickup’ to be an excellent summer comedy, and Lindsey P considers it one of the best Eddie Murphy movies she has seen in a long time.
The Pickup is now streaming on Prime Video.
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2025-08-07 21:13