Film Review: The Pickup (Amazon Prime)

Eddie Murphy, Pete Davidson, and a whole lot of déjà vu.
Walking into a packed theater for The Pickup was a surprise—Eddie Murphy still draws a crowd. But for this reviewer, it felt like déjà vu in Dolby surround. Maybe it’s age, maybe it’s the industry, but screeners lately have been so formulaic it’s almost laughable. Speaking of laughs, Eddie Murphy is undeniably one of the greats in comedy. But lately? He’s become “that guy”—the Samuel L. Jackson of comedy, playing himself in every role. Murphy’s performance here is a familiar cocktail: snarky quips, nostalgic monologues, and the occasional curse word for flavor. It’s Axel Foley-lite, again. Two solid laugh-out-loud moments aside, it’s Murphy doing Murphy. And it’s starting to feel like watching your once-hilarious grandpa recycle old jokes—charming, but mostly out of obligation.
Now, Pete Davidson. He’s not that guy—not yet. While he’s had sparks on SNL, his film presence is still flickering. His signature slouched posture and perpetually confused expression are back, and they’re wearing thin. His delivery feels like a middle school drama class project—awkward, undercooked, and lacking range. Davidson needs a new gear, because this one’s stuck.
The plot? A wild ride straight out of the Fast & Furious playbook—minus the charisma. The car chases are endless, physics-defying, and borderline cartoonish. When a “reality-based” film starts feeling like a superhero flick, it’s time to check out. Suspension of disbelief? Shattered.
Keke Palmer as Zoe, the villain (or is she?), gives it her all—but the script gives her nothing. Her emotional arc is so underdeveloped it’s hard to care. No depth, no connection, just a vague backstory and a predictable breakdown.
Then there’s Andrew Dice Clay, making a nostalgic cameo as the pickup service boss. He starts strong, but quickly veers into uncomfortable territory. His signature whiny voice resurfaces, and it’s jarring—like watching an aging Pee Wee Herman trying to relive his prime. It’s not funny anymore. It’s just weird.
The film lacks heart. Murphy coasts through, seemingly relying on his legacy to carry the weight. The final scene is especially telling—zero emotion, zero effort. It’s a far cry from the Murphy who once had us in stitches. Remember Metro? That jailhouse phone scene? That was Murphy at his best. Where did that guy go?
Oddly enough, the audience loved it. Cheers during car flips, applause at the end, even some “Whoo whoo!”s. It felt like a standing ovation for a subpar school play. This wasn’t Avengers: Endgame or Rocky II. It was below mid-tier, yet the crowd was ecstatic. Maybe it’s nostalgia. Maybe it’s lowered expectations. But for this reviewer, it was a head-scratcher.
Eddie Murphy can still be great. But The Pickup isn’t it. He’s dialing it in—and some of us are still paying attention.
If you’re in the mood to spend an hour and thirty-four minutes on a Prime Video action-comedy that’s light on impact but heavy on forgettability, then “The Pickup” might just be your perfect detour. No promises on lasting impressions—but hey, sometimes at the end of the day, mindless entertainment is the point.

-Jay Katz