Overview

• The Pickup premiered globally on Prime Video on August 6 as part of Amazon MGM’s push for mid-budget originals
• Critics have awarded the film a Rotten Tomatoes score near 32%, describing it as a dull action-comedy that squanders its talent
• Reviewers fault the screenplay by Matt Mider and Kevin Burrows for leaning on tired clichés that leave characters underdeveloped
• Eddie Murphy’s exasperated straight-man turn alongside Pete Davidson’s eccentric rookie role has been criticized for misaligning the duo’s comedic strengths
• Despite Keke Palmer’s natural comic flair and Tim Story’s track record in Black-led comedies, the film is viewed as a misstep in Amazon’s star-driven strategy