TOWER HEIST | FAMILY MOVIE REVIEW INFORMATION FOR PARENTS AND KIDS

"TOWER HEIST"
(2011) (Ben Stiller, Eddie Murphy) (PG-13)

QUICK TAKE:: Action/Comedy: A small group of people attempts to break into a luxury high-rise tower to steal money from the penthouse level investor who stole their money.

PLOT:

Josh Kovacs (BEN STILLER) is the manager of a luxury high-rise residence in Manhattan where he works for Mr. Simon (JUDD HIRSCH) making sure to fulfill all of owners' needs, wants and desires with nothing short of perfection and complete satisfaction. And the biggest client of all is wealthy investor Arthur Shaw (ALAN ALDA) who lives on the penthouse level.

Accordingly, Josh makes sure his staff -- that includes the likes of Charlie (CASEY AFFLECK), whose wife is eight months pregnant; housekeeper Odessa (GABOUREY SIDIBE); veteran doorman Lester (STEPHEN McKINLEY HENDERSON); receptionist Miss Iovenko (NINA ARIANDA) who's studying for the bar exam; and new elevator operator Enrique (MICHAEL PENA), among many others -- is always at the top of their game. He must also contend with having to kick out the occasional down-on-his-luck resident, such as Mr. Fitzhugh (MATTHEW BRODERICK).

Things take an unexpected turn, however, when FBI agent Claire Denham (TEA LEONI) shows up and arrests Shaw for securities fraud. He's then put under house arrest in his penthouse, but Josh must inform the staff that their pensions are now all gone, what with Shaw having handled them. When Josh can't take it anymore, he thrashes Shaw's prized convertible -- which he has inside his unit -- and ends up fired, as do Charlie and Enrique for just being there during the incident.

When Claire informs Josh that $20 million of Shaw's net worth have never been accounted for, Josh comes to believe it's likely hidden in a secret safe tucked away in a remodeled wall. Accordingly, he convinces Charlie, Enrique and Mr. Fitzhugh to join him in planning and carrying out a heist of that safe. But as they have no experience, Josh decides to bring in his former childhood classmate turned neighborhood criminal, Slide (EDDIE MURPHY), to teach them the ropes.

With the odds stacked against them, the unlikely team then sets out to rob Shaw and get their and the other tower employees' money back.

WILL KIDS WANT TO SEE IT?: Teenagers will likely show some interest, especially if they're fans of anyone in the cast or crime caper films.

WHY THE MPAA RATED IT: PG-13: For language and sexual content.

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