TOO-cool-for-school criminals, ridiculously complex plots, impossible escape plans - heist movies of late have led me to avoid the genre altogether.
Doing away with the nauseating slickness of most is Tower Heist, a fun and cleverly written little offering from the guy who gave us action/comedy series Rush Hour.
Not surprising, the story isn't complicated - robbed of their hard-earned retirement money, a group of loveable working stiffs avenge the billionaire swindler-culprit by amateurishly breaking into his high-rise penthouse in search of hidden hundreds.
Each performer steps up to his/her role with finesse. Matthew Broderick is adorable as bumbling loner Mr Fitzhugh and it's a pleasure to see Alan Alda - best known as Hawkeye in TV series MASH and several charming characters in Woody Allen classics - as smarmy bad-guy Arthur Shaw.
Make no mistake, however, this is Eddie Murphy's time to shine and oh how he glitters as tough-talking petty crook Slide.
Interestingly, Tower Heist began as an idea by Murphy that would star him and an all-black cast of comedians who rob Trump Plaza in New Jersey.
Ultimately, this is a good holiday-popcorn flick, but be warned, there are some scenes with characters dangling outside the tower that those with vertigo will want to avoid.
TOWER Heist (M)
Directed by: Brett Ratner
Starring: Eddie Murphy, Ben Stiller, Casey Affleck
Rating: Three-and-a-half stars
Screening: from December 26
Reviewed by: Sara Fitzpatrick