The story revolves around the staff of The Tower, an upscale residential building in New York City. Josh Kovacs (Ben Stiller) is the building manager who takes great pride in his job. Arthur Shaw (Alan Alda), a wealthy businessman residing in The Tower, is arrested by the FBI for a Ponzi scheme, and it’s revealed that the staff’s pension fund was invested in his fraudulent scheme.
Discovering that their pensions have been lost, Josh and a group of employees decide to take matters into their own hands. They enlist the help of Slide (Eddie Murphy), a small-time crook with a history of stealing from the rich.
The plan is to steal back the money Shaw stole from them. To execute the heist, they recruit additional members, including Charlie (Casey Affleck), Enrique (Michael Peña), and Odessa (Gabourey Sidibe).
As the team prepares for the heist, they face various challenges and obstacles within The Tower, including elaborate security systems. They also discover that the FBI is monitoring Shaw’s penthouse.
The climax of the film occurs during the Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. The team executes a daring plan to break into Shaw’s penthouse and steal back the money. The heist is filled with comedic moments, clever strategies, and unexpected twists.
In a surprising turn, the FBI arrives to arrest Shaw just as the team is about to make their escape. The stolen money is returned to the staff, and Shaw is taken into custody.
The movie concludes with the staff celebrating their victory, and Josh, who had faced doubts about his competence, redeems himself in the eyes of his colleagues.
“Tower Heist” is known for its comedic approach to the heist genre and its commentary on social and economic issues. The film combines humor with action elements, making it an entertaining ensemble comedy.