THANKSGIVING is one of the major holidays in America, celebrated in New York with an annual parade which in this action-packed comedy provides a perfect cover for a daring robbery.

The writer of the Ocean’s Eleven screenplay co-writes the script for this largely entertaining if completely preposterous romp.

The laws of physics are ignored for its final flourish when characters accomplish an impossible feat in a similarly impossible short time span to ensure the good guys have a fighting chance of recouping stolen money.

It’s a pity as it dissipates dramatic tension and negates any hint of jeopardy.

The unlikely mastermind is Josh Kovacs (played by Ben Stiller), proud manager of The Tower, one of the most luxurious and tightly secured residences in New York city.

But he makes the ruinous decision of entrusting the workers’ pensions to Wall Street titan Arthur Shaw (Alan Alda), who is placed under house arrest after he is caught stealing $2bn from investors.

With the employees’ futures gone and convinced Arthur must have a multi-million-dollar safety net concealed in his penthouse, Josh approaches petty thief Slide (Eddie Murphy) to plot the perfect heist with others, including concierge Charlie (Casey Affleck), housemaid Odessa (Gabourey Sidibe) and recently evicted resident Chase (Matthew Broderick).

The film gallops along at a fair lick, with Stiller a likeable hero risking everything to ensure the staff aren’t swindled.

Broderick, Affleck and Sidibe lend solid support, while Alda essays a fittingly loathsome villain.

However, Murphy threatens to sink the film every time he opens his mouth and launches into his high volume, flamboyant schtick.

Action sequences are orchestrated with aplomb, careening through those gaping holes in the script at breakneck speed.