Just noticed the review formatting has returned, thank god for that
Just noticed the review formatting has returned, thank god for that
Member since:29.08.2002
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As I’m sure is true with a lot of people the Italian Job is one of my favourite films. From the first time I saw the mini’s flying around Turin I knew that it would be a film I’d always love. So imagine my reaction when I heard they were going to remake it. I had visions of Get Carter flashing through my head, Sly Stallone ruining a classic film. But I thought I’d give it a change, I mean it can’t be that bad surely.
The short answer is no it wasn’t. Shortly before its release I discovered that it wasn’t going to be a remake at all. In fact it was going to be a different film using the ideas and concepts of the original. Yes the characters were the same and yes they were planning to steal a lot of gold but that’s where the similarities really ended. And what your left with is a pretty good heist film that actually exceeded my expectations.
The plot is fairly simple, we start in Venice where Charlie Croker (Mark Wahlberg) and his team are pulling off a daring heist using the cities vast waterways. He has called ex safecracker John Bridger (Donald Sutherland) out of retirement for one last job much to the annoyance of his daughter Stella (Charlie Theron).
They pull the job off without a hitch and escape to the mountains to hide out for a short time before heading back to the States.
However this turns out to be Bridger’s last job as Steve (Edward Norton) has other ideas for the gold. Rather than share it he set up a trap of his own and steals the money for himself. He shoots Bridger before Handsome Rob (Jason Statham) drives the van into the lake saving the rest of the Crew. Steve then makes off with the gold assuming the others all die.
Now Steve thinks he’s gotten away with it but Charlie and the others want to avenge John’s death and set about getting their gold back with the help of Stella who has followed in her fathers footsteps as a safe cracker. To do this they plan to create the biggest Traffic Jam that Los Angeles has ever seen and escape using Mini’s to get the gold away.
The story does sound quite similar towards the end but the actual film was a lot better than I had anticipated. Brought to us by director F Gary Gray, who also brought us The Negotiator, has actually done a really good job here. The script has been written well and shows enough respect to the original version with a mention at one point. There’s also a scene when Steve turns the Tele on to watch Michael Caine in Alfie. The soundtrack doesn’t really have a memorable piece like the “Self Preservation Society”, but Velvet Revolvers cover of “Money” is a very good track other than that the rest is pretty average.
The film was put together well, with explosions looking very realistic and although some of the ideas were a little far fetched (Can’t tell you which but when you see it you’ll know) involving the truck and of course the helicopter. They really were done well, a little over the top as far as the story was concerned but certainly done in a good way. The best scene’s though do involve the mini’s, as they fly around the city trying to get away with the gold. However it still went no way to topping the original.
The settings from the outset are superb from the waterways of Venice to the underground system of LA, it would appear that Gray has put a lot of thought into his homage to the original film. Gray has made some excellent choices in the film, however I feel the one that he really slipped up on was the casting. Unfortunately I feel that Wahlberg was totally the wrong choice to lead the cast. Although I normally like him in films I thought this was one of the roles he really wasn’t suited for.
I’d been impressed with him in other films but unfortunately I really didn’t believe him in this. Charlie Theron did exactly what was expected of her. She was the leading lady, there to provide the personal and love interest in the film. The main problem though was the casting of Edward Norton as Steve. Normally I love him in films, I’ve never seen him put in a bad performance, well till now. He didn’t actually want to be in the film but was actually contractually obliged to by the studio and I think it does reflect in his performance that his heart wasn’t in it.
The rest of the cast are good especially Seth Green and Jason Statham, both of whom I seem to like almost everything they have done. The real stars of the show though really has to be the three mini’s, well in fact they used about 50. I actually quite fancy getting one of the new shape mini’s and when I win the lottery I just might but they do look good cars and do nothing but enhance that image in the film. It’s really just one big advert for the new Mini.
So apart from a dodgy lead casting decision and the bad guy who really didn’t want to be in the film but whose character was fairly weak anyway. The film overall is good and as long as you don’t think of it as a remake of the original you will be alright. It seems to suggest to be more of a homage than anything else and as such it actually works really well. If you have a multi-region DVD player it can be bought right now from CD-wow.com on Region 1 for £14.99 as far as a British release goes, a date is still to be confirmed.
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Production Year: 1964 - Action/Adventure - Director: Cyril Endfield - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring:Stanley Baker, Jack Hawkins, Ulla Jacobsson, James Booth, Michael Caine, Nigel Green
Production Year: 2007 - Action/Adventure - Director: Paul Greengrass - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring:Matt Damon, Julia Stiles, Joan Allen, Edgar Ramirez, David Strathairn, Paddy Considine, Albert Finney
Production Year: 2002 - Action/Adventure - Director: Vincenzo Natali - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring:Lucy Liu, David Hewlett, Anne Marie Scheffler, Joseph Scoren, Matthew Sharp, Jeremy Northam
I can't imagine Mark Wahlberg playing Charlie Croker in quite the same way as Michael Caine, and it sounds as if it wasn't the best casting ever, but this still sounds interesting to see. I did love the original and have seen it many many times.
s_jones_2003 25.04.2004 12:46
Never seen the original let alone the re-make, where have I been! Sarah x
SexWarNRobots 22.04.2004 19:55
I liked the original but actually thought that this one was actually better
Though it bears little resemblance to the celebrated 1969 original starring Michael Caine, ... more
this 2003 remake ofThe Italian Jobstands on its own as a caper comedy that's well above average. The title's a misnomer--this time it's actually a Los Angeles jo...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Though it bears little resemblance to the celebrated 1969 original starring Michael Caine, ... more
this 2003 remake ofThe Italian Jobstands on its own as a caper comedy that's well above average. The title's a misnomer--this time it's actually a Los Angeles jo...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 10 to 13 days...
This stylish and contemporary update of the 1969 Michael Caine classic sees mastermind ... more
Charlie Croker (Mark Wahlberg) and his team - inside man Steve (Edward Norton) computer genius Lyle (Seth Green) wheelman Handsome Rob (Jason Statham) explosives ...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
The plan was flawless. The execution was perfect. Charlie Croker pulled off the crime of a ... more
lifetime. The one thing that he didn't plan was being double-crossed. Now he wants more than the job's payoff...he wants payback. Mark Wahlberg is electrifying a...
Advantages: Brilliant cast, superb soundtrack, funny moments, well-written script Disadvantages: The original might be spoilt if Hollywood suceed in making a modern remake of this. The Italian Job without Michael Caine would suck!
Disillusioned 03.08.2001 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of The Italian Job (DVD)
Advantages: Brilliant cast, superb soundtrack, funny moments, well-written script Disadvantages: The original might be spoilt if Hollywood suceed in making a modern remake of this. The Italian Job without Michael Caine would suck!
Disillusioned 03.08.2001 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of The Italian Job (DVD)
Advantages: One of my favourite films of all time, an absolute classic film still enjoyed today. Disadvantages: It has taken its time to arrive in DVD format.
hepialid 20.12.2002 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of The ItalianJob (DVD)
![The Italian Job[DVD] [2003]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78523706.jpg "The Italian Job[DVD] [2003]")
Nov 29th, 2003
(Apr 21st, 2004)
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