Review of The Italian Job (2003) by Simon S — 12 Jul 2014

An entertaining remake of the original 1969 British classic (or 'homage' according to director F. Gary Gray). The film might lack the actual cliffhanger (the orignal cliffhanger actually ended with a bus storing gold hanging off a cliff, see it?), but it does well at entertaining audiences with its action sequences, as well as containing some tributes to the orignal classic.

The Italian Job follows a team of thieves who plan to steal gold from a former associate who double-crossed them. Now, before I describe the entire movie, let's do the action sequences as I don't want to keep starting off my reviews the same ****ing way.

The action sequences include jacking a safe full of gold, escaping gangsters on boats through the Venice canals, escaping an ambush by a crew member who has betrayed the others, break into a vault at the double-crosser's house, blow up part of a street in order to rob a van full of the gold, and drive away with the gold in three souped-up Mini Coopers.

The action sequences are incredibly entertaining thanks to perfect execution from the stunts team, and director F. Gary Gray, who offers fast-paced sequences throughout the film, and keep the pace subtle, even in the slower moments.

He also manages to get full commitment from his cast, especially when working with action stars such as Mark Wahlberg, Charlize Theron (not much now), and Jason Statham (a regular). The film does manage to be highly superior to other mindless action movies with incohesive plots, plot holes, poor acting, writing, and direction, while also being overly-reliant on nonstop action sequences and very popular action stars.

The Italian Job does use some action stars, and might have little problems with its plot, but compared to those, it's a smarter, high-octane thrill ride (with actual thrills). The film offers up good acting from Wahlberg as Charlie Croker, the mastermind of the team and a professional thief seeking revenge for the murder of his mentor John Bridger, who is the father of his only child Stella Bridger, a professional safe and vault technician who prefers technology when cracking safe taken in by the team to help them, played by Charlize Theron.

Seth Green could've been annoying, but is likeable and entertaining to watch alongside Jason Statham and when typing on the keyboard as the computer expert Lyle (a.k.a. Napster), a hackef who claims to have invented Napster, and Jason Statham as "Handsome Rob", the premier wheelman, as well as the ladies man, something Lyle wants to but can't acomplish.

Edward Norton shows off as the villain Steve, the "inside man" during the Venice heist at the beginning of the movie who later betrays his "team". Donna and Wanye Powers offer us a cohesive plot, but also perfect settings for the action to take place.

Another thing they accomplish is offering enough character development to give the movie more layers than all the other generic action flicks. A must-see if you want some entertainment, or if you want an above-average action film.