The Italian Job

Rating:
Summary: Try it yourself..
Review: ..there is no concidence about the grille of the Mini appearing to have a mischievous grin (go, take a look - at the original Issigonis masterpiece..)..it's in the car's ability to be driven in the manner of a scalded cat and thrown anywhere and still bring the driver out smiling as broadly as the car seems to..

..combine that illusion with the talents of Michael Caine and the attitude prevalent in the 1960s when mischief of any kind was done with an impish grin (OK, so that doesn't include the Richardsons..)..on screen anyway..and you have the kind of movie that makes a rainy saturday seem as bright as the Turin skies.

All the reviews below (above?) are spot on - rent it/buy it (DVD at last!!)/steal it (Charlie would)..but see it..

..doubt me? See the movie, sell the minivan..get a mini..learn to brake with the left foot at speed (in a car with a stickshift?..no idea what I'm talking about?..watch them drift across the Piazza) then tell me I'm wrong.

Enjoy.

Rating:
Summary: You're only supposed to blow the bl**dy doors off!!
Review: A snapshot of all things British: Football, beer, Minis and getting one over on those Europeans where ever possible. A classic film

Rating:
Summary: Still good after all these years
Review: The Caper genre has been around for a long time but isn't seen all that much these days or, in my mind, done as well. The latest, of course, was the REMAKE of "Ocean's Eleven" and the REMAKE of "The Thomas Crown Affair".

However, for what it is, this is still a very fun film and is definately one of the all-time Car Buff favorites because of the Minis and, unlike some, Car Buffs enjoy ALL the Mini scenes, especially the "practice" sessions. The ending "theme" song is still popular.

This movie is also timely right now since BMW has just introduced the new retro designed Rover MINI to the U.S. market. And, as a matter of information, used/restored "old" Minis are still being imported to the U. S. in decent numbers. The only odd thing about this movie is why it took so long to finally be offered on tape and then, after a couple of years, get down to such a great price. I can remember waiting and waiting for this movie to be released on VHS. Something along the lines of the wait for "LeMans".

Rating:
Summary: British Robbers in Italy
Review: Great car chase with Mini cars. Watch out for Benny Hill the famous comedian in a cameo role. Michael Caine is his usual "cockney" self but his humour and natural acting is very good. Cliffhanger ending has never been copied to date. The beginning is superb when the song "On Days like These" plays to exquisitely beautiful mountain scenery until.... Why spoil the suprise? Watch this movie and find out.

Rating:
Summary: Hollywood is sooooo predictable
Review: Since my review of February 9th, I've learned that some painfully talentless and typically unoriginal hacks ARE filming a remake, starring (Gasp!) "Marky" Mark Wahlberg as Charlie Croaker, to be released in 2003.

The film is directed by F. Gary Gray, who brought us such memorable films as "Friday" and "Set It Off". I'm sure someone must remember them...

One positive note: I'm sure the GENUINE ITEM will finally be available on DVD in time for the run-up to this ersatz Italian Job.

Rating:
Summary: Must-own for Car Chase Junkies
Review: My attention was turned to this movie because of the awesome Playstation game based on it. I was impressed to see that it was G-rated, when a story like this today would be made into a PG-13 or R-rated movie. It had an interesting story, and by far the best part of the movie was the hilarious car chase at the end, with the police trying to chase down three Mini Coopers making their own route through Turin, Italy. The ending is also quite funny. Even if you're not into British humour, the car chase and ending are worth watching.

Rating:
Summary: Wow, what a ride!
Review: There are few genres as enduring in the movie biz as the heist and they don't come any more entertaining than this one. Michael Caine is at his best as a fresh-out-of-jail, small-time crook who decides to pull the job of the century. To achieve this, he sets about finding someone to bankroll the enterprise, in the person of Noel Coward. Coward, a big time syndicate boss is still running his business from jail and after some persuasion, agrees.

Caine then sets about assembling a cast of idiosyncratic no-hopers to carry out his bold plan, among them Benny Hill, an electronics wizard with a fondness for fat women. After much practicing, three teams in Mini Coopers (driven by "chinless wonders") set off for Italy with a bus-full or two of supporters all dressed as soccer fans. The arrival on the scene of the Mafia does little to dampen their enthusiasm and the fun really starts.

The climax of this action/farce is the car chase through the streets, sewers and even the skyline of Turin. Plenty of action, plenty of laughs and all very well paced. If anything, it's probably too short (though I don't mean the ending...) but I guess that just makes you appreciate it that much more. An old favorite which is hard to beat. Know wot I mean, Guv?

Rating:
Summary: Hey Hollywood! Learn from this, but DO NOT ATTEMPT A REMAKE!
Review: This film is perfect! You'd be wasting your time trying to "improve" on it, or bringing it "up-to-date" with Julia Roberts or Lou Diamond Phillips. You've already tried that sillyness with far too many films of lesser caliber. STOP IT! AT ONCE!
There's plenty to learn about movie-making in "The Italian Job", but, try being creative for a change!

Rating:
Summary: A little short on plot but high on adrenline.
Review: A must see for Noel Coward's prison queen and some terrific car stunts. That's about it. But hey...it's fun and relatively cheap.

Rating:
Summary: Don't be fooled...
Review: Don't be fooled by the artwork on the cover of the American release. This isn't a shoot'em up gangster/mafia movie. This is a smart, funny, imaginative movie about a heist. In the U.K. this movie is lauded as one of the best movies of the century. Maybe Michael Caine's absolute best movie! I've watched this movie dozens of times and it never gets boring! The most famous scene of the movie is the car chase with three mini-coopers! Besides being a car that defined a generation, the mini shows its stuff in this great scene! They drive on roofs, jump off roofs, drive thru water, down stairs, and it's a pleasure to watch!