Rating: 
Summary: Are they kidding...?
Review: F. Gray Gray directs with hardly a Gray clue in this slow/tedious movie with a bunch of guys who can not act, a terrible script, and Charlize Theron (who is actually good at acting, but seems to accept really terrible roles) and this was no exception. Donald Sutherland's role was too brief. Paramount Pictures is really the pits these days.
Rating: 
Summary: An all around great move!
Review: I had no doubts when I purchased the ticket for this movie. I knew that it was going to be a good one. The plot of this movie was well developed: a team of highly trained thieves successfully steal gold from under the feet of the owner (literly) only to be double crossed by one of there own. This is where the famous quote "revenge is a bit**" comes in. If you like a movie with humor, drama and a good old fashion car chase with a modern day twist, or if you want to take the family out to see a movie, this honestly is the movie to go see.
Rating: 
Summary: slight but moderately enjoyable caper film
Review: Urbanites who spend half their waking hours stuck in non-stop traffic jams may get a kick out of "The Italian Job," in which one of the characters finds a way to bring almost the entire metropolitan LA area to a gridlocked standstill. The film, a remake of a 1969 vehicle starring Michael Caine, is an entertaining caper tale that provides all the elements we expect to find in a film of this sort: the elaborate heists, the high tech gadgetry, the inevitable double crosses and the benevolent thieves who would give Mother Teresa a run for her money in the pure-of-heart sweepstakes. The story begins in Venice, Italy, where a cadre of thieving buddies, under the tutelage of one Charlie Croker (Mark Wahlberg), pulls off an amazing heist of some gold bars valued at $35 million. But before any of the guys have had a chance to even cash in and enjoy their stake, they are betrayed by one of their own - Steve, played by Edward Norton - who kills their mentor, the beloved John Bridger (Donald Sutherland), and leaves the rest of the gang for dead in a near-frozen river in the snowy Alps. A year later, thawed out and not a little peeved at the turn of events, Charlie and the rest of the crew discover Steve's whereabouts in Los Angeles and plot out an enormously complicated scheme to exact their revenge - more for their slain buddy, of course, than for the gold itself. The plotting is never really as compelling as it could be, but "The Italian Job" boasts enough finesse and skill in its execution to make the film fun for most of its running time. The biggest flaw in the screenplay is that it doesn't take full advantage of the tension and conflict inherent in the narrative setup. We want to see more confrontation scenes between the "good" thieves and the one "bad" one, but Steve rarely spends any screen time confronting his pursuers. That's why the best scene by far is one that occurs in a restaurant when the antagonists DO actually square off against each other fact to face. The overall lack of interaction between these two forces might have been less noticeable and detrimental had the filmmakers come up with any internecine conflicts among Charlie and the other members of his brigade. Instead, these guys all get along so swimmingly with one another that all we are really able to do is watch the mechanics of the storyline as they play themselves out. The men have no disagreements, no differences of opinion and no conflicts of interest within their happy little group, a defect in the screenplay which robs the film of some of the tension it might otherwise have had. Still, "The Italian Job" is a smooth, fairly standard, fairly enjoyable little time waster with a few good chases both on land and sea, some deft acting and a smattering of amusing one-liners to keep us from walking out of the theater. That one forgets the movie the minute one leaves the theatre is pretty much par for the course for this genre anyway.
Rating: 
Summary: REDEFINES CAR CHASES
Review: It seems the narrow streets of Paris are a favorite ground for film mavens to stuff dizzying traffic into. What "Ronin" did a few years ago and to a lesser extent "Bourne Identity" did as recently as last year, "Italian Job" takes one step further: sweat-your-palms car chase cameos. Only, the setting is LA. Mini Cooper (now a BMW number) makes it possible with all the slickness of a lean and mean vehicle and the climax shots are dazzling. If you are looking for an old fashioned fast-paced action flick, this is your bag. The story is not altogether unpredictable (barring a couple of decent plot twists), in fact the basic theme is based on Michael Caine's 1969 movie of the same name. The action is of a typical 21st century variety, but without any of the computer-aided farces as in "Matrix Reloaded". Charlize Theron oozes sex appeal, Norton is pretty convincing in his bad guy role (I am actually beginning to like this guy). A fairly decent reason to grab some weekend popcorn.
Rating:
Summary: Really fun film with actors obviously enjoying themselves!
Review: The Italian Job is a remake of a British film of the same name. I doubt there is a great deal here that is reminiscent of the original except the Minis. That said, the actors in this film are quite obviously having a great time and it shows. These actors are up to the task and then some. Mark Wahlberg, Donald Sutherland, Seth Green, Edward Norton, Charlize Theron, Mos Def and a few others are here chewing up the scenery, milking the fun for all it's worth. The plot is relatively simple: Thieves who don't use guns steal 37 million in gold bricks - they get double crossed and have it stolen themselves - then they attempt to retrieve their ill-gotten gains. What my synopsis doesn't tell you is there are all sorts of fun Bond-like devices and screwy situations that will keep you laughing and amazed at the same time. Mark Wahlberg amazes me. He earned my respect in Boogie Nights, but here he shows he's got longer legs to stretch as he tackles the straight man role in a comedic film. He is really up to the task. Seth Green is hilarious in his role, Norton, suitably creepy, Mos Def - unknown to me before - really a contender, and of course, Charlize Theron as the ingenue, is believable and engaging. Nah, this film isn't great, but it's really good and it's almost good "clean" fun. There is no sex, plenty of violence (but none graphic and none that is any worse than you'll find on TV), and only a few four letter words (to suitably secure a PG rating). I think you'll have a blast watching this film. I know I did.
Rating:
Summary: starring the mini cooper
Review: Gripping presentation, tight plot, and fantastic artists make this movie a worthy watch. It keeps you glued to your seats throughout. Its payback time for Norton when he leaves his partners in crime for dead to be the sole reaper of the benefits. Wahlberg, the organizer, orchestrates a perfect plan to bring his hard earned (no, not really his) gold back into his own safe with the help of his very own safe cracker, Theron. Edward Norton does a great job as the negative character. Donald Sutherland makes his presence felt in his brief role. Mark Wahlberg and Charlize Theron have chemistry. And the Mini Cooper steals the show. All thriller fans and others, check it out.
Rating:
Summary: THRILLing movie
Review: I have not seen a movie this good in awhile. I found it completely entertaining and 100% enjoyable. The cast and crew did a great job and so did the Mini Coopers. Very cool stunts with the cars, very good thieves, and very good heist(s). This is a movie I will see many times while it is in theatres, I will buy it and I will watch it many times more. Go see it!
Rating:
Summary: Just another Hollywood job.
Review: The Italian job part of *The Italian Job* is strictly within the first 10 or 15 minutes; the rest of this mess is filmed in the much cheaper locales in and around Los Angeles. If you even care, it should be noted that this is a very loose remake of a negligible British film with the same title. In this version, there is plenty of trendy industrial music to accompany the quickly edited chase scenes, a scheme that clearly works when one considers the fellow sitting in the row in front of me at my local multiplex: the guy was literally rocking in his seat, rubbing his hands together manically, and shouting out the occasional "YAH!" No longer able or willing to create plausible action pictures, the Hollywood Machine has hit upon the secret of appealing to the hyperactive inner child in all of us. However, those not easily prone to rocking in their seats will find themselves indefatigably bored with this movie. Not as bored, though, as Edward Norton appeared to be. This arrogant actor displays his superior attitude to this material by giving what can be kindly described as a non-performance. (The rumor mill has given out that Norton had to participate in *The Italian Job* in order to meet the terms of the studio's contract.) Given his track record thus far, his arrogance is unwarranted. The truly great actors earn their reputation for greatness by making watchable movies that would be otherwise unwatchable without their presence. (Rather like Michael Caine, who -- surprise! -- was in the original *Italian Job*.) In other words, Norton could stand to learn something about teamwork from co-star Donald Sutherland, whose early departure in the film is sorely missed. Between Norton, Mark Wahlberg (in the Caine role), and the always-overacting Charlize Theron, true talent and screen-charisma are nowhere to be found: the excessively featured Mini-Coopers have more personality than the cast. But mine is the minority -- and therefore meaningless -- opinion, since today's audiences prefer the hypnotic and subliminal pleasures of constant noise, flashing lights, seizure-inducing editing, and unceasing product placement to the more difficult pleasures to be found in plausible storytelling. See *The Italian Job* -- then go see your Mini-Cooper dealer after the movie. Because, after all, a market tie-in's job is NEVER done.
Rating:
Summary: FUN RIDE: and That's What We Want
Review: After that dreadful remake called (For"Get Carter"), another Michael Caine film is brought from the vault. Mr. Caine himself in one interview made it clear that he is very proud of the original film made in 1969, and I am sure he will not be so sad after watching this slickly done remake. The new story itself is loosely connected with the original, so let's stop saying 'remake? not again' and see this one as a well-crafted heist movie. The premise is surprisingly simple. One heist in Venice leads to double-crossing, and after one year the betrayed thieves get a chance for revenge in Los Angels. The film features gripping sequences of stealing a big heavy safe, wild motor-boat ride (that must have scared the people in Venice) and car chase of three Mini-Coopers, which literally steals the show with very useful agility. Actors are all good, but all typecast, so you can tell who is the traitor or who got killed while watching the opening credits. Two names might attract you such as Mark Wahlberg as Charlie, nominal leader of the group, and Charlize Theron as Stella who decides to break the law for her personal reasons, but it is supporting actors like computer-wizard Seth Green or Jason 'Handson Rob' Statham that really impress you with unexpectedly comical turns. You also see Edward Norton, Mos Def, Franky G, and ubiquitous Donald Sutherland. Michael Caine does not appear himself, probably because of his regret of having done it in "Carter," but it does not mean that he is all gone from the film. Try to spot 'him.' The greatest value of the film lies in F. Gary Gray's skillful handling of the characters, and his proficient staging of actions, especially the ones using three Mini-Coopers. But why Mini-Coopers, you might ask. Like the original, these characters have to use them in the crutial scenes, so let's not say this is product placement. Actually, you may say those cars running like daredevil are the true star of the film.
Rating:
Summary: Totally entertainment
Review: 2 hours of non stop entertainment. Never slows down and kept me on the edge of my seat through the whole show. Also, some unexpected turns and twists to the plot. I liked it a lot! A must see!
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