The Italian Job

Rating:
Summary: lousy
Review: Some movies age well. This isn't one of them. Too much focus on what studs the guys are, and what totally clueless sex objects the women are. It's not even fun to watch as a period piece. The version with Edward Norton, Mark Wahlberg, et al, is much tighter and smarter and a heck of a lot more fun to watch. Don't even rent this piece of junk.

Rating:
Summary: Come on...did they REALLY need to re-make this?
Review: It is true that original ideas in Hollywood are even rarer than lasting show-biz marriages, but the remake of the '60's British classic "The Italian Job" stands out as the glaring example of the industry trying to pass off flash and flair in the guise of eye-candy actors and high-tech special effects in place of the human elements of acting chemistry and film craftsmanship.

The 1969 version of "The Italian Job" succeeded on so many levels; it was a fantastic film that was well-indicative of its time (the afterglow of the sexual revolution as well as the London fashion boom seen recently only on a second-hand basis from the Austin Powers movies in addition to Ing-er-lund's winning of the 1966 World Cup, British hipsters could actually display the Union Jack and sing "Rule, Britannia", unthinkable for the UK apologists of today) as well as a crime caper with a decidely different twist to the wit of say, the Rat Pack version of "Ocean's 11". And the distinctly European take on the car chase already iconocized in Steve McQueen's "Bullitt" demonstrated by the use of the ORIGINAL bumper-to-bumper crumple zoned Mini Coopers as opposed to the full-throated Detoit muscle flexed by "Bullitt"'s Dodge Charger and Ford Mustang is ably accentuated by some of the best stunt driving seen in a generation among some of the most beautifully picturesque backdrops in the world.

This is an admittedly dated, though terrifically quirky and extremely fun movie to watch. It's a fine example of why Michael Caine was one of the most charming actors of his generation and another example of what a movie can be when given over to human inspiration and creativity as opposed to a cookie-cutter script handed over to an overzealous special effects department. Rent the Wahlberg/Theron/Norton remake if you must; it's a good enough example of the quick fix mentality that prevents anything new and original from succeeding in Hollywood today. But for an example of a wonderfully produced and well-filmed classic MOVIE, this one's worth adding to the serious film afficinado's collection.

Rating:
Summary: A classic
Review: Forget the rotten remake, this is a classic caper
Excellent "cockney" Londoner acting, some inspired scripts and charming comedy moments
The English Mr Big in prison is cool
Great ending as well

Rating:
Summary: The original is still the best
Review: I remember seeing this movie on TV when I about 9 years old, yet I still remember it 30 years later. That's more than I can say for the re-release, which I saw at the theatre recently but can barely remember now. This movie preceeds a lot of the cliches we're now familiar with. Michael Caine is great as the lead character, and the ending is non-conventional.

Rating:
Summary: Well Crafted British Caper Film
Review: About 5 years ago the British Film Institute ran a poll of the greatest British films of all-time. This film placed high in the poll, above the likes of "A Hard Days Night" and "A Clockwork Orange" to name a few. "Empire", the British film magazine, on the DVD release of the film called it a "bank holiday classic". Let's just say that while this is far from a bad film, something must be lost in the translation. This film concerns itself with an elaborate plot to steal gold bullion from a military convoy through the crowded streets of Turin, Italy during a football match between the U.K. and Italy. The caper itself is amazingly well crafted. The crew's escape through a traffic jam in British Mini Coopers is even more impressive. What this film lacks in my mind is any characters that would give you some emotional attachment. Michael Caine is the star here and leader of the crew and he is suave, but a little too detached for my liking. The American remake that came out last year did a better job at crafting empathetic characters. On a final note this film has a strange cliffhanger ending that will leave you scratching your head.

Rating:
Summary: Disappointing & blundering
Review: I absolutely loved the remake -- partly because I'm very fond of those very sexy Minis -- so I was looking forward to watching the original, but this one's a bust. The movie drags, the superb actor Michael Caine comes across as oafish, the comedy comes across as inexplicable, and even the car chase scenes leave you wanting. In short, this one's worth skipping. Watch the new one if you've any interest in good car chases, reasonably interesting dialogue, or even a plot that makes sense.

Rating:
Summary: The Italian Job - Michael Caine
Review: A wonderful action movie set during 1969 Italy and England. This movie is actually better than the remake. When I first heard that someone had finished making the remake, I tried to find a copy of the original. I remembered seeing it on TV years ago and that it was a great show. The music in the original is super and true to the era. What makes this movie great is the Minis ofcourse, but also Michael Caine. I bought the original. Too bad they never made the sequel that had orginally been planned.