Rating: Summary: Biggest Product Placement Ever? Review: I know i have seen films with *more* product placement than this -- the average Bond film, these days, has more overall -- but i don't think i ever saw a single *bigger* piece of product placement.I mean, would this film have even been made if BMW hadn't felt a need to promote their new "Mini Cooper"? That said, i have to admit that this is not the sort of steaming pile of cowchips that the 2000 "remake" of "Gone in 60 Seconds" was -- they have wisely not tried to do an "improved" version of the original, but have actually done what might have been a sequel (one was sort-of planned), if it had begun with Charlie and Co. getting out of the cliffhanger that ended the original film, followed by a double-cross by a gang member. It has neither the charm nor the Britishness of the original, and it sorely misses Michael Caine and Noel Coward (though i'm just as glad Seth Green's character didn't recycle the Benny Hill computer expert character from the first film...), nor is the chase so inventive or so sustained (though it does have several direct references to the original film's chase) but it's okay if you take it on its own terms as a light action film, useful for killing part of an afternoon if you don't think too hard. Since the original is also available on DVD -- i believe there's a reasonably-priced two-fer available on Amazon -- one might amuse oneself by seeing if one can manage to siot through both back-to-back, and decide which is the better. My personal choice would be the original, but there are more than a few decent moments in the remake. The Bottom Line: Not bad, but unnecessary.
Rating: Summary: Funniest DVD cover of all time Review: An above average film with some pretty cool characters (Seth Green and Mos Def are the two best characters in the film) and some above average scenes. However, the highlight of the film is the cover of the DVD and the methods the director of photography tries to mask the fact that Marky Mark Wahlberg is about half a foot shorter than Charlize Theron! Every trick in the book is used (down shots, both characters sitting down, fast cuts). The cover is just hilarious, for it to be real Marky Mark would have to be about six foot three inches tall. A solid way to spend a couple of hours on a slow night.
Rating: Summary: A great mind trip. Review: Well written - keeps you guessing the whole time.
Rating: Summary: Haiku Review Review: It's good but not great. Strong plot; characters okay. Cast enjoyed the shoot.
Rating: Summary: What I'm NOT Going To Do Review: I'm not going to tell you that THE ITALIAN JOB is the most amazing flick ever. In fact, I'm not even going to tell you that it's a good "caper comedy" like the professional review at the top of the page does. I don't even know where that comes from. Granted, the movie has some funny lines, but it's no comedy. What I AM going to tell you is that this is a good movie if you want a fast-paced action flick. It has clever heists, some amusing dialogue, a couple of great chase sequences, some very pituresque locales (the first part of the film was shot in Europe), and the players all give very solid performances. As another reviewer noted, this is a great popcorn flick. Was THE ITALIAN JOB the most memorable movie of 2003? No, but the buzz surrounding it was pretty positive. That got me to go see it when it was in the theaters and I wasn't disappointed. I liked it well enough to get it when it came out on DVD. I think most other people will like it, too.
Rating: Summary: The Italian Job Review: These kinds of action capers are what they are; a lot of fun to watch. After a job in Vinece goes sour, a gang of theives go for revenge aginst the man that double crossed them. All of the actors are playing more or less to type. Mark Wahlberg is the charismatic leader of the theives, laying on the charm. Charlize Theron is the sex symbol they use to get in close. Seth Green is the stand out performer here as a computer nerd with a huge grudge against Napster. Edward Norton dose the slipery, slimy bad guy, ozzing out the evil in stinky layers (man, what a horrid goate!). Donald Sutherland is the elderly theif passingthe mantel down to the next generation. And Mos Def and Jason Statham rounding out the cast. The action scenes are wonderful, exciting and fast paced, making good use of the congested L.A. free way and subway systems. It isn't deep, but it is good, well worth your time.
Rating: Summary: good Review: this was the most amazing movie i have seen. i love it!
Rating: Summary: Bah! Humbug on yet another lousy remake Review: Either I've overdosed on Hollywood's feverish cannibalism of its past glories or this is just basically a lousy movie. With Mark Wahlberg in the cast, I should have been warned. He contributed mightily to the destruction of the "Planet of the Apes" movie franchise. In this one, he plays his usual cocky, smirking self. Why these movie makers decided to remake an okay action flick from the 70s is a mystery. You'd think that with so many countless movie majors and movie buffs and aspiring screenwriters desperate to see their work on screen, movie moguls would give them a chance--instead of feasting voraciously on past glories. I'm preparing to watch yet another remake--"Texas Chainsaw Massacre"--and I really really hope I'm going to like it because it will have to be damned good to surpass the l973 original. Advice to Mark Wahlberg: stop signing on to remake junk. Get a new agent. Do something fresh and act like you really enjoy what you're doing.
Rating: Summary: A fine popcorn caper flick! Review: If you are in the mood for a nimble caper film, with great locations, inventive heists, some spiffy chase scenes and loaded with a terrific cast, pick this one up. Really. Grab a tub of popcorn and enjoy. F. Gary Gray makes good-looking, smart movies. And they always seem to be better than you originally gave them credit for. I'll tell you I personally won't be making that mistake again. The cast is perfect eye candy. They look great delivering tasty lines. Donald Sutherland adds his gravitas. Mark Wahlberg and Charlize Theron will keep appropriate hormones percolating briskly. Seth Green offers his brand of geek cred, and I mean that in the best way. Mos Def continues to surprise...he's really good here. Jason Statham makes the most of his part, using every bit of his developing iconic presence. His look goes a long way. Edward Norton adds another intelligent characterization to his resume. It's a one-dimensional role (hell, they all are but who really cares here...) but the details and quirks make all the difference in the world. All in all, a surprisingly enjoyable film!
Rating: Summary: Too predictable Review: This movie is painfully predictable. I had to force myself to stop watching this movie halfway through; it was that bad. The plot has been overused. Please stay away...
|