Rating: 
Summary: Smart script + hi tech effects = slick flick
Review: "The Italian Job" is a slick, competent thriller. It's a blend of the story-driven crime capers of a generation ago and today's computer generated special effects techniques. For the most part, this combination succeeds. The action and the story are both strictly of the "only in the movies" variety, but they are fun to watch. "The Italian Job" may not be a classic, but it is quite entertaining. The movie opens in Venice, where John [Donald Sutherland], an old professional thief, and his protegee, Charlie [Mark Wahlberg], are in the final stages of planning a $35,000,000 gold heist with their gang. The exciting, though improbable, plan goes off without a hitch, but one of the members, Steve [Edward Norton], turns out to be a traitor. He and his own Ukrainian gang steal the gold and leave John, Charlie and the rest for dead in an Alpine lake. Steve ends up in Los Angeles, where he uses his gold to finance a lavish lifestyle. What he doesn't know is that everyone but John survived somehow, and now, along with John's beautiful daughter, Stella [Charlize Theron], the guys are out for revenge. The excellent cast, which also includes Seth Green and Jason Stratham, doesn't have much in the movie that tests its muscles talent-wise, but everyone performs with great gusto. They may be in 'just a movie', but at least it is far from an embarrassing one. Of particular note is the photography. It may be hard to make Venice and the Italian Alps looks bad, but this movie even manages to make Los Angeles look inviting.
Rating: 
Summary: Boring, absurd and ludicrous
Review: I read somewhere that Edward Norton appears in this film only due to contractual obligations. He thought the sceript was silly. And it is. Man, what a stupid history. After a promising beginning, everything goes downhill. Walhberg, as always, is his wooden face best. There's only a vague idea of a plot, nothing more. A big waste of time.
Rating:
Summary: Man OH Man! Find me a Mini Cooper to take a spin in :)
Review: First of all I guess I have to mention that I didn't think I would like it because I absolutely dislike Wahlberg's acting 98% of the time, especially after "Truth About Charlie". But WOW!!! was I pleasantly surprised. A really enjoyable flick all the reviews before me go into such details about all of the actors and I have to agree LOVED the Cast selection. Let's face it I have had a "thing" for Jason S. since {The Transporter} and he continues to catch my eye was perfect in his role as {Handsome Rob} Edward Norton definately is consistent with his acting skills, no surprise there. Seth Green was hilarious reminded me of {Rat Race} but none the less thought he was chosen wisely. Ahhh Mos Def as {Left Ear} I must say that I look forward to more roles for this versatile entertainer and Mark Wahlberg wasn't as bad as he was in {The Truth about Charlie} but he still is pretty stiff. Music soundtrack was GREAT!! The opening Boat chase scene in Venice was EXCELLENT. All those Car chase scenes with the mini coopers were cool and edgy. Storyline kept me engaged, interested and there were a few funny moments. I would recommend that you purchase this one if you like movies with Car Chases or re-makes. Respectfully Reviewed
Rating:
Summary: Teaching an old plot new tricks
Review: The only thing wrong with The Italian Job is a miscast Mark Wahlberg and a misused Charlize Theron. It's a pity that the film wasn't cast with an actor of Ed Norton's caliber in the role of Charlie Croker (played by Wahlberg. Norton can be quite a charming actor and it would have been interesting to see him in the role. Like the horrible reimagined Planet of the Apes, The Italian Job isn't a remake as such but using the same basic dramatic situation to create a new, interesting and kinetic film. The plot has been pretty well summarized before but it hinges more on the revenge angle than the original film (if memory serves); Charlie Croker (Wahlberg)and his mentor's daughter Stella (Charlize Theron)are going after one of their own. Ed Norton plays Steve a member of their gang who steals from his friends and then bumps off the John Bridges the head of their gang (Donald Sutherland). Croker and Stella set up the ultimate scam/heist to get what was theirs to begin with and extract revenge for the murder. The latter part of the film is set in Los Angeles although the Mini-Cooper's so prominent in the original film still have more than a featured cameo. Turning the original film's basic plot on its head helps make this version a refreshing take on the original tale. F. Gary Gray's direction infuses the film with enough energy to fuel two films. His direction is crisp, sharp and usually on target. The cast he and the producers assembled (including the marvelous Seth Green)can, for the most part, more than hold their own against the Michael Caine's crew in the 1969 film. The only major drawback, again, is Wahlberg who is adequate but doesn't bring any charisma to the role. A better choice to cast in the film would have been George Clooney who at least has the wattage to light up the role. The widescreen transfer looks very, very good. I don't own but did get a glimpse of the fullscreen version as well and it looked fairly good as well. The extras include five featurettes on everything from the making of the film to the stunt driving. While there isn't a director's commentary (much less one from the cast), perhaps that's all for the better. It seems the action speaks for itself. You'll notice you can get both films as a two DVD set. If you're a fan of the original and have seen this version and liked it, then it might be a better way to go vs. buying them individually. Unfortunately, the two Jobs set doesn't include anything beyond what's on them individually, so the only benefit might be in saving a bit of money. While it's not a bus full of gold, The 2003 film packs enough thrills, chills and spills to make it worthwhile viewing if nothing else than for a rental.
Rating: 
Summary: Oh Baby Is This Movie Good
Review: Although it bares little resemblance to the original. This was a masterpiece. It has all the makings of what a good movie should be. Great directing,excellent cast,terrific plot. And the wonderful car chase scenes. I haven't seen a movie this good since the remake of Ocean's Eleven. Add this to your DVD library.
Rating:
Summary: Fun, Upbeat Caper Flick
Review: Six men team up to pull off a complex heist in Venice, Italy. John (Donald Sutherland) is a veteran thief pulling off one last job. Charlie (Mark Wahlberg) is his protege at the helm of an operation for the first time. Kyle (Seth Green) is their computer guy. Left Ear (Mos Def) does explosives and demolition. Handsome Rob (Jason Statham) is the wheel man responsible for the getaway. And Steve (Edward Norton) infiltrates the target building. The object of their desire is a safe containing $35 million in gold bricks. The job goes as planned until Steve betrays his partners, leaves them for dead, and makes off with the loot. A year later, back in the United States, Charlie has tracked Steve down and reassembled his team to take back the gold and exact revenge for John's murder. John's daughter Stella (Charlize Theron), a safe expert who normally works on the right side of the law, joins them with vengence on her mind. Director F. Gary Gray has made an upbeat, funny and action-packed caper film. "The Italian Job" is light entertainment. The characters have just enough depth to bring them within the bounds of credibility and enough idiosyncrasies to make them entertaining. The film revolves around clever, complicated heists and spectacular chase scenes. Three souped up Mini Coopers and one vintage Mini are featured prominently. These little cars steal every scene they are in. "The Italian Job"'s stunts and chase sequences are not digitally enhanced. They were filmed the old fashioned way with lots of fancy driving and smashed cars, which gives them a sense of fun sometimes absent in modern action films. Sometimes I felt that too much time was spent on the antics of the obligatory colorful characters,which creates excessive lulls between substantive scenes. The movie tries desperately to make computer technology look interesting and sexy, which seems to be the (failed) mission of every action film these days. But "The Italian Job" is slick, fun, and energetic. It is only loosely based on the 1969 film of the same name. Recommended for a good time at the movies and to Mini Cooper aficionados everywhere. The DVD: Bonus features include a short "making of" documentary with interviews with director F. Gary Gray and the film's cast (except Edward Norton), interviews with the film's writers, a segment about the driving training that the actors received, a segment about the film's specially designed Mini Coopers, explanations of the film's most spectacular stunts including the unprecedented chase scene in Venice's canals, some deleted scenes, and the theatrical trailer. There are a few interesting tidbits, mostly about the cars.
Rating:
Summary: Talent, Excitement, & Mini Coopers
Review: First off you gotta love the cast. Mark Wahlberg, Charlize Theron, Edward Norton, Seth Green, Jason Statham, and Donald Sutherland. Then you gotta love the mini coopers - the coolest cars around. And beyond that there is a decent storyline - simple - but well done. The chase scenes are exciting and the movie is fun to watch. A group of high-tech, expert thieves loot millions of dollars worth of gold bars from Italy. But they don't quite get away with the spoils. . . The movie gets emotional enough without losing its mostly light-hearted nature. There aren't any major plot twists or any sort of seriously intense drama - this one is mostly about fun. A real pleaser.
Rating:
Summary: Thoroughly Enjoyable
Review: Some movies are made for you to think, reasses your life and the things around you. "The Italian Job" is not one of those movies. Instead what you get is a fast paced, funny heist movie that is well directed, well written and well acted. The set up is easy: after a heist, one of the crew back stabs his friends to steal the gold, killing their mentor in the process. A year later, the rest of the gang return to take what is theirs. In a movie like this, the setup isn't as imporatnt as the exucution, and director F. Gary Gray and his crew understand that. The heist is well set up, enjoyable, far-fetched but always entertaining. The cast is all top notch. Mark Wahlburg completes his remake trilogy(the god awful "Planet of the Apes" and the decent "Truth About Charlie") with one of his best performances to date, having a good time. Charlize Theron is excellent as the safe cracker, and the rest of the crew, Mos Def, Jason Stratham and Seth Green, are pitch perfect as the comic relief aspect of the movie. Even Ed Norton, as the villian, who didn't want to do this movie, looks as though he was having a fun time. "The Italain Job" is not going to change your opinion on anything. It doesn't want to. But as far as enteratinment goes, "The Italian Job" passes with flying colors. A really fun movie.
Rating:
Summary: A Snappy, Sparlking Caper(s) Film
Review: THE ITALIAN JOB has style and a grand sense of speed and action in one of the better caper films of recent years. Where other heist-based films push the button for unremitting tension, THE ITALIAN JOB combines sleekly written dialogue and character interaction which makes all of the tension scenes (and there are plenty) all the more credible. The photography of the inevitable car chases and 'inside shots' of the capers is terrific, with the scenes set in Venice, Italy among the best. The cast is electrically charged without that all too familiar over-the-top push. Donald Sutherland and Charlize Theron (father/daughter team) are superb, and Mark Wahlberg, Jason Statham, Seth Green, Mos Def, and Franky G establish a comraderie that is destined to overcome their betraying partner Edward Norton. With a cast like this you almost don't need a script, but the writing has a fine balance of bite and wit. For sheer explosive entertainment by a crew of winners this movie is among the best in this genre.
Rating:
Summary: GREAT CAPER! I LOVED IT! CLEVER, JOB!
Review: I ENJOYED THIS MOVIE VERY MUCH!
MARK WAS GREAT!
I LOVE MOS DEF,HE IS BECOMING A WONDERFUL ACTOR!
HE RAPS GREAT AND HE CAN ACT!
THE ITALIAN JOB WAS A WONDERFUL CLEVER MOVIE!
THEY PULLED IT OFF!
THEY DID THE DAMN THANG!
5 STARS*****
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