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Amazon.co.uk Review
Though it bears little resemblance to the celebrated 1969 original starring Michael Caine, this 2003 remake of The Italian Job stands on its own as a caper comedy that's well above average. The title's a misnomer--this time it's actually a Los Angeles job--but the action's just as exciting as it propels a breezy tale of honour and dishonour among competing thieves. Inheriting Caine's role as ace heist-planner Charlie Croker, Mark Wahlberg plays straight-man to a well-cast team of accomplices, including Mos Def, Jason Statham and scene-stealer Seth Green in a variation of the role originally played by Noel Coward. As the daughter of Croker's ill-fated mentor (Donald Sutherland), Charlise Theron is recruited to double-cross a double-crosser (Edward Norton in oily villain mode), and once again, speedily versatile Mini Coopers (this time, the modern BMW versions) play a pivotal role in director F Gary Gray's exhilarating car-chase climax. It's perhaps the greatest product placement in movie history, and just as fun the second time around. --Jeff Shannon
Jonathan Crocker, Total Film
"A brilliant heist"
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Lacking the style and heart that made the original such a firm favorite among film fans and also without the talents of Noel Coward - who gave such a nicely humorous touch to the classic - was this weak 2003 remake.
In truth this movie is more of a sequel than a remake. As most film fans will know the original movie concluded with the gang of bullion thieves stuck in a rather precarious situation atop one of the Italian Alps. The remake however includes the actual "Italian Job" of the title at the beginning of its movie and then weaves a tale of betrayal and payback that has one of the thieves double-crossing his partners and taking off with the gold himself.
In this respect the movie probably would have been better off not adopting the name of its illustrious predecessor. In fact, in talks with the director to promote this movie, it was revealed that Italian authorities were less than happy to hear that Hollywood planned to remake a movie - that is such a "national treasure" in the hearts of Italy - that they almost refused the team to film in Venice. Only when they were able to convince the Italians that it was a homage and that they intended no disrespect to the original that they were allowed to continue.
Fans of another remake (Ocean's Eleven) will no doubt lap this movie up. This production has another hip cast and the same slick method of storytelling. It was pleasing to see the return of the Morris Minor car as one of the holdovers from the original movie and I thought Charlize Theron was a welcome addition to the cast as the beautiful daughter of one of the original thieves. What was most disturbing though was the fact that the original Italian Job was an eclectic collection of British thieves, whereas here they are American - not sure why they made that change since the humor employed in the original was so British.
Still, as heist movies go this film is a success and a lot of fun. If you enjoyed Clooneys version of OCEAN'S ELEVEN, then chances are you will enjoy this too.
In truth this movie is more of a sequel than a remake. As most film fans will know the original movie concluded with the gang of bullion thieves stuck in a rather precarious situation atop one of the Italian Alps. The remake however includes the actual "Italian Job" of the title at the beginning of its movie and then weaves a tale of betrayal and payback that has one of the thieves double-crossing his partners and taking off with the gold himself.
In this respect the movie probably would have been better off not adopting the name of its illustrious predecessor. In fact, in talks with the director to promote this movie, it was revealed that Italian authorities were less than happy to hear that Hollywood planned to remake a movie - that is such a "national treasure" in the hearts of Italy - that they almost refused the team to film in Venice. Only when they were able to convince the Italians that it was a homage and that they intended no disrespect to the original that they were allowed to continue.
Fans of another remake (Ocean's Eleven) will no doubt lap this movie up. This production has another hip cast and the same slick method of storytelling. It was pleasing to see the return of the Morris Minor car as one of the holdovers from the original movie and I thought Charlize Theron was a welcome addition to the cast as the beautiful daughter of one of the original thieves. What was most disturbing though was the fact that the original Italian Job was an eclectic collection of British thieves, whereas here they are American - not sure why they made that change since the humor employed in the original was so British.
Still, as heist movies go this film is a success and a lot of fun. If you enjoyed Clooneys version of OCEAN'S ELEVEN, then chances are you will enjoy this too.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I love the original italian job movie and so was wondering how they would approach a modern remake. Well i have to say that this is NOT the italian job. that is to say it is not a remake of the original film, it is simply inspired by the original in as much as minis are used and it copies the idea of a great plot and lots of action. Other than that, there is no similarity. The plots of both movies are entirely different, the charactors are completely different and this movie stands on its own two feet as a great family action movie.
I would urge you to buy this at the great price ive seen it for sale at, before the shops realise what a great movie this is and put their prices up! Seriously, get some pop corn, some friends or the whole family, pull up a sofa and settle in for the ride. Action, Laughs and a great story, what more could you want?
I would urge you to buy this at the great price ive seen it for sale at, before the shops realise what a great movie this is and put their prices up! Seriously, get some pop corn, some friends or the whole family, pull up a sofa and settle in for the ride. Action, Laughs and a great story, what more could you want?
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This film is supposedly a remake of the Michael Caine film of the same name. It is not, it uses the title of the original, some of the big set pieces, the gold heist, the armoured car, the getaway and let us not forget the Mini Coopers.
It does not however have the charm of the original, Mark Wahlberg does not have the same cheeky chappy persona that Michael Caine gave his Charlie Croker, but he gives a good performance nonetheless, as do all the other actors. Donald Sutherland steals every scene he is in, which is not many unfortunately.
This is an entertaining, glossy, well scripted, well acted romp. I do not think that it is really a remake though, the entire ethos of this film is different from the original. The original was a celebration of all things English (English not British, there is a difference)Noel Coward after all was the quintessential Englishman.
Even the ending is different, in the original the thieves lost the gold and were left hanging over a precipice, and all the gold was scattered down a mountain, never did crime pay less. In this new and revised version they do, eventually, get away with it, should crime pay just because we like the criminals?
That all said, this is worth watching, there is very little violence and no bad language, which makes a refreshing change, watch and enjoy, just do not expect a modern updating of the original, you will not find it here.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Nice action movie
The Italian Job is an entertaining action movie with great actors like Donald Sutherland and Mark Wahlberg. If you want to have a nice movie night, you have to see this movie. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Kazin S.
Almost put me to sleep
I found myself fighting hard against falling asleep during the movie. There's no way I'd be able to watch this again without falling asleep or being extremely bored, unlike some... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Petri
BEST EVER !
If you like action and well thought out plot,this is a very good film!
This is a better take on the old film and a better ending to it! Read more
This is a better take on the old film and a better ending to it! Read more
Published 10 months ago by QUALITY FOR PEOPLE
the italian job a fans point of view.
I have just purchased this remake on (Blu/ray) after buying the origonal on (Blu/ray),which of course is one of my top films of all time ,a watch over and over film ,I was... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Barry
More an homage than a remake and for that reason, not bad at all
Sacrilege! Infidels! How dare they desecrate one of the greats of British cinema!
That pretty much sums up my reactions when I heard about the Italian Job (2003). Read more
That pretty much sums up my reactions when I heard about the Italian Job (2003). Read more
Published 17 months ago by Mr. A. E. Hall
The Italian foul-up
This is one of the worst "re-makes" I've ever had the misfortune to watch. The transfer of the locale from the original to a different setting was a bad decision and an even worse... Read more
Published 23 months ago by BM Edwards
High octane favourite on High-Definition
Italian Job revolves around a group of theives who excecute the perfect, most flawless plan - Excecution so perfect headed by Charlie Croker (Mark Wahlberg). Read more
Published on 5 May 2010 by Winchester
Not worth watching just for the Donald Sutherland cameo
In fact not worth watching at all. Maybe I wouldn't have hated it quite as much if they hadn't called it "The Italian Job", because it is an eviscerated version of the original -... Read more
Published on 2 Feb 2010 by VCBF (Val)
Really really great film
Had to have this together with original, how different but how perfect they both are
Published on 18 July 2009 by Bea
Italian Style
A lot of films are described (or describe themselves) as slick, stylish and cool, but this one is the blueprint. Read more
Published on 20 May 2009 by Tony Baker
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