Though it bears little resemblance to the original 1969 thriller starring Michael Caine, the 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 honor and dishonor 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), Charlize Theron is recruited to double-cross a double-crosser (Edward Norton in oily villain mode), and once again, speedily versatile Mini Coopers 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 Customer Review: A F.I.N.E. Movie The Italian job was fun to watch. It was a good double-cross/revenge story that kept me thoroughly entertained all the way through. Kudos to Director F. Gary Gray for making such a good feature film when his directorial resume mostly consists of rapper videos. Gray’s other most recent notable feature films were 2005’s flop sequel to the classic Get Shorty (1995) and 2003’s A Man Apart (which I have not seen). Storywise, The Italian job really worked well. It had a good flow that kept you interested. There were way too many of the typical over the top Hollywood action film sequences that are just plain old unbelievable: cars driving down busy sidewalks at high speed; driving through a busy subway; people surviving sure-death situations; absolutely zero police response to what would realistically summon a cavalry of cops…these kinds of surreal action take a bit away from the movie. The cast is pretty good, and the acting is very good. The story is familiar enough as it is popular throughout the history of film: A heist is made by a group of thieves/one of the crooks goes rogue/the group seeks revenge. So if the genre is up your alley, then by all means The Italian job should work for an evening of entertainment. And if you like it, you’re in luck….A sequel has been announced for 2008 called The Brazilian job with (mostly) the same cast and director (the most important aspects in a recipe for a successful sequel). Let’s hope in the sequel that Gray keeps a better handle on reality. I’m sure that it’ll be F.I.N.E.

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