Movie Review by Nigel A. Messenger
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Charlize Theron, Edward Norton, Seth Green, Jason Statham, Mos Def
Director: F Gary Gray
One of the things I really like is a good heist movie and THE ITALIAN JOB is at the top of its genre. Right from the start director F Gary Gray hits the mark with an explosive opening robbery that takes place in the watery city of Venice followed by a double-cross with drastic consequences. The film then introduces the purpose for the next heist – revenge – and sets the scene for some careful planning and preparation, establishing the individual characters backgrounds and personalities whilst all the time building up to the final heist and the film’s action-packed climax.
Just to keep things interesting plans go wrong and there’s plenty of entertaining humour thrown in plus the final car chase which easily rivals the 1969 film of the same name’s excitement although not its originality as once you’ve seen minis driving through small narrow spaces – well you get the idea – but other than that this new version of THE ITALIAN JOB should really just be thought of as paying tribute to the original because it’s not a remake or a reworking in any way other than the fact that the use of minis is essential to the final heist and a small piece of the movie takes place in Italy, although not the same city as Michael Caine’s version.
However this is no criticism. The direction is spot on and every cast member is oozing with their individual personalities.
I would go as far as saying that this is probably Mark Wahlberg’s best film to date and firmly establishes him as the charismatic leading man. The gorgeous Charlize Theron again proves she is one of Hollywood’s top female stars and Ed Norton almost takes up the double-crossing part he had in THE SCORE from where he left off but does it so well. English actor Jason Statham is really getting to grips with the Hollywood action picture role and comes across as a very likeable on screen personality perfectly cast in his part, as is BUFFY and AUSTIN POWERS actor Seth Green as the tech wizard Lyle and Mos Def as Left Ear the half-deaf explosives expert plus Donald Sutherland of course who always seems to turn in a first class performance.
I really hope THE ITALIAN JOB does well because if it does who knows may be we might get a chance to see this team together again in a sequel?
A first class movie and a great piece of entertainment.
