The Italian Job
Critics have been tearing Mark Wahlberg a new one for starring in substandard remakes during the past few years. He received top billing for Tim Burton's time-wasting Planet of the Apes, which won the 2001 Razzie for Worst Remake or Sequel. The 1968 original, starring Charlton Heston, had a more understandable plot. In 2002, maverick director Jonathan Demme (Silence of the Lambs) helmed a remake of Charade. The Truth About Charlie failed critically and commercially (and it just looks stupid). Marky Mark's third time must have been a charm, because F. Gary Gray's rendition of The Italian Job is a worthy, action-packed ride.
Wahlberg stars as Charlie Croker, a thief who masterminds a $35 million heist in Venice, Italy. His crew consists of a paroled safecracker who's doing one last job (Donald Sutherland), a hacker (Seth Green), a demolition expert (Mos Def), a stunt driver (Jason Statham), and a utility thief (Edward Norton). Every player makes a contribution to the group's success, and the heist goes without a hitch. Well, there was a problem that Charlie didn't anticipate. Norton's character, Steve, and his secret crew steal the gold after killing the safecracker and leaving everyone else for dead.
A year later, Charlie has tracked down Steve, who's living the high life. Charlie brings together the rest of his original posse to devise a plan to take back the gold that never really belonged to them. However, they need a safecracker, but the best one in the business is six feet underground. They recruit his reluctant daughter Stella, complete with her dad's skills, to exact revenge on the weasel who wronged them. The result is one of the most impressive heists and chase scenes seen on film in recent years.
While watching The Italian Job, I thought to myself, "This is like Ocean's Eleven . . . but with a story." Both films are light and humorous, keeping you on the edge of your seat with continual high-paced action sequences. However, The Italian Job's theme of revenge gives this movie more layers, compared to Danny Ocean's more-or-less simple greed.
Edward Norton supposedly made this movie solely because of contractual obligations. His performance supports this preposition. Throughout the film, Steve has an annoyed expression on his face. This is bewildering, because this film seems like a blast to make. Norton is out of his element in a movie like The Italian Job anyway. He fares better in more-serious films like Red Dragon, Primal Fear, and American History X.
It's been said that the original Italian Job's popularity is in Europe is equivalent to The Godfather's status in the United States. That's saying a LOT! I haven't seen the original yet, but it's safe to say that the updated version of The Italian Job is a worthy remake, due to an established director (F. Gary Gray, The Negotiator) at the wheel, a fresh cast, and a twisting plot.
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Charlie and his associates celebrate the completion of each heist by swigging on their own bottle of wine.
Charlize Theron is picture-perfect, but the chemistry between her and Mark Wahlberg lacks credibility.
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3) Red Dragon
4) Heist
5) Ocean's Eleven
