The Italian Job

[George Bellefontaine]

This film starts with a gold heist in Venice, is followed by a double cross in the Alps (?) I think, and ends with revenge on and below the streets of Los Angeles. It stars Mark Wahlberg, Charlize Theron, Edward Norton and that guy from The Transporter who looks like Bruce Willis.

The original release of this film starred Michael Caine and it is also available along with the remake. I understand the stories are different, so I'm guessing that maybe the original may be the better of the two. I plan to rent it to find out. But the remake is okay. I just didn't find it as compelling as I thought I would and am glad I only rented it. Now there is something that makes the whole thing worthwhile, and that's during the act of revenge where a bunch of MINI COOPERS play a huge role in the story. The sight of those little babies roaring around the streets of LA is a sight to behold.

A pleasant evening's entertainment. But not a keeper for me. :3:




My Homepage!

[justin]

The guys name is jason statham from the transporter. George your right he kinda looks like brue w. I'll have to watch both of the two movies. I might put the remake or original on the buy list after the rentals.




Jus

Taking it one day at a time. Life moves quick.

[Chris D]

I'll be renting this movie to check it out before I consider a purchase. I've got to see the Mini chases if nothing else.




CHRIS
Luke: "Hey, I'm not such a bad pilot myself, you know"

[Chris D]

I'm typing this one from the bedroom as we're finishing up this movie. (dang, I'm glad I installed that home network in the walls!) Just rented it from Blockbuster.

I really liked this movie! The 1st two thirds of the movie I thought it was fairly average, being a plot used several times before of a heist gone wrong, and arranging a new heist. Had some original ideas in the details of the heists.

But the ending was great. The final heist, with the MINI Coopers (note: they are technically MINI's, the new model which was bought and redesigned by the BMW Group which have been differentiated from the original Mini's) is very well orchestrated. A fantastic chase scene with the MINI's, which pull some very impressive moves.

This was a great rental. But I don't think it's quite good enough for me to go out and buy it. Makes me wonder how the original movie was. :35:




CHRIS
Luke: "Hey, I'm not such a bad pilot myself, you know"

[justin]

Chris you sparked the curiosity bug on the second movie for me now. Maybe late saturday or sunday I can rent it. I'll have to watch it for the mini car scenes.




Jus

Taking it one day at a time. Life moves quick.

[Chris D]

Heheheeee, Justin... I think we do a good job here piquing (good word, huh?) each others' interests in music and movie.

Oh, and speaking of, did I mention the nice amplifier system (can't remember which specific one offhand) and the Martin Logan speakers that can rip off a woman's clothing?

It's funny... when each of the guys are talking about what they are going to buy with their share of the money going into spec details, I knew EXACTLY what each of them were talking about. I mentioned to my wife that it very occasionally pays to be a techie freak about home theater, fast cars, and other geek hobbies of mine.




CHRIS
Luke: "Hey, I'm not such a bad pilot myself, you know"

[David Meek]

One of the cool things about this movie is that Charlize Theron did most of her own driving.
:driver:




David - HTGuide flunky
Our "Theater"
Our DVDs on DVD Tracker

[Andrew Pratt]

I finally got to watch this last night and I loved it :T So much so I might have to buy it when it shows up on the used rack at blockbuster.

David I know what you mean about knowing what they were talking about

Did anyone else catch the spiderman cameo?

[Trevor Schell]

We watched this last night and really enjoyed it!! :T

I will be adding it to my collection!
It was excellent in everyway.
It had my full attention from start to finish.




Trevor
My HomeTheater S.E.
Sonically Enhanced
C5

[Dean McManis]

I rented The Italian Job and watched it yesterday and I really enjoyed the movie. They chose a good cast, and there was actually good character development for an action film, plus it was just fun to watch visually.
I will probably eventially buy this DVD later on.

-Dean.

[Gordon Moore]

Did anyone else catch the spiderman cameo?

Yeah, I didn't get that one bit....it came off a little wierd?!?

Got around to seeing this on the weekend and while it's an entertaining way to spend an evening, I wouldn't consider it a keeper (but that's just me). The same old same old doublecross...but in a very fun way. I saw the theatrical trailer before I ever got around to seeing this and I can't believe they summed up the movie in the trailer 8O . That would have pissed me right off, if I spent my 8 bucks at the movies only to find there was little else to flesh out the story (summed up in a stinking trailer). The minis do look cool in this.

I kinda liked the Ocean's Eleven remake better if we were comparing remakes....but I wouldn't stick either of them on the shelf.

:35: / :5:




"A RONSTER!"

[John Holmes]

I enjoyed the film. Nice job casting for this film. And though the story has been done to death, it was a fresh way to present it. If it is a good price used I'll pick it up.




"I came here, to chew bubble gum and kickass. And I'm all out of bubble gum!!!" My DVD's

[Lex]

At the intro price of 16 bucks, it was a no brainer. I thought the movie was great fun, and you know, I don't have to have Ben Hur epic proportions for all my flicks. Sometimes, just having some fun is good enough. The mini scene and the final "chase" was enough to make this worth owning and I agree with Dean on the character developments.

Lex

[aud19]

Girlfriend ordered this on PPV (in 4:3, Damn you Viewer's Choice! :a>'> :wtf: This viewer wants to choose widescreen! Or at the very least tell me ahead of time if it's 4:3 or widescreen :!: ) Decent movie even if not, as pointed out, the most original storyline. Good/clever stunts, good casting and Charlize Theron is never bad to look at :boobies: :hump:

I got dibs on the blue Mini! :yeah: :driving:

Jason




Need a new display? Questions about new display technologies? Visit RPTVs, plasmas, and other monitors @ HTguide

[Dr C]

Finally got around to watching this and have to agree that the chase scenes etc were good UNLESS ... you saw the original. Having seen the original many many years ago - with Michael Caine as the lead actor - I must say that this sequel pales in comparison.

1. The fleshing out of the characters in the original was much better (caine as well as the mob boss in prison in particular)

2. The chase scenes (in Rome I believe) with Minis and Alfas were more exciting and longer (no boat chases for example)

3. The traffic in Italy (with its meandering streets) gave a better background/backdrop to the chase.

4. The plot twist was better (will not reveal it here)

While this remake wasn't too bad, let me URGE you to see the original.

[George Bellefontaine]

I made it a point to see the original after watching the remake, Colin, and I would have to agree with your assessment of the original. Damn good film.




My Homepage!

[David Meek]

Popped this one in Sunday afternoon (the remake) and had a really good time with it. The most startling thing about this DVD was the constant and effective use of the surround channels, and the overall high quality soundtrack. I hadn't remembered this from my first viewing of it.

I agree, this isn't Citizen Kane nor will it ever be confused with it. : But it's still a lot of fun and still easy to watch.

P.S. Okay Jason, I'll take the red Mini. I wonder if Charlize comes with it?

[Shane Martin]

I saw thsi at the theater and liked it a bunch. I"m a sucker for a caper flick. The movie is pretty average though. But I will agree, the remake pales in comparison to the original. No need to compare it to Citizen Kane but when compared to the original, your level of appreciation for this movie goes down several notches.

That said, It was worth the $7 I paid for it. Any more and I wouldn't have bought it.

[Nick M]

Rented It

I should start by saying that I've never seen the original.
I definetly enjoyed this movie. It was like Ocean's Eleven kicked up a notch.

The soundtrack and surround use was definetly incredible. A+ on the audio. I thought it was casted well, and the acting was good for this type of movie. The scene where they "negotiate" for the cable van had me rolling. The boat scenes were fantastic. Car scenes don't even come close to Ronin (my reference car chase film), but they were well executed.

I plan to buy it. :T

:35: out of :5: