An Old Joke ? A Rat Race ? Well, It's The American Job !

Rating: 6/10 (21 September 2007)

Once upon time, there was a nice crazy movie named (The Italian Job - 1969), and it was just pure fun. As the years passed by, it became a classic, to the extent that some of its simple lines turned into the most memorable ones in the history of cinema! So why after 34 years, Hollywood would remake it?
Ok, consider it as one of the usual events in the 2000s, when Hollywood declared bankruptcy, or just about to, with very few original screenplays for the commercial movies. So you would have all the time: A remake of an old movie, part 2 and 3.. etc. of that remake of that old movie, sequels for another movie which have nothing to do with it except for the utilization of its popularity, and some movies that are based on previous comics, video games, TV series, American movies, or French, British or Japanese movies.. and so on and on and on. It seemed that the producers began to see "new ideas" as the devil, so they aimed at secure formulas from old sources!
With its joyful atmosphere, new third act, and unfinished ending, the original British movie was an explosive cinematic joke. And when you repeat an old joke, what you'll have is unfunny one. So maybe this Italian Job's makers realized that early; therefore, made totally another thing. But was that thing excellent as a whole? I don't think so!
For one reason, the pale cast, or perhaps they're good stars who were so pale in here! (Mark Wahlberg) as (Charlie Croker)?! Com'on! His face had no features to act. And who played that character before?! The honorable Mr. (Michael Caine)! Poor (Wahlberg) was in a real deadlock, especially with his icy performance as the cool (Croker) who was here cool as inanimate or lifeless! (Edward Norton) said once that he hated the part, and just made the movie to terminate his contract with the production company. You can watch him here on the brink of mocking at the traditional role and dialogue. One of these times is so obvious at the restaurant scene. And, for the love of God, aren't both of them, (Wahlberg) and (Norton), so terribly young to be those expert thieves?! Also, I felt pity for (Charlize Theron). What a fake performance she gave!
So nearly that entire cast was deadly cold, and by all means director (F. Gary Gray) was the responsible. However, as always, the producers thought that the good action would save the day, forgetting that it wouldn't save EVERY DAY. As if watching (Theron) doing her driving without stunt would compensate for her insipid acting!
There is no deep connection with the original; I should say the inspiration instead, except for the plan of stealing gold by breakdown the traffic, and escaping in mini cars. But while the script has a new ball game, with Five Samurai in heist / revenge against an evil guy, the conflict is flat. You know so well that this intolerant, less intelligent, evil guy will be vanquished easily by this confident and creative team, which cracks the movie's foundation, and weakens everything; even the general amusing feel after the viewing. Because one of the "writing" secrets is in the antagonist's characterization. Feeding him with more power and smartness makes the conflict more hot and attractive. But this script just didn't care about any of that!
Nevertheless, it has some fine fun. (Seth Green) was great, stealing the show from the rest. And technically, it's dexterous; all the action is expensively done, and masterly directed, as the only perfect thing in here. But when it comes to the climax, I found myself saying: "OK, I've seen that before, and it had a spirit too!".
Well, it's an old joke trying to be a new one by adding some slight fresh things; like a different plot, or technical updating, but totally without (The Italian Job - 1969)'s surprise effect, or pristine craziness, which made it more naughty, clever and original. This time, while being fairly entertaining, it's merely another project done with no desire to be extraordinary. I though they shouldn't connect it to the 1969 movie in the first place, that wasn't for the sake of anything but fooling us, and degrading them!
It's like the situation between (It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World - 1963) and (Rat Race - 2001), 2 years earlier. Which reminds me; when we'll witness the end of this wearisome rat race of remakes as the biggest, and feeblest, American jobs ever?!