A Slick Re-make, Fun, Great for Techno Buffs

Rating: 8/10 (31 May 2003)

The original of "The Italian Job" was good. Director F. Gary Gray's re-make is better, a real winner.
Don't look for depth in this caper flick. The story has been done a number of times before but not often with such crisp acting, great stunts and the infusion of up-to-date cyber-technology gone amuck (or gone in the service of crooks).
John Bridger (Donald Sutherland) is the substitute dad for a young fellow safecracker, Charlie (Mark Wahlberg). Dispensing sharp advice on pulling off a huge gold bar heist in Venice, he also counsels his protege on the true meaning of life. Steal, he exhorts the worshipful younger thief, not just for wealth but to be able to savor a rich (no pun intended) life.
Bridger has been a largely absent dad (because of long tenure in correctional facilities) to his locksmith daughter, Stella (Charlize Theron). Before embarking on the big Venice job he calls her to say a present is on the way. She's worried that's he's skipped out on his parole officer but is remarkably sanguine about his resumption of career opportunities. They seem to have a great relationship - no mention is ever made of mom.
It's no spoiler to report that the larceny is successful but runs into a problem when confederate Steve (Edward Norton) and his thugs decide splitting the $37M loot isn't the way to go. So they kill poor John and think they've also wiped out Charlie and his oddball associates, an explosives expert, a computer nerd and a master of the wheel. Well, we know they haven't and the movie follows their complex scheme for revenge. Steve's the target and, of course, an eager and alternately vulnerable and steely Stella is the key to the program.
From high speed chases along Venice's canals to near mayhem on L.A.'s freeways, the action comes fast. Lile the Geek (Seth Green) runs through techie madcap tweakingethat my kid thought not impossible. Edward Norton is deliciously evil - a role that requires little depth becomes entertaining to watch.
Fans of road action will see the hottest cars since "Q" outfitted James Bond go through wild maneuvers.
Charlize Theron is appealing as a quick-witted, super-skillful locksmith temporarily putting aside her successful and legitimate career to use her talents to avenge dad's murder.
The outcome: c'mon, what director or screenwriter could leave Stella's broken heart unmended?
John Powell's score works very well.
8/10.