"Ocean's Eleven" on wheels...

Rating: 7/10 (2 August 2003)

..."The Italian Job" stars Mark Wahlberg and Charlize Theron as Charlie and Stella, a pair of thieves trying to get back at Stella's father's killer (Edward Norton) by stealing his gold. Helping them are Lyle "The Napster" (Seth Green), "Handsome Rob" (Jason Statham) and "Left Ear" (Mos Def).
You can be sure that the producers remade this film after "Ocean's Eleven"'s success, but unfortunately, "The Italian Job" lacks the style of the 2001 remake. Sure, the writers give their characters 'cool' nicknames that are explained in brief flashback sequences. Lyle claims he invented Napster, but it was stolen from him. Left Ear lost the hearing in his right ear because he set off too many explosions as a child. Handsome Rob is, well, handsome. Unfortunately the nicknames just don't cut it. Everything from the wardrobe to the background music in "Ocean's Eleven" was cool, but "The Italian Job" tried too hard.
Still, it managed to be a very fun and funny movie. The wisecracks from Left Ear and Handsome Rob are hilarious at times, and every word that comes out of Seth Green's mouth is amusing (as always). The action is good too, involving tiny cars known as Mini Coopers racing through streets and subways.
The acting is probably the low point, but nothing as bad as "Gigli" or "From Justin to Kelly". The best performances probably come from the three side characters played by Green, Statham and Def. Unfortunately, Edward Norton's character is both annoying and boring, something you wouldn't expect from such a great actor.
All in all, "The Italian Job" was an exceptionally fun movie, but nothing more, 7.5/10.