A First Class Action Film!

Rating: Null/10 (6 September 2004)

This is clearly an action film, however, it is refreshingly different than anything before it. Without giving away the story, these characters are not children... and the film is not geared towards the teen market as so many action films are. The characters are largely the late 20s and early 30s group, they devise several unique and clever plots to steal gold from Italy and to keep it. They also drive speedy little cars.... not because they are fast, but rather because they can weave in and out of narrow spaces. A feature that is totally unique in "chase films".
The characters are also on the educated and sophisticated side.... and are clearly not "trendy". The score is interesting and does not rely too heavily on rock or rap music, but has a totally new "chill" score that lends itself to the sophistication in the tone of the film. The photography is first rate and the BIG chase scene is miraculously performed in the packed streets of Los Angeles and Hollywood with all the crowds and traffic totally intact. How they did it, is truly beyond me. A nail biter from beginning to end. This is everything "The Fast and the Furious" should have been, but was not. I place this on a par with "Gone in 60 seconds" and "Speed" for action, story and trills.