As much fun as a Mini!

Rating: Null/10 (15 June 2003)

I saw this last night-what a treat! I went with an open mind, being a fan of the original. In fact, I wasn't going to see it, because I am a fan of the original. But the previews, the publicity-it all got to me.
It was good! It was more than good-it was enjoyable. Heck, if it hadn't been a discounted matinee, I would have paid full price! (Something I cannot say about some other recent films...)
Yes, it's not a LBF (Little British Film) even though there are LBCs. No, it's not the same plot-just a few things borrowed from the original and a couple of names carried over. And yes, Mark Wahlberg is not the most charismatic of actors-but, compared to Keanu Reeves-he emotes nicely.

Speaking of Reeves, the last movie I went to see was "The Matrix Reloaded" and I have see several reviews for "The Italian Job" comparing it unfairly with "Reloaded". I think they're entirely different types of movies and how can the two be compared except to say that "The Italian Job" was enjoyable and the audience reacted during it and APPLAUDED at the end, whilst "The Matrix Reloaded" had the double whammy of Mr. Reeves terrible acting and an indecipherable story. THe audience left that one looking stunned and exhausted.
So, comparisions to "The Matirx Reloaded" aside, and forgetting about the original movie, as I loved the old "Italian Job", this one stands on it's own-wonderful locales (hey, some of us really do love L.A.); car chases that actually seem to be for a reason; clever thievery; a fun cast-and a spirit that seemed to carry the (mostly over 30 year old) audience that I saw it with all the way through-I'd give this one two thumbs way up for a fun time at the movies.