8 out of 10
 

The Italian Job, starring Mark Wahlberg, Edward Norton, Charlize Theron, Seth Green, and Jason Statham, is a remake of a much older film of the same title, which was set in Rome, durring the World Cup. Needless to say, there have been changes made. After a daring heist in Venice, Italy, a group of thieves find themselves betrayed by a trusted team member, Steve. A year later, as the others finally catch up with Steve in L.A., their plans are no longer about the gold that was stollen from them, but about revenge.

And so it begins- their first plan involves driving minis into the mansion Steve has bought with some of the stollen money, since they need a way to get the gold out quickly. But when Steve learns that they have found him and decides to run, the real fun begins. The plan they come up with to foil his escape is not only beautifully intricate but delightfully inventive and unexpected. In spite of seeing all their preparations, you find yourself wondering just what it is they are going to do exactly, and whether they will even be able to pull it off. Not to give away too much, but it involves taking over control of the city's traffic lights, and some remarkably well-placed explosives- I'm not entirly sure it would work in the real world, but it is certainly fun to watch. Plenty of action, requisite explosions and a good car chase, as well as logical, interesting plot- one of the better movies I've seen lately..