Synopsis: The plan was flawless…the job was executed perfectly…the escape was clean. The only threat mastermind Charlie Croaker never saw coming, was the one from a member of his own crew. Left for dead, Croaker and the remaining members of his crew concoct a new plan to exact retribution. Get in…get out…get even. That was the plan. 

Now for the Zone's Eye View:

By Michelle Snow

Director: F. Gary Gray

Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Charlize Theron, Edward Norton, Seth Green, Jason Statham, Mos Def and Donald Sutherland

Based on the 1969 Michael Caine movie of the same name, this 2003 version is more of an updated adaptation than a straight remake. There are certain elements that are the same: stealing gold in Italy, creating a huge traffic jam for the getaway and the fabulous Mini Cooper chase scene.

But the rest of the film has been brought into the new century. Rather than have the entire film take place in Italy, only the beginning heist does. Then the film jumps forward a year to Los Angeles, where the rest of the action takes place. The amount of gold stolen has also changed from a paltry $4 million to $89 million [no doubt to account for inflation]. 

But the movie still centers on criminal mastermind Charlie Croaker [Wahlberg]. After pulling off an amazing gold buillion heist in Venice, Italy, Charlie and his gang-inside man Steve Frezelli [Norton], computer genius Lyle [Green], wheelman Handsome Rob [Statham], explosives expert Left-Ear [Def] and veteran safecracker John Bridger [Sutherland]-escape to the Alps. As they head for the Swiss border, one of the team double crosses the rest, taking all of the gold for himself and leaving the rest of the members for dead. Or so he thought.

A year later, Croaker reunites the remaining members of his team, after locating their former parter-in-crime in Los Angeles. They concoct a plan to get the gold back and get even. But to pull it off, they need to bring in one of the best safe crackers in the world-Bridger's daughter, Stella.

It's at this point that the movie really takes off. A last minute change of plans forces the entire gang to think on their feet and the plot twists are fun to follow. Norton is a little too sleazy in his portrayal, but it makes for a bigger payoff when Wahlberg punches him out. And Green absolutely steals the show whenever Lyle is in a scene. 

But it's the Mini Cooper that is the real star of the movie. Granted, the cars used were souped up for the stunts, but it's amazing what these little cars can do. It's even more impressive knowing that the stars themselves were doing the driving stunts. The chase scenes at the end are better than any commercial BMW could come up with and should result in bigger sales for the automaker.

The Italian Job is a sleek, sophisticated movie and while it does have a few plot holes, which I won't go into in the interest of not revealing spoilers, overall the movie is worth the price of admission.

8 out of 10