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Paramount has assembled an impressive cast for this updated version of The Italian Job, but it does pale at least in colorfulness compared to the 1969 film that it remakes. That film provided some interesting branches for the Six Degrees of Michael Caine game by matching him with Noel Coward and Benny Hill. The remake will also have some explaining to do as regards the title, which it didn't bother to change from the original. On the surface, it makes even less sense when the action is transferred from Turin to Los Angeles.

The basic plot still remains, though. A gang of robbers create the largest traffic jam in Los Angeles history to provide cover for the theft of gold bullion. It seems they will use Mini Coopers (talk about your product placement) to dodge the traffic jam for the getaway as those cars are small enough to drive on the sidewalk.

With a cast that oozes charisma and a solid director (Gray got his start with the first Friday movie and has since made Set it Off, The Negotiator, and most recently the Vin Diesel vehicle, A Man Apart) The Italian Job seems like it should be perfect summer action movie escapism. The car chases should be fun, and it seems like the film is positioned to be this summer's version of The Bourne Identity. (Dan Krovich/BOP)

Vital statistics for The Italian Job Main Cast Mark Wahlberg, Edward Norton, Charlize Theron Supporting Cast Seth Green, Jason Statham, Donald Sutherland, Mos Def Director F. Gary Gray Screenwriter Donna Powers, Wayne Powers Distributor Paramount Pictures Rating PG-13 Running Time 111 minutes Screen Count 2,633 Talent in red has entry in The Big Picture

Comparison films for The Italian Job
Title	Date	Opening	Adjusted Opening	Screens	PSA	Adj PSA	Total BO	Adjusted Total	Mult
Fast and the Furious, The	6/22/01	40.09	42.78	2628	15255.00	15660.0	144.51	154.23	3.60
Ocean's 11	12/7/01	38.11	40.67	3075	12393.00	12722.0	183.41	195.75	4.76
Score, The	7/13/01	19.02	20.30	2129	8933.00	9170.2	71.07	75.85	3.74
Heist	11/9/01	8.01	8.54	1891	4236.00	4348.5	23.48	25.06	2.93
Truth About Charlie, The	10/25/02	2.27	2.36	753	3015.00	3015.0	5.29	5.50	2.33