'The Italian Job' feels like a solid effort from the days of the studio system during the 1940s.
(There´s a separate Pan&Scan version of the film being released on DVD, too, but what´s the point of getting a copy of the movie that has at least half of its original image hidden from your eyes? Besides, given the fact that 16:9 TVs are already a legally-mandated standard, rectangular compositions are the way to go anyway.)
Audio:
The Dolby Digital 5.1 English audio track is very active and very wide. Dialogue is always clear despite the constant rumble of explosions and car engines. The audio also does a great job of carrying John Powell´s playful, witty music score. Things are always zooming back and forth across your home theatre room, but the effects sound natural and smooth rather than isolated and forced (chalk one up for great imaging). The only thing keeping the DVD from earning a "10" for its audio is the fact that, since the movie isn´t a big war epic, the mix doesn´t really challenge the all-out impact of a "Saving Private Ryan" or a "We Were Soldiers".
You can also watch the movie with a DD 2.0 surround English or a DD 5.1 French track. Optional English subtitles as well as optional English closed captions support the audio.
Extras:
Paramount is billing its DVD release of "The Italian Job" (2003) as a Special Collector´s Edition, but the extras merely skim the surface of the making of the movie. I don´t really blame the studio because the movie isn´t a "deep" project like, say, "The English Patient", but be warned that you won´t find much use for the extras after watching them once.
There are a couple of featurettes that touch upon various aspects of the film´s production. "Pedal to the Metal: The Making of ´The Italian Job´" offers a bunch of interviews with the filmmakers talking about how wonderful and creative everyone else is. "Putting the Words on the Page for ´The Italian Job´" has a few things to say about how the screenplay was inspired by 1969´s "The Italian Job". "´The Italian Job´--Driving School" shows us footage of the actors learning how to drive the new Mini Coopers in exciting ways. "The Mighty Minis of ´The Italian Job´" pays tribute to the wonderful qualities of the new Mini Coopers. "High Octane: Stunts from ´The Italian Job´" provides a couple of insights into how the automotive stunts in the film were achieved.
Finally, you get six deleted scenes (most of them having to do with the climactic car chase through L.A.´s streets) as well as the film´s theatrical trailer. (A couple of other previews can be accessed when you first load the disc into your DVD player.)
--Miscellaneous--
A glossy insert provides chapter listings.
Film Value:
Around the time of the film´s theatrical release, Mark Wahlberg said that "The Italian Job" was the best movie that he´d ever made. More than a few people chuckled at his comment because of the film´s genre ambitions as well as the fact that Wahlberg´s movies don´t usually get widespread praise (the exception being "Boogie Nights", but I think that Paul Thomas Anderson is over-rated anyway). Well, it turns out that Mr. Wahlberg was right about the movie--it´s a zippy ride that has smarts and comedic moments that don´t feel forced. You´ll have a grand time being entertained by "The Italian Job".
Audio:
The Dolby Digital 5.1 English audio track is very active and very wide. Dialogue is always clear despite the constant rumble of explosions and car engines. The audio also does a great job of carrying John Powell´s playful, witty music score. Things are always zooming back and forth across your home theatre room, but the effects sound natural and smooth rather than isolated and forced (chalk one up for great imaging). The only thing keeping the DVD from earning a "10" for its audio is the fact that, since the movie isn´t a big war epic, the mix doesn´t really challenge the all-out impact of a "Saving Private Ryan" or a "We Were Soldiers".
You can also watch the movie with a DD 2.0 surround English or a DD 5.1 French track. Optional English subtitles as well as optional English closed captions support the audio.
Extras:
Paramount is billing its DVD release of "The Italian Job" (2003) as a Special Collector´s Edition, but the extras merely skim the surface of the making of the movie. I don´t really blame the studio because the movie isn´t a "deep" project like, say, "The English Patient", but be warned that you won´t find much use for the extras after watching them once.
There are a couple of featurettes that touch upon various aspects of the film´s production. "Pedal to the Metal: The Making of ´The Italian Job´" offers a bunch of interviews with the filmmakers talking about how wonderful and creative everyone else is. "Putting the Words on the Page for ´The Italian Job´" has a few things to say about how the screenplay was inspired by 1969´s "The Italian Job". "´The Italian Job´--Driving School" shows us footage of the actors learning how to drive the new Mini Coopers in exciting ways. "The Mighty Minis of ´The Italian Job´" pays tribute to the wonderful qualities of the new Mini Coopers. "High Octane: Stunts from ´The Italian Job´" provides a couple of insights into how the automotive stunts in the film were achieved.
Finally, you get six deleted scenes (most of them having to do with the climactic car chase through L.A.´s streets) as well as the film´s theatrical trailer. (A couple of other previews can be accessed when you first load the disc into your DVD player.)
--Miscellaneous--
A glossy insert provides chapter listings.
Film Value:
Around the time of the film´s theatrical release, Mark Wahlberg said that "The Italian Job" was the best movie that he´d ever made. More than a few people chuckled at his comment because of the film´s genre ambitions as well as the fact that Wahlberg´s movies don´t usually get widespread praise (the exception being "Boogie Nights", but I think that Paul Thomas Anderson is over-rated anyway). Well, it turns out that Mr. Wahlberg was right about the movie--it´s a zippy ride that has smarts and comedic moments that don´t feel forced. You´ll have a grand time being entertained by "The Italian Job".
Average user rating (1-5):
[release]11214[/release]