Italian Job, The MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +2 Content: -1 1/2

The Italian Job is an action, crime, drama remake by Paramount Pictures of a 1969 movie by the same name in which a band of thieves (each with their own special talents) pull a remarkable robbery in Venice, Italy by blowing a hole under a safe allowing it to drop into their possession. While making their escape, one of the members, Steve Frezelli (Edward Norton), turns on the others, steals the money and leaves his team for dead. In actuality only one member of the team is killed, John Bridger (Donald Sutherland), and the rest of the gang plans revenge on Steve by plotting to steal the money back using the same technique as they used in Italy - only this time the money is in an armored truck.

Full of car chases, boat chases and some humor, this movie lacks one important thing: a hero. Its no longer cops and robbers its just robbers. The only person in the story that seems half way decent is the daughter of one the thieves. After her father is killed, she is corrupted by the others and joins them in their plot for revenge. In this crime drama, there are no consequences for bad behavior nor do the thieves even come close to being apprehended by the police. The only people to be concerned about are the objectionable characters. Robbery is portrayed as a legitimate way of making a living; revenge is acceptable if you have been wronged; taking the law into your own hands is fine; and in the middle of all the sordid details you find yourself cheering for the bad guys. Because of the poor moral message and offensive language throughout the movie, Preview cannot recommend The Italian Job.

Preview Reviewer: Alan Boyer
Distributor: Paramount Pictures