The Italian Job

Mark Wahlberg leads an impressive cast as strategic criminal mastermind Charlie Croker, the role which made Michael Caine into a household name in the original film of the same name - The Italian Job.

The action kicks off in spectacular style on the waterways of Venice, where John Bridger (Sutherland) has led a band of thieves in a gold bullion heist.  Joining Croaker is his second-in-command Steve (Norton), getaway driver, Handsome Rob (Statham), Computer-whizz Lyle (Green) and explosives expert Left Ear (Def).

The job involves an impressive and truly ingenious way of stealing $35million in gold bars from a safe in a Venetian palazzo, and all runs smoothly until inside-man Steve gets greedy and murders Bridger, leaving the rest of the crew for dead beneath a lake.

The team manage to return to LA, and enlist the help of Bridger's daughter, safecracking specialist Stella (Theron) to help take back the gold and exact revenge on Steve.

Many were claiming sacrilege when Hollywood announced it dared to make a film based on, and named after, one of the most iconic British movies of all time.  That the film is based on the 1969 original and not a direct remake works in its favour - enabling the addition of some welcome elements to the storyline such as Stella's revenge.

Having already starred in Planet of the Apes and The Truth About Charlie, Wahlberg is starting to make a name for himself in re-made films.  But to his credit, he doesn't attempt to mimic Michael Caine, but instead uses his style and rugged looks to establish an on-screen presence.  Theron adds a touch of glamour to the proceedings that now seems so obviously missing from the original, adding energy to her scenes with Wahlberg.

If you're looking for a fun heist caper, you can't go far wrong than this 'mini adventure'!