 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Italian Job
- Review Date: October 19, 2003
- PG-13
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- 2003
Common Sense Media says
Exciting heist film for teens and their families.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this movie has a lot of tense scenes. Characters are shot and killed, and there are implications of other painful murders. Characters punch someone as a way to satisfy feelings of betrayal and revenge. The main characters are all thieves, charming or not, and while they show loyalty and are committed to crime without violence, they are hardly role models. There is some strong language and characters drink alcohol.
What's the story?
THE ITALIAN JOB begins with the theft of $35 million in gold bars. Then, a second theft occurs as one of the team double-crosses the others and, thinking he has killed them all, takes the gold for himself. Now, the rest of the team tries to get the gold back. The team is led by Charlie (Mark Wahlberg), and includes genius tech whiz Lyle (Seth Green), genius demolition whiz Left Ear (Mos Def), genius getaway driver Handsome Rob (Jason Statham), genius safecracker Stella (Charlize Theron), the daughter of Charlie's great mentor -- and genius safecracker John (Donald Sutherland). They want to get the gold back from colleague-turned-enemy Steve (Edward Norton), who killed John. Stella just wants revenge. And if a little romance enters into the picture, no one should be too surprised.
Is it any good?
Charlie keeps telling Steve that he has no imagination, an unfortunate reminder that the movie, a remake of a Michael Caine caper film doesn't have much, either. But it has enough panache and charm to make it an enjoyable genre film. Def, Green, Statham, and Sutherland deliver their usual top-notch performances, even when the script gets formulaic. Norton, who reportedly was not happy about being contractually obligated to do the film, at least acts as if he was not happy about being contractually obligated to do the film.
The film's biggest waste of time is a running Napster joke that is two years out of date and tired the first time it is used, excruciating by the 10th. Apparently, they were stuck with it because of the appearance in the film of real-life Napster creator Shawn Fanning in the film, a joke maybe one percent of the audience will get and one tenth of one percent will care about.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about why we are able to identify with characters in a movie that in real life we probably would not want to cheer for. Why are these people theives? Will they stop?
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AGE
Great movie, but there's one big problem.
This was a really fun movie and I've enjoyed watching it several times now. The thing I think parents need to be careful about is the way the movie portrays crime. In the beginning you've got thieves stealing most of whom all of the sudden become the victims of the "bad" thief. As the saying goes...there is no honor amoung thieves. On top of that the casting is very good, so it's easy to love the good "bad guys" in this movie. There are a lot of movies that do this, just make sure you have a conversation with your children about what really happens to criminals the majority of the time. Oh, one other thing is that there is a part toward the end where one of the characters makes a reference to being filled with the Holy Spirit. Funny part, but makes light of sacred things.
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AGE
Good Action
This is probably one of the best not R-rated action movies you will find. I've seen it several times, and it's very cool.
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AGE
Edge-of-your-seat action!
This is an exciting movie clean enough for anyone 12+. There's some iffy content for anyone younger. The main characters steal for a living, so the good guys are bad guys, and the bad guys are REALLY bad guys. The movie never slows down, I enjoyed it alot. But it may be akward telling your kids that the good guys are the ones they see stealing.
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AGE
A solid heist pic
Good film. Here's the lowdown
Sex: A seemingly post sex (morning after) seen, no nudity, guy walks off before girl wakes up. A character replaces a conversation he can't hear with possible words to himself, involving taking virginity.
Violence: One gruesome seen with a body floating in water. Guns, a character is sent to his fate, which probably involves being crushed by a garbage compounder
Social Behavior: The characters or robbers, but it's implied that they only steal from crooks.
Language: 1 f-k some less severe words, 3 flip offs.
Drugs/alchochol: Cigarrettes and beer, but no one gets drunk. Seriously, what kid hasn't seen that.
All in All 11+
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AGE
iffy for 12 and under
amazing move one of my favs the lingo is not to bad there is 1 fu#@ it is implied that a man will get crushed by machines that tear down buildings but you dont actually see it.
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AGE
Stealing and Revenge- is pretty much what this is about
Ok, this movie is not the best example for kids. Seeings how it is all about stealing money and revenge. But along the way there is some really good parts. Besides the car chases are amazing seeings how they used austin minies!(Best car in the world) Anywho, wouldn't miss out. But I would say don't let kids under the age of twelve, watch it unless they are mature.
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AGE
very good 11 and up
very good its almost like oceans eleven lots of action and the movie is funny too 11 and up some people consider this movie a classic
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AGE
Finally an action movie without the sex and non-stop swearing
We enjoyed this movie. As Christians, we have a hard time finding movies that we approve of for ourselves let alone would let our kids watch.
Other than a bit of swearing, which could have been left out, the movie focused on just being a fun, action-packed, intelligent film. It was full of cool chase scenes and was a lot of fun. It was fast-paced and never boring. The story line was original and well-written.
We let our 9 year old watch this movie and there were no spots where we didn't think he should cover his eyes or ears. A bit of swearing like I said but it was still a refreshing experience to go to a movie and not have a list of offences afterwards.
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AGE
Questionable Message
This was a very exciting movie no doubt... packed with action, cool cars, and great computers. However, it contained plenty of questionable elements. It placed a very high vaulue on money, money, money. It excused stealing and lying. Also language and violence marred the film. Would not reccomend it to an adult or child.
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| Topics: | cars and trucks |
| Studio: | Paramount Pictures |
| Director: | F. Gary Gray |
| Cast: | Charlize Theron, Edward Norton, Mark Wahlberg |
| Genre: | Action/Adventure |
| Run time: | 104 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | May 30, 2003 |
| DVD release date: | October 7, 2003 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | violence and some language |
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