Critics: Italian Job remake 'an improvement'

US critics today hailed the remake of cult British film The Italian Job as a “vast improvement” on the original.

Reviewers praised the updated version which stars Mark Wahlberg in Michael Caine’s role as the ringleader of a gang of gold thieves and moves most of the action from Turin to Los Angeles.

The New York Daily News said the Gary Gray directed film was “a slicker, faster paced, high-tech upgrade“.

It said the remake developed its own twists and turns and includes a new ending that was a “vast improvement” on the original cliff-hanger.

Hollywood trade newspaper Variety said: “Not only is this new Italian Job a generally better movie ... it moves through the paces with a light, confident grace very much its own.”

The Wall Street Journal commented: “It’s a remake that improves on the original.”

But the New York Post criticised the new film, claiming it could not match the “far superior” original. USA Today also dismissed it as a “lazy” remake.

All the reviewers praised use of the three Mini Coopers, which return from the original for a dramatic chase sequence through Los Angeles.

The Daily News said they were the main star of the show, while the Journal said they performed “flawlessly“.