(Image taken and edited from TheMovieDB.org)
[SPOILERS AHEAD]
On the whole, The Italian Job feels like a comedic cross between a James Bond film and Ocean's Eleven, and on that premise, it does a decent enough job. Much of the film is buildup to the final escape sequence, and much like its inspirations, the details of the heist are only fully revealed as the plot rolls on. And although it doesn't quite do it as neatly and elaborately as Ocean's Eleven, it still executes it well enough. But that praise is for when it comes to the heist plan aspect of the plot. On the other hand, the pacing is drearily slow at times and much of it is spent developing largely unnecessary plot details like Croker's (Michael Caine) role as a womanizer, when it could have been spent establishing more plot details in clearer detail or giving more of the side characters personality. Not to mention the cinematography, which does its job well enough, but doesn't stand out for anything in particular. Some of the performances aren't exactly stellar either. For example, Maggie Blye, Michael Caine's girlfriend in the film, comes across as especially unconvincingly at times. Although, Arthur (Michael Standing), ironically enough, stands out as he's one of the few side characters who DOES have a more developed identity beyond their literal role in the heist.
It might seem like I'm being a bit harsh on this film, but I still enjoyed it for what it was. The effects, stunts and pyrotechnics are nice. They're practical and still hold up well - although it seems the director enjoyed throwing cars off cliffs, as it's quite the common occurrence (no less than five cars are sent over the edge in some way or another). The escape sequence, the centerpiece of the film, is the best part about it and it's filled with clever moments and tricks to fool, outwit and outdrive the police that are trailing our heroes. And while the police are doing their job, The Italian Mafia, the de facto villains of the picture, are cartoonish, lining the cliffs in preparation for Caine and Co, before disappearing instantly like some kind of Italian ninja sect. It's silly, but it feels intentional, especially considering the tongue-in-cheek, literal cliffhanger ending and the film's general attitude of not taking anything that's happening on screen too seriously.
Overall: 6/10 or 7/10 (somewhere around there) - Silly, slow and dull at times, but still a fun slice of 60s crime caper escapism.
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