The Italian Job (2003/HD-DVD)

 

Picture: B+     Sound: A-     Extras: C+     Film: C+

 

 

The Italian Job remake from 2003 is far from my favorite retread, but here it is on HD-DVD as a sequel approaches.  The original 1969 version did not have a sequel, but the one thing the remake has that held up was its sound design.  To get to that, you can read the review for both versions of the standard DVD editions at:

 

http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/422/Italian+Job+(1969+&+2003)

 

 

With that already said, what improvements can you expect from this HD-DVD?  For one thing, even the 1080p 2.35 X 1 digital High Definition image can only do so much for the modern, limited color and Super 35mm cinematography.  With that said, this is rich, fuller and just more refined enough to rate higher than the surprisingly good standard DVD.  That is thanks again to cinematographer Wally Pfister, A.S.C., for bringing a subtly underlying gloss to the usual action happenings.  The sound on the standard DVD was plain old standard Dolby Digital 5.1 and one of the best Dolby 5.1 tracks we had heard.  We had hoped for DTS 5.1 and get that along with Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 and they are also fuller and more well-rounded.

 

That DTS HD and Dolby True HD are not here points to the fact that even the producers and studio knew that soundtrack would hit some kind of wall if pushed too far.  Paramount could have even used DTS 96/24, but both soundtracks have their qualities and are both worth examining at length when the better sonic scenes kick in.

 

The same extras are here as in the standard DVD, but in a neat little move on Paramount’s part, the trailer is an HD version.  Too bad they did not include one for the 1969 version as well.  The Brazilian Job reunites the cast and director for a scheduled release later in 2006.  One thing is for certain.  It cannot possibly be worse than Ocean’s Twelve!

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo