Now I am a nut about sexy cars and stylish action films - hence there is virtually no way that this film could not impress me. Angelina Jolie is also somewhat of a sex symbol for me and I love Cage-Brucheimer creations (by that I mean I liked The Rock). So how is it that my subjective ramblings still lead me to feel a bit let down.

Don't get me wrong, the film is exactly what it set out to be - an action film about boosting 50 cars in 1 night. Not just 50 cars but 50 of the finest pieces of machinery that man has ever created. The cars impress, the actors, most of some calibre, should also impress but somehow fail to do so. The skills of those involved (Cage, Jolie, Duvall and Vinnie Jones) do keep the film afloat, but the characters are not that great. We are supposed to believe that Cage gave up stealing cars (and everyone in his life) because his mum told him to, that the side-kick detective actually is that stupid and that the token British villain is ecentic/nuts/stupid enough to not shoot someone over a piece of wood. Hmmmmmmm.

Anyway, all that said the film is still pretty good. As said, 50 cars are to be stolen in one night and Cage as the master car thief must do this in order to save his brothers life as he originally botched the job. Thats about it. The love interest is played by Jolie as a very seductive thief, although to be fair the film does not play on it in any way. Indeed it is almost criminal how little she is used.

Robert Duvall plays the most convincing character reprising his car type films after Days of Thunder several years ago (again with Bruckheimer helming, although that time Don Simpson was on board).

Other small points that keep the film above average are the key eating dog, Evil Kenevil style jumps, a reasonable car chase and a general obsessive panache over the cars.

If you want to know why the film is called Gone in 60 seconds you may be at a loss. I was trying to work out before hand h
ow they could get the line into the film somwhere without sounding like just another forced line. They didn't. In fact the only place it turned up was on a poster in a police building - see if you can spot it. In fact this film truly promotes car crime as a glamorous act, and across America car crime rose when it was released. Its easy to see why.

The soundtrack is pretty great. The scene of the film being immediately prior to the night of heisting when the team prepare by listening to some music (I can not remember what though). This coupled with some serious high octane ear candy allows your to revel in the moment and results in adrenaline shivers that are a key element of the unemotional action genre. Tracks by Moby, Chemical Brothers, Gomex and Groove Armada are also included.

In truth, if you don't like cars then do not watch it. I hate to say it but honesty must prevale over must personal lusts and Bruckeimer has done far far better work than this. I read a review somewhere that said "The title mirrors your memory of the film - Gone in 60 Seconds" but I suppose that means car nuts can enjoy it time and time again.:)