The Italian Job (12, Paramount Home Entertainment, to buy DVD £19.99/2-disc box set with original Italian Job £26.99/VHS £14.99): Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Charlize Theron, Edward Norton, Seth Green, Jason Statham, Mos Def, Donald Sutherland.

F Gary Gray's souped-up knock-off of the classic Michael Caine caper is effortlessly entertaining, contriving a satisfyingly complex plot on which to hang two thrilling heists and an edge-of-seat car chase around the streets and sewers of Los Angeles involving the three Minis (still red, white and blue), motorcycles and a helicopter.

Wahlberg plays Charlie Croker, a mastermind thief who leads his team - inside man Steve (Norton), getaway driver Handsome Rob (Statham), explosives expert Left-Ear (Def), veteran safecracker John Bridger (Sutherland) and techno-geek Lyle (Green) - in the daring theft of gold bullion from a palazzo in Venice.

DVD Extras: Pedal To The Metal: The Making Of The Italian Job featurette, Putting The Words On The Page For The Italian Job featurette, The Italian Job Driving School, The Mighty Minis Of The Italian Job, High Octane - The Stunts Of The Italian Job featurette, six deleted scenes, Easter Egg gag reel, theatrical trailer.

Once Upon A Time In Mexico (15, Buena Vista Home Entertainment, DVD £19.99/VHS £12.99)

Starring: Antonio Banderas, Johnny Depp, Willem Dafoe, Salma Hayek, Ruben Blades, Eva Mendes, Enrique Iglesias, Mickey Rourke, Cheech Marin

THE saga of the mythical gun-slinging hero El Mariachi (Banderas) reaches its dramatic conclusion in the blood-soaked third part of Robert Rodriguez's action-packed trilogy. Evil drug cartel king Barrillo (Dafoe) and corrupt General Marquez (Vigil) prepare to overthrow the Mexican president and seize control of the country. Politically-minded CIA agent Sands (Depp) masterminds an elaborate plot to sabotage Barrillo's assassination attempt, wooing El Mariachi out of self-imposed retirement to kill both Marquez and Barrillo before they stage the coup.

DVD Extras: Director commentary, eight deleted scenes with optional commentary, Inside Troublemaker Studios featurette, The Anti-Hero's Journey featurette, Film Is Dead: An Evening With Robert Rodriguez featurette, The Good, The Bad And The Bloody special effects featurette, two short films by Robert Rodriguez, theatrical trailers.

Rugrats Go Wild (U, Paramount Home Entertainment, DVD £15.99/VHS £12.99)

DVD Extras: Big Bad Cat featurette with Bruce Willis and Chrissie Hynde, deleted scenes and out-takes, alternative ending, three deleted songs.

Published: 04/03/2004