This entry was posted on Friday, November 9th, 2007 at 5:36 pm and is filed under Action, Action/Comedy, Mob, Crime and Scam Movies, O. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
Director: Steven Soderbergh
Starring: George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Al Pacino, Elliot Gould, Ellen Barkin, Bernie Mac, Casey Affleck, Don Cheadle, Scott Caan
Well, the 13-part formula is mixed here, once again, and I have to say I’m getting a little tired of the taste. Most of the group is back for an even more outrageous scam that really stretches credibility past the breaking point. Soderbergh seems to know this and plows full speed ahead, whizzing the viewer through with a dizzying pace, and a script that has so much going on that most viewers don’t have time to give any one part too much thought. The movie is better if you don’t.
Al Pacino is an unscrupulous casino owner named Willie Bank (come on! Bank???) who ruthlessly rips off Reuben, causing him to have a medical crisis. This affront brings the cavalry, led by Danny Ocean (Clooney) to get revenge by wrecking Bank’s spectacular new casino. The plan to do this involves giving a travel writer a nightmare stay (it really seemed pretty silly to put in all this effort put in just to ruin somebody’s meal). As well, they plan to rig a bunch of casino games to lose, so that Bank’s baby drops a fortune on its first day. The third part of this ridiculous scheme is to steal Bank’s precious diamond collection. Doesn’t sound all that hard. What are you guys going to do after lunch? Ellen Barkin’s character is ridiculous and offensive and is the weakest part of an already weak script. The scams are wildly far-fetched and even Clooney and Pitt’s banter seems plastic and forced which is hard to accept from actors of this caliber. Despite the many shortcomings, the movie is still really slick with some clever ideas, wonderful visuals and a pace that keeps the viewer engaged.
If you don’t expect too much, or think too much, this could be a good movie. It follows the formula of the first two, so if you liked those films, without reservations, then this one will probably suit you just fine. There are weak points, though, and they are not difficult to spot, affecting the enjoyment of even slightly discriminating viewers. The first two features had the same plot holes as, well, but they are more prominent here and the premise is getting tired. These Oceans are getting tougher to cross, let’s just hope they stop before they sink in a crossing attempt. I did like the Sinatra ending, though.
