Movie Notes: Ocean’s Thirteen

July 21st, 2008

= 4 stars

Starring George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon
Directed by Steven Sodebergh

Synopsis

Reuben (Elliot Gould) is double-crossed by casino mogul Willy Banks (Al Pacino), leading Danny Ocean (George Clooney) to round up the usual suspects for a hugely audacious heist motivated by revenge.

The Good

• The gang and hence the movie gains needed focus by returning to the straight forward casino heist theme of the first movie, Ocean’s Eleven.
• The issue I had with Ocean’s Twelve of not all of the Oceans’ members getting to participate is rectified in Ocean’s Thirteen. As with Ocean’s Eleven, each member has a critical role to play in the caper and a chance to chew screen time.
• The more ridiculous heist elements — a gigantic tunneling vehicle meant to simulate an earthquake, and a trek across the border to manufacture special dice — still prove entertaining.
• Sodebergh keeps things moving briskly — the film ends with that rare “wow, it’s over already?” feeling.

The Bad

• Ellen Barkin is the only female presence — no Julia Roberts or Catherine Zeta Jones to balance out the boy’s club.
• The side plot of the reviewer besieged by infections, laxatives, and bed parasites was one ridiculous thread I couldn’t quite follow — seems he would have bailed on “The Bank” after the first incident.

Conclusion

Ocean’s Thirteen is harmless fun. The heist is beyond the realm of believability, but the way it plays out is wholly entertaining, and the entire gang gets to participate. Clooney, Pitt, and Damon et al look like they’re having a blast, and so do we.

IMDB: Ocean’s Thirteen
Wikipedia: Ocean’s Thirteen
Rotten Tomatoes: Ocean’s Thirteen 70%