Ocean's Eleven (Full Screen Edition)

"Ocean's Eleven" makes a deal with you. It asks you to promise not to notice the plot holes and inconsequentiality that runs through its labyrinthine narrative. In return, it offers more star-wattage in one sitting than any five other blockbusters combined. For the most part, I'd say, it's a fair trade. For the most part.The film doesn't live up to this deal in several ways. First, we get some pretty silly casting choices. Matt Damon is a complete waste. Didn't he write "Good Will Hunting" to get out of playing underwritten cardboard parts like this? Julia Roberts (She's called Tess, as in Tess Trueheart. You must be joking) is not the least bit sexy, desirable, or tough enough to be caught in a love triangle with two very vital men. Andy Garcia, as one of those vital men, is not as vital as he could have been. Nor is he as menacing a badass as the movie would have you believe. They tried to tell me that anyone caught robbing his Casino would be in for a world of pain. Well, you don't scare me just by telling me. Film is a visual medium. Show me! And Steven Soderbergh, well, he's always been hit or miss in my books. "Out of Sight" was enjoyable, and the one film in his oeuvre that would lead you to believe he could direct "Ocean's Eleven" capably. But Soderbergh does what he always does: he gets in the way too much. Too much needless visual style, which does nothing to advance the plot, or keep you interested. Why can't you just let your movies breath, Stevie? Oh, and check out the awshucks fountain ending he tacks on. Blech.I suppose one could read the above bile-filled paragraph and come to the conclusion that I didn't like the movie. Well, you'd be wrong. I liked it a lot. And now I'll tell you why.It gives us some cool dudes who have serious chemistry together. Bernie Mac is underused, but shines as an Atlantic City dealer/con man finally given a shot at the big score. Don Cheadle has a ridiculous cockneyfied accent, but is entertaining nonetheless. His character, a munitions expert named Basher (natch!), even manages to throw in a bit of rhyming slang. Carl Reiner and Elliott Gould do their best to show the rest of these young whippersnappers how to chew scenery with style. Reiner looks like he should be living out his golden years in Florida, but still has the strength and will to be a vital con man. Gould couldn't look tackier (bushels of gold chains compete with abundant fur for space on his exposed chest), but he chomps on his cigars and delivers his lines with the gusto of a true pro. And there are a couple of other guys in the cast who also deserve a mention. Such as...Clooney and Pitt. Pitt and Clooney. They're asked to replace Sinatra and Dino from the original "Ocean's", and do so with style and cool to spare. George rarely breaks a sweat, relying on his considerable charm (the mega-star's stock in trade) to carry him through the picture. Even in the face of danger, he's always having a good time. Brad is more low-key, the Vladimir to George's Estragon. He begins the film as a bored card sharp, teaching poker techniques to bratty young Hollywood actors (Topher Grace gets mobbed for autographs, while Brad Pitt is left alone to ponder his existence? What a wonderful parallel universe we've stumbled on, here...). But when things get going later on, it's Pitt who leads the way, having more fun than anyone. And they both have such fun wearing a variety of super cool clothes. George even leaves a four-year prison term wearing his tuxedo, tie left dangling around his neck, as if he's just come from a long night of gambling rather than a spell in the clink. Brad is not to be outdone. He has more costume changes than Elizabeth Taylor in "Cleopatra". Male vanity, when done right, can be highly entertaining. These two actors, who I've always enjoyed in a variety of other roles ("O Brother, Where Art Thou?", "From Dusk Till Dawn", "Seven", and "Fight Club" come quickly to mind), team up wonderfully here. Neither one steps on the other's shining moments, and when they have to work together, their chemistry is just right. More of Clooney and Pitt (or should it be Pitt and Clooney?) in the future, and I'll be a happy film fan.You can't possibly go into this film expecting anything more than a glitzy style parade. But as glitzy style parades go, this is one of the best. It's entertaining, and that is the bottom line.

Love watching this movie. Great for when I need a movie that is super cozy for me. Great Dialogue. Fun Story. Makes me want to go to the casino right now.

Good movie, bought to add to my collection one of my faves!

I love all the Ocean's films (at least the 3 remakes), so I'm probably a bit biased. But they're pure fun, caper-y heist movies. The plots, while fantastical, are thoroughly enjoyable. Just don't think too much about them, as another reviewer pointed out. :)Watching the banter between George Clooney and Brad Pitt is a real treat, they way they'll finish each others sentences, and make inside references to one another that make you go "What the hell are they talking about?" It really makes it feel like those two particular characters go way back, which strengthens the bond and makes the subplot with Tess a little more interesting.Andy Garcia is great as the steely, unflappable Terry Benedict. You really get the sense of danger they're all facing by engaging in this heist.The supporting cast is top-notch, watching them interact and mess with each other is another hidden joy within the movie. Bernie Mac, Don Cheadle (uncredited!), Carl Reiner, Eliot Gould, Casey Affleck, all the others - every one of them is perfectly suited for their given role, and they play them to the fullest.David Holmes' soundtrack is *brilliant*, I hold it up against the likes of John Williams, Danny Elfman, and Hans Zimmer for how perfectly he crafted the musical story to match the action of the film.If you're looking for a solid hour and a half of a fun (if a bit unrealistic) ride that definitely doesn't take itself too seriously, it doesn't get much better than this.

Ocean's 11 is a really fun film. It's a heist film with all the right elements: comedy, archetype characters who are the "best" at what they do, badass dialogue, satisfying twists and turns, and a great payoff. Couple that with the truly start studded cast and you've got a truly fun film to watch and enjoy. It's well written, directed, acted, and shot and I'm not sure you could ask for more. Will it be your favorite of all time...? Probably not, but it's definitely a film you'll remember and want to watch again. It may lack an emotional gravitas that truly amazing films have, but it's not supposed to have that and makes up for the lack of it with substance and style.

👍

The original was great to me. This one blew that one out of the park. I don’t care what anyone says about this trilogy, it is fantastic.

Bueno