A classic remake? (James Bond - On Her Majesty's Secret Service (Ultimate Edition, 2 DVDs))

Member Name: Jameztoo

Product:	James Bond - On Her Majesty's Secret Service (Ultimate Edition, 2 DVDs)
Date:	17/04/02 (155 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Brilliant story, unexpected plot twists

Disadvantages: I can't be as cool as them - ever.

I recently found out, after I'd seen this film that it was, like several films recently, a remake of an older film. I know nothing of that film so please forgive my ignorance of it now.

I went to see Oceans Eleven last week for many reasons, not all of them good. Firstly I went to the cinema, I went because I had a free ticket from the back of the Sugar Puffs packet. And as an ex-student I couldn't resist using it out. So I popped down to the new cinema in Maidenhead (as the one in Slough wasn't running the promotion.) As usual I was late, this time because I read my new fangled analogue watch (what can I say I'm a techie ;) incorrectly - What a blunder. So I couldn't see the showing of Blade II which is I am ashamed to say is the film I was intending on seeing. So seeing as there were no films coming up, I went away had some food and came back later, this time however the next showing of Blade II was full! What a stupid mistake - why didn't I book the ticket before I went to get something to eat? Possibly because I was destined to see it. So I'd best get to the film as you are all wondering whether this review is about Oceans Eleven or not. Needless to say I new next to nothing about this film apart from the fact that it had George in a tux in it.

What is it all about?
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Mr Ocean, played ably by George Clooney is a conman, a thief, basically a sophisticated scoundrel, (I'm thinking Lando Calrissian, but that's just me). He's just come out of prison so obviously he's going to look for a nice hard working honest job - right? Aaaarn wrong. He's going to get in touch with his old pal Rusty.
Ocean tells Rusty (Brad Pitt) of his new plan to get rich quick. Needless to say the plan is both bold and dangerous. It also needs backing which is where Rueben the former casino owner. From there it rolls quickly forward gathering personnel until finally yes you've guessed it th
ere are 11 men. (Sorry ladies no women on this team)
However perhaps I spoke too soon, there is almost always a love interest in film, in this one we have Julia Roberts - I know I need say no more. ;).

What's it like?
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Set mostly in Las Vegas its a glitzy, classy, clever movie, I suspect the cleverness comes mostly from the original. I remember watching Pierce Brosnan in the Thomas Crown Affair, that was a similarly clever film, in fact if you liked that one you'll probably like Ocean's Eleven. The film is quite a fast paced film without being a real action flick, there is violence and swearing but not so thick that I really noticed it.

Who's In It?
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DANNY OCEAN - George Clooney
RUSTY RYAN - Brad Pit
LINUS CALDWELL - Matt Damon
TERRY BENEDICT - Andy Garcia
TESS OCEAN - Julia Roberts
BASHER TARR - Don Cheadle
LIVINGSTON DELL - Eddie Jemison
FRANK CATTON - Bernie Mac
REUBEN TISHKOFF - Elliot Gould
SAUL BLOOM - Carl Reiner
TURK & VIRGIL MALLOY - Scott Caan and Casey Affleck
YEN - Shaobo Qin

STEVEN SODERBERGH ? Director

Why should anyone see it?
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Well obviously I think Its a great movie, I wouldn't recommend it if I did. I also think that it would work equally well at home as a take out video, its the dialog and the clever direction which make this such a good movie, not the effects, of which there are a few good ones. All the actors play their parts very well, and if there was one flaw it would have to be that we didn't see enough of Julia Roberts, but her part in the movie was small but important so I can't really complain.

Recommend it?
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Yep, but no real need to see it at the Cinema.

Summary: