The boys are back!!! (Ocean's Thirteen (DVD))

Member Name: MrTink12

Product:	Ocean's Thirteen (DVD)
Date:	19/06/07 (128 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: High profile cast, looks great, some good comedy

Disadvantages: Hardly original, story is silly

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“…Ocean’s Thirteen is not essential viewing”


Steven Soderbergh directs the third instalment of the Ocean’s series. This is a comedy heist flick. It is fair to say that after the success of Ocean’s Eleven the first sequel, Ocean’s Twelve, was disappointing to many. The main question is: does Thirteen recapture the quality of the first film?


--------What’s the film about?--------
Casino owner Willie Bank (Al Pacino) causes Reuben Tishkoff (Elliott Gould) to suffer a near fatal heart attack after double-crossing him. Danny Ocean (George Clooney) and his loyal gang seek revenge for harming their mentor/friend. They vow to financially cripple Bank by sabotaging the opening night of his new Las Vegas business venture. Fixing all the games in a casino is no easy task. Thus, despite all the planning, will the gang succeed?


--------Is it any good?--------
It would be fair to say the plot is rather ridiculous, but does not prevent the flick from being entertaining. The film is well paced, looks colourful, and never becomes dull. I would categorise the Thirteen as a somewhat ‘blokey’ film. Nonetheless I am sure many women will enjoy it. After all I am reliably informed that the likes of Pitt, Clooney and Damon are aesthetically pleasing to women the world over. Moreover the film benefits from several funny moments, especially the banter between the main characters. Unfortunately, the greatest problem will be that a lot of people will watch Ocean’s Thirteen and think to themselves ‘have I not seen all this before?’

You would have to have lived under a rock most of your life not to be familiar with the high profile cast on display. Although the cast may be top notch, the acting overall is very limited. For instance, Clooney delivers a reasonable performance as the charismatic and cool Ocean. Rather surprisingly Pitt has little to do playing Rusty Ryan, apart from answering his mobile phone with comical ring tone. Although his performance was nothing spectacular, Damon certainly ‘nose’ (those who have seen the film will understand) how to act in this film. Pacino does well in a role that is hardly testing for an actor of his exceptional ability. Don Cheadle once again speaks with a seriously dodgy English accent. The only female actress of note is Ellen Barkin who plays Bank’s right hand woman Abigail Sponder, and puts in a satisfactory performance. I was impressed with Eddie Izzard’s energetic cameo role as a technical advisor. One quick point to mention is that Julia Roberts and/or Catherine Zeta Jones do not make an appearance in this film.


--------Final comments--------
I would score the film a respectable 6.5 out of ten. Ocean’s Thirteen is not essential viewing, failing to match the slickness of Ocean’s Eleven. Even so, if you are looking for a film that does not take itself too seriously you could do a lot worse than watching this movie. I hope there is no Ocean’s Fourteen – they have taken the Ocean’s series as far as possible. It makes far more sense for Soderbergh to work on other (and preferably original) projects. For those interested, Ocean’s Thirteen is currently available to watch at cinemas nationwide.


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Technical Details
Certificate: PG
Duration: 122 minutes approximately
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Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed.

Summary: Better than average heist flick!