Rating: Summary: Pure fun and total cool from start to finish Review: They may be a modern-day version of the famous 'Rat Pack', this cast of the remake of "Ocean's 11". There is just such a smooth 'coolness' that emanates from this movie that they viewer can't help but enjoy it. In an era where film studios and directors try to smash the audience over the head with what they think the audience should think is popular and cool, it's refreshing to see a movie that lets its 'cool' develop on its own. Director Stephen Soderbergh to a break from such serious, award-winning movies as "Traffic" and "Erin Brockovich" to direct this film that was essentially a recreational activity with a group friends with names such as Pitt, Damon, Clooney, and Roberts.
The plot of "Ocean's 11" centers on a plan by con-man Danny Ocean (George Clooney) and his partner-in-crime Rusty (Brad Pitt) to pull off biggest heist in Las Vegas history: the seizure of $150 million from a secure vault that services three of Vegas' biggest casinos. This does present itself as an easy task to accomplish. In a humorous aside, the man who will be financing this heist (played by Elliott Gould) tells Ocean and Rusty about the three most successful heist attempts in Las Vegas history. Each one failed to make it past the security and each one incurred some major injury in the process. These were the most SUCCESSFUL heists(!), and now Ocean is trying to break into the most secure vault this side of Fort Knox. Obviously, in order to pull of this caper, many players will need to be involved and have to ply their respective skills in order to make this plan work. However, beyond just the security issues, there are a couple of issues that put this plan in jeopardy. #1: The casino vault is controlled by ruthless casino owner Terry Benedict (Andy Garcia) who, when crossed will "kill you, then he'll go to work on you". #2: Ocean's motives seem suspect when it becomes known to Rusty that Ocean's former wife, Tess (Julia Roberts) is now the girlfriend of Benedict. Is Danny committed to the success of the heist or will he compromise everything to show up Benedict in an attempt to get Tess back?
Clooney continues to develop into a top-notch leading man by improving on the smoothness he first demonstrated in earlier Soderbergh film, "Out of Sight". He brings a swagger to the screen that is reminiscent of Sinatra's 'Rat Pack' days. Garcia is perfectly cast as the menacing Benedict in this film. The viewer can taste the venom dripping off every word he utters. The performances of Matt Damon, Don Cheadle, Carl Reiner, Brad Pitt, Bernie Mac, and Elliott Gould add a degree of panache to the proceedings. The Asian actor who played the contortionist was a unique 'twist' (no pun intended). The Malloy brothers, played by Casey Affleck and Scott Caan don't really bring much to the screen other than there juvenile bickering, but they are necessary to plot. The one truly disappointing performance is turned in by Julia Roberts as Tess Ocean. Roberts seems like she has very little to do here other than pose as window dressing and upbraid Danny for being a 'bad boy'. I don't know if it was just the material are just a poor performance, but an actress of Roberts' caliber shouldn't fail to register in a movie like this. That gripe aside, though, "Ocean's 11" is as good a time as one can have at the movies. If only more 'fun' flicks like this could be made.
Rating: Summary: Entertaining movie with great cast Review: Ocean's Eleven is a remake of the film made by the Rat Pack in the 1960's. The story is about a group of crooks and conmen to rob three impregnable casinos in Las Vegas. They are led by ex-con Danny Ocean who wants to get revenge on the man who is now dating is ex-wife, Tess. The man just happens to be the owner of all three casinos. This is an extremely entertaining film with an all-star cast. Sure, the plot has holes in it, but that's not the point of the movie. This was supposed to be an entertaining movie that was fun to watch. With this kind of cast and still an excellent story, there's no way you can miss with this remake. George Clooney stars as ex-con Danny Ocean, the man seeking revenge from his past. His ex-wife is played by Julia Roberts who is now dating casino owner Andy Garcia. Ocean's team consists of Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Carl Reiner, Bernie Mac, Scott Caan, Elliot Gould, Casey Affleck, and in a very funny role, Don Cheadle. This was a great cast for a really fun movie to watch. The movie effectively shows how impossible it is to rob a casino with all the high tech security that is used. The actual heist is probably the best part of the movie with plenty of action and humor. The DVD is very good with several mini documentaries, two feature length commentaries, widescreen presentation and several trailers all included. For a fun couple of hours check out Ocean's Eleven for a good time!
Rating: Summary: Entertaining and well paced. Review: Ocean's Eleven is directed by Steven Sunderburgh who also did Traffic and The Limey. The tale takes place in Los Vegas and is basically an updated heist movie. The planners get their crew together, plan the heist and execute it. Sometimes the audience is aware of the plan, sometimes not. The film is somewhat gimmicky at times and the plot stumble a bit. But don't let that distract you. There is some great dialogue especially between Clooney and Pitt, as well as a twist or two during the execution of the robbery. No, this isn't a "great" film. What it is, is a lot of fun, with some good acting and directing. Good movie.
Rating: Summary: Add a star if you liked CASINO or THE STING Review: OCEAN'S 11 -- If you haven't seen it, buy it. This is the type of movie one can watch over and over again. Danny Ocean (Clooney) is a parolee planning a big time Vegas heist -- the biggest ever attempted. To pull it off, he enlists the help of his "11" cohorts (skillfully played by Pitt, Damon Cheadle, Affleck, and others). They concoct a mind blowing plan to steal the cash reserves of the casino owner -- Terry Benedict (Garcia). With a storyline filled with twists and turns (some predictable and others completely out-of-the-blue), OCEAN'S 11 continues to enthrall the repeat viewer. The story is engaging -- the characters endearing. Most importantly, the movie deeply submerges the viewer into the world of big time crime -- you tend to forget you are in a movie theater. One part CASINO, two-parts THE STING, OCEAN'S 11 is recommended for everyone.
Rating: Summary: Stylish, smart and cool - just don't think about it too hard Review: "Ocean's Eleven" is a Ferrari of a movie: cool, stylish, and classy. And if, like a Ferrari, it doesn't always work, that's OK - who will complain when it's so stylish? The premise is lifted right out of the 1960 Rat Pack original: Danny Ocean (George Clooney, suave as hell) is released from prison, and plots to steal over $163 million from the vault of a Las Vegas casino during a heavyweight fight. He recruits his old buddy Rusty Ryan (Brad Pitt), and they put together a dream team of crooks, each of whom has a specialty. There's a computer geek, a demolition expert, a con man, a pickpocket, and so on. And, of course, there's Danny's ex-wife, Tess (Julia Roberts), who's now involved with the manager (Andy Garcia) of the casino Danny intends to rob. So, Danny's not only after money - he wants his girl back as well. But she's having nothing of it, as evidenced by this neat dialogue piece: Danny: "I've paid my debt to society." Tess: "Funny, I haven't gotten my check yet." Dialogue like that is one of the great pleasures of this movie; watching it delivered by the likes of Clooney, Roberts, Pitt and the stellar supporting cast (Matt Damon, Don Cheadle, Carl Reiner, Elliott Gould, et al) is the other. And, in fairness, it's a good thing that the dialogue and acting is so good, because as a pure caper flick, "Ocean's Eleven" is, to be charitable, a little thin. In the best caper movies ("The Heist" comes to mind), the theft itself is the star of the movie - the intracicies, the backup plans, the intrigue. In "Ocean's Eleven," we're expected to believe that a casino with over $150 million in its vault wouldn't have a backup power generator, or that the vault's security system wouldn't have a motion sensor. But criticisms like that are akin to nitpicking that red Ferrari 575 because it has a small trunk - the point isn't realism, it's style, and like a Ferrari, "Ocean's Eleven" has it in droves.
Rating: Summary: Great Stars, Great Movie Review: I've got to admit, half the fun of this movie is the star-gazing. George Clooney is great as a convict recently released from jail, Brad Pitt is Mr. Suave as his right-hand man, and Julia Roberts plays the icy ex-wife beautifully. Throw in Matt Damon as a pick-pocket and Andy Garcia as a casino mogul and you've got the gist of this movie's star power. The plot is pretty simple: Danny Ocean (Clooney) organizes a group of eleven highly skilled criminals to simultaneously rob three of Vegas' biggest casinos. Their plans are over the top and outrageous-and you can't help but smile watching them put into action. There are also some really memorable touches in the movie: including Brad Pitt teaching Shane West and Topher Grace how to play poker. This movie kind of serves as a who's-who in Hollywood. "Oceans" probably won't spark any deep conversations or teach you any life lessons, but it's fun watching the celebrities interact onscreen. If you want something deep and thought-provoking, this probably isn't your movie. But if you want to watch something purely for entertainment, this is a great and fun film.
Rating: Summary: Terrific Cast makes this film fun to watch. Review: A Professional Thief by the name of Danny Ocean (George Clooney), who just got release from Prison but he`s planning to do another crime with a foolproof plan, it`s never been done before. So Danny and his best friend (Brad Pitt) need nine different professionals (Oscar-Winner:Matt Damon, Bernie Mac, Elliot Gould, Carl Reiner, Casey Affleck, Scott Cann, Don Cheadle, Ediie Jemison & Shaobo Qin) to masterminding a Major Las Vegas Heist to pull it off. But Danny`s Plan is to Rob a ruthless Casino Mogal (Andy Garcia), who`s keeping company with Danny`s Ex-Wife (Oscar-Winner:Julia Roberts). Directed by Oscar-Winner:Steven Soderbergh (Erin Brockovich, Full Frontal, Traffic) made a entertaining light comedy caper. This Cast is Terrific (Especially`s Reiner Role), this is in-name only of the 1960 movie of that the Original Rat Pack (Even Angie Dickinson & Herny Silva, who appear in the Original film, which they make a Cameo Apperences). DVD has a sharp anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1) transfer (also sharp in the Pan & Scan transfer) and a terrific Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. DVD has a Commentary Track by the Director and the Screenwriter. Another Commentary Track is by the Stars:Damon, Garcia and Pitt. DVD also has Documentaires, Theatrical Trailers and DVD-Rom Extras. This is Cleverly Written by Ted Griffin (Ravenous), which it has Plenty of Plot Twists & Surprises but at times-the film does have moments slow going. But it`s the skill of Soderbergh`s style & direction makes this film One of the Biggest Blockbusters Hits of 2001 a Winner. Topher Grace, Barry Watson, Brian Green Bush, Holly Marie Combs, Joshua Jackson & Producer:Jerry Weintraub appears in Cameos. Cheadle`s supporting role is Unbilled. Super 35. Grade:A-.
Rating: Summary: Sofisticated criminals against mobbed casino owner Review: George Clooney and Brad Pitt are fantastic. For the criminal mind or the criminal at heart it has a touch of funny with the smooth charactor of deception. It is as good if not better then the original Oceans 11 with Frank Sinatra.
Rating: Summary: I'll give it a 3 to a 4 Review: Breaking the bank movie, set in Las Vegas, lots of high rolling action, urbane... Clooney is good, great twist at the end. You can read all about it if you wish. You shouldn't... it will ruin the ending.
Rating: Summary: Entertaining Review: I don't know why film critics were so hard on this movie. While the original is pure dreck, this modern update is cleaver and wholly entertaining. Sure there is some campy acting and an over-the-top script, but it is still a fun romp. Julia Roberts is the only major downer as she continues to be unwatchable. Why my town repeatedly employs her is the great conundrum.
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