OCEAN'S ELEVEN
SYNOPSIS:
Danny Ocean (George Clooney) walks out of jail and sets up an ambitious plan to pull the
heist of his life: over $160 million in cash from the world’s most guarded vault,
owned by Terry Benedict (Andy Garcia) the tough operator of three leading Las Vegas
casinos. He recruits a top team, ranging from a card sharp (Brad Pitt) and demolitions
expert (Don Cheadle) to a premier pick pocket (Matt Damon). The extra sting in the sting
is Ocean’s ex-wife, Tess (Julia Roberts) who is now dating Benedict. Is Danny after
revenge or something even sweeter?
Review by Andrew L. Urban:
Made in the United States of Entertainment, Ocean’s Eleven is effortless to enjoy, an
escapist yarn with a sense of style that starts with the script and ends with the
wardrobe. Steven Soderbergh cracks the secret of a cool caper movie for the new
millennium, while paying his respects to a genre that remains one of the most popular in
movie history. Back in the early 60s, the famous Rat Pack of Sinatra & Co took the
leading roles, and while this new wild bunch is not quite as seasoned in the rogue stakes,
they pull off a difficult job with aplomb. And that’s just the movie – the heist
itself is near-impossible, and that’s what holds our interest, other than the deftly
drawn characters. Andy Garcia’s menacing casino owner Terry Benedict goes a long way
to give the film its credible harder edge, even while we are in on the game with the
filmmakers that this is a film where people don’t get killed, maimed, exploded or
drugged to death. There has to be some danger, though, or else the film will flop like a
soufflé in the breeze. Economy in the writing, excellence in the direction and talent in
the performances ensures a wryly entertaining two hours, with some nice schtick between
the main players. And the best idea of all is the twist ending. Ocean’s Eleven is
refreshing, humorous and romantic to boot.
Review by Louise Keller:
Smooth, slick with an unsinkable cast, Ocean’s Eleven is the simply the perfect caper
movie. Steven Soderbergh's fine touch and dazzling cinematography complement a witty
script, razor sharp editing and a cool, laid back jazzy soundtrack, delivering pure
escapist entertainment. It really doesn't matter whether you remember the original Rat
Pack version or not, this is the definitive indulgence, crammed with virtuosity of craft,
ready to delight at every sharp turn and delicious twist. The star cast is a constellation
of talent, with George Clooney firmly at the helm. Charismatic Clooney effuses wit, charm,
humour and style naturally. With timeless, classic good looks, he is the Cary Grant of our
time –a ladies' man, a man's man….. it should be illegal for any man to be quite
so handsome! There's no rust on Brad Pitt as Rusty Ryan, Ocean's right hand man and Julia
Roberts has all the presence and glamour required to play the object of Clooney's desire.
You won't find a better dressed team of crooks! It's a wonderful team and I especially
love Elliot Gould's gold-chained Reuben Tishkoff and Carl Reiner's master conman, Saul
Bloom. There's so much snap, crackle and pop integrated into the elaborate set up, we get
sweaty palms when Eddie Jemison's electronics whizz wipes the exit route drawn on his
palms on his sweaty brow. Then there's Andy Garcia's smooth, heartless Las Vegas hotel
magnate, Don Cheadle's unpredicatable explosives expert, Matt Damon's nerdy pick pocket,
those squawking, squabbling brothers Malloy and the acrobat/contortionist who gets wheeled
into a tricky situation. We are kept on tenderhooks throughout the action and there is
always yet one more twist, one more surprise, one more sting. Nice touch to see two of the
cast members from the original, Angie Dickson and Henry Silva, in the crowd scene at the
Lennox Lewis/Wladimir Klitschko boxing event. The glamour and unique nightlife of Las
Vegas beckons alluringly and how the logistics of shooting at the beautiful Bellagio
(which looks stunning) were managed is something to marvel at. Fresh, invigorating and
totally seductive, Ocean’s Eleven is a royal flush.
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CRITICAL COUNT
Favourable: 2
Unfavourable: 0
Mixed: 0

FEATURE
SOUNDTRACK REVIEW

OCEAN’S ELEVEN (M)
(US)
CAST: George Clooney, Matt Damon, Andy Garcia, Elliot Gould, Brad Pitt, Don Cheadle, and
Julia Roberts
DIRECTOR: Steven Soderbergh
PRODUCER: Jerry Weintraub
SCRIPT: Ted Griffin (based on 1960 story by George Clayton Johnson, Jack Golden Russell;
screenplay by Harry Brown, Charles Lederer)
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Steven Soderbergh (as Peter Andrews)
EDITOR: Stephen Mirrione A.C.E.
MUSIC: David Holmes
PRODUCTION DESIGN: Philip Messina
RUNNING TIME: 116 minutes
AUSTRALIAN RELEASE DATE: January 10, 2002
VIDEO DISTRIBUTOR: Roadshow Entertainment
VIDEO RELEASE DATE: June 5, 2002
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