Ocean’s Eleven is a 2001 crime caper comedy about a mastermind and his eleven accomplices who plan to rob three Las Vegas casinos simultaneously.
One of the great things about George Clooney as an actor is is remarkable ability to play it serious and funny, and pull it off with seeming ease. Not only is he good at it, he’s got this old school ‘golden age’ movie star air about him that lends him such likability. Perhaps no other movie series in his career allowed him to dabble in that more than with Steven Soderbergh‘s 2001 remake of this classic 1960 film of the same name. It a nutshell, it follows thief Danny Ocean (Clooney), just released from prison who joins up with his old pal Rusty (Brad Pitt) to pull off a big heist, to rob three of the biggest casinos in Sin City. To do that, they need more men, and rile up a ragtag team of experts, including Matt Damon, Don Cheadle, Scott Caan, and others. Mixed up in this Tess (Julia Roberts), Ocean’s ex-wife who just happens to be dating Terry Benedict (Andy Garcia), the owner of all three casinos. Coincidence? Fun and full of comedic suspense, this first in the franchise is still the best.
THE LAST WORD
It ain’t easy to keep an ensemble comedy on track for a full length film but this cast and director keep all the plate spinning with great carefree fun.
Well left of reality, if you’re looking for something with more dramatic bite, this isn’t the Casino or crime caper film you’re looking for.