The Cast Makes it Worth Watching

Rating: Null/10 (2 December 2012)

Ocean's Eleven (2001)
*** (out of 4)
Remake of the 1960 Rat Pack film features a new slew of "A" list actors as they try and rob three Las Vegas casinos in one night for a total of $150-million. I really don't think this remake improves on anything in the original movie but at the same time this one here contains an excellent cast that helps keep everything watchable. Director Steven Soderbergh adds a great style to the picture that keeps you glued into what's going on but at the same time making sure you never think about things too much or else you'd quickly realize that the entire plan simply could never happen. Soderbergh manages to keep the film moving at a very quick pace, which certainly helps things since overall this is just an average caper film. George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Julia Roberts, Andy Garcia, Carl Reiner, Bernie Mac, Elliott Gould, Don Cheadle, Casey Affleck and several celebrity cameos certainly keep you glued to the screen. Not only do the actors all show up in good form but several of them turn in excellent performances. This includes Garcia who is just so calm, cool and collective that you can't help but love the character and the way he handles his business. Both Clooney and Pitt share some great chemistry and even Roberts manages to be charming. Again, I don't think this version really improves any on the original story but then again, the original wasn't the greatest picture ever made. Fans of the cast will certainly want to check this out even with its flaws.