Eleven actors in search of the cool

Rating: Null/10 (14 December 2001)

What was it about the original that enticed Steven Soderbergh to remake the hip caper film which had more style than substance? Perhaps the will not to repeat the mistakes of his forbears. This remake uses legitimate actors rather than entertainers, serious writing over hacked pulp fiction and a public fond of nostalgic cool instead of the vain attempt to revive a flagging Vegas casino scene. Ironically, Vegas is hurting after the 9/11 tragedy, and this film may help revive the luster of the crap tables and slots in that famous desert.
This is an amazing assemblage of talent assisted by special effects and tight scripting which carries the action forward and seldom droops. We want to see these bad guys succeed, simply because they're faced with insurmountable odds, evil capitalists and a wholesome goal of recapturing a lost love. This combination could be cloying, but it isn't in this film.
We have no clear idea of how the O-11 bunch plans to escape with their loot, even though their strategy to sneak in is quite clear. And that element of surprise sustains your interest. There's action, humorous repartee suspense and tenderness. It's fun, but there's not much here to inspire this reviewer. If it gets us to forget the turkey that inspired the remake, this Ocean's 11 has achieved something.