2001 vs. 1960, Modern Version is much better than Classic

Rating: Null/10 (9 April 2004)

It is perceived that Hollywood is running out of ideas. This allegedly explains why there are so many remakes of older, classic movies with a contemporary slant to them. At times, the remakes are not up to par, and destroy the legacy of the classics which preceded it. `Ocean's Eleven' destroys this perception.
If you are bothering to read this review, you know that the 2001 version of `Ocean's Eleven' is a remake of the 1960 version of `Ocean's Eleven' which included Frank Sinatra and the other Rat Packers. In both versions, the plot of the films was to rob a series of Las Vegas casinos.

In the new version, the movie follows a format which is technically sound:

assemble the Motley crew of individuals to help pull the job (this is important, because knowing what security is like in casinos anywhere, it will take a crew to pull off such a thing);
they meet to discuss the job,
every individual gets their assignments;
and they execute (problems will arise, of course. Problems must arise, or else it would not be much of a movie).
The first half hour of the movie was involved the assembly of the crew. The rest of the film involves explaining and pulling off the job, twists and turns included. The 2001 version is more believable and more enjoyable, because a casino heist will take some time and careful execution. In the 1960 version, the movie drags for an hour about nothing until the heist is brought up, and the job is done in 15 minutes in a very unbelievable way. Even in 1960, a casino heist could not be accomplished that fast. If you want technical accuracy, and more interesting twists, watch the 2001 version. In this respect, the 2001 version is far better that the 1960 version
The only positive to the 1960 version over the 2001 version is this: The 1960 version gives you more feeling into what Las Vegas is like than the 2001 version, due to the Rat Pack being as much of part of Las Vegas culture at that time like the Internet is a culture in this time. In the 2001 version, it feels like you could have pulled the job in Atlantic City, or Mississippi somewhere.
If you want real heist excitement, watch the 2001 version.