Entertaining star-studded caper

Rating: Null/10 (21 February 2002)

I had read the reviews of "Ocean's 11" beforehand and was told to expect a fun, slick, well made, smart and forgettable movie. That's what I looked for - and that's what I got.
"Ocean's 11" tells the story of Danny Ocean (George Clooney) and his ten cohorts (a range of actors including Brad Pitt and Matt Damon), who are attempting to knock over the casinos of Terry Benedict (Andy Garcia). Thrown into the mix is Benedict's girlfriend, who happens to be Ocean's ex-wife - Contessa Ocean. Ocean, naturally, sets about trying to win her back...
There's many a thing working in the film's favour. Firstly when any other director saw the cast-list of Garcia, Clooney, Roberts, Damon, Pitt, Elliot Gould and others, that Soderbergh had managed to assemble, they probably went off to cry in jealousy. It's a fabulous cast - almost too good for one movie. The best chemistry in the movie is not between Clooney and Roberts, but Clooney and Pitt who play wonderfully off one another. Clooney plays his character quite like he did in Soderbergh's "Out of Sight": charming, witty, with just-a-hint of self deprecation. Roberts is quite under used and isn't allowed do much beyond sit around, trying to make her mind up about Ocean. It's Pitt who stands out the most - not just in his excellent interplays with Clooney - but whenever he has a line. The rest of the cast are equally up to the job, though like many reviews here I was forced to grate at Cheadle's "English" accent.
The script is grand. You can't expect much from a heist movie because they usually, as this does, degenerate into extremely silly territory as they attempt to explain just how the heroes pulled off the impossible-bank-job. This is no different but the viewer is having enough fun that they can jump over the plot-holes. It's not a movie taking itself too seriously, or looking to give Mr. Soderbergh more Oscars. It's made for enjoyment.
Soderbergh does a grand job directing. There's nothing particularly gimmicky ever employed - the occasional split screen is it - but he carries the movie along with a slick, well edited pace. There's a somewhat unfortunate need to over-explain certain elements, particularly towards the end, but I can forgive that. Soderbergh, much as he did in "Out of Sight" shows how he can make a fun, character-based, little movie that entertains.
This movie reminded me a lot of "Bandits" from last year - one large heist, with one "twist", characters invested with comedy and smartness. "Ocean's 11" has better actors, characters, and a plot and - particularly if you enjoyed "Bandits" - should be caught to while away an hour or two. There's far too little substance to make it a classic, but there's more than enough to fill the one-off entertainment quota. 7.5/10.