A damn entertaining movie.

Rating: 9/10 (12 December 2001)

Ocean's 11 is nothing less than the most fun I've had in a movie theater this year. It doesn't have huge laughs, or gigantic stunts, or expensive effects. It's got a tight script, great stars in top form, and some snazzy photography.
I'm probably biased; Steven Soderbergh is my favorite working director. After a year with the phenomenal Traffic and the underrated Erin Brockavich (Both nominated for Best Picture Oscars), he aims for nothing less than a pure entertainment movie. And he flat out succeeds. There are few scenes in Ocean's 11 that don't burst off the screen; and after the fifteen minute mark of the film, it doesn't rest until the epilogue. In between, it's a pure heist picture that will gratify fans of the genre and probably just about anyone else.
In the amoral world of the film our heroes are a (almost) dozen crooks, thieves, scam artists, cons, and experts, led by Daniel Ocean (George Clooney), recently released from prison and out for some serious cash. His crew's played with flair and a lot of cool by (among others) Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Carl Reiner, Elliot Gould, Casey Affleck, and Don Cheadle with a nasty British accent. They're looking to knock off three casinos owned by the nasty Terry Benedict (the glowering Andy Garcia). Since he's really mean, and he's with Danny's ex-wife Tess (The glowing Julia Roberts) casino robbings made both fun and right.
I kid; it really doesn't matter that these guys are crooks. They, along with the whole film, are so likeable, it doesn't matter. Soderbergh and screenwriter Ted Griffith pull off surprise after surprise, constantly wratcheting up the pressure on the heist. Kudos also to the precise, calculated editing. The movie is a manipulative ride, and it never stops working.
You walk out of the movie feeling cooler just by seeing it. There's a swagger in your step and a glint in your eye. So it's not just a fine film; it's a public service for geeks. Just go see it folks.