Unlucky 13 - I don't think so

Rating: 7/10 (16 June 2007)

I loved Oceans 11 when it was released. It was slick, funny, entertaining, had a fantastic original script and had a huge A list cast.
I hated Oceans 12. It had all the things mentioned above with the addition of Catherine Zeta Jones and an embarrassing Bruce Willis cameo. The problems with Oceans 12 is that it had all the ingredients as Oceans 11 but got so caught up in its on self importance and fame and ultimately became so bloated with stars and in jokes it became a mess.
I didn't want to see Oceans 13 but after some promising reviews and good trailers, there I was on opening night.
Gone are Catherine Zeta Jones and Julia Roberts as Oceans 13 was not their fight. This was the correct decision, their inclusion in the movie would have been unnecessary.
Plot Not overly complicated. Reuben gets screwed around by Bank over the opening of a new casino so Danny, Rusty and the gang vow to get revenge by ruining Bank financially and so it begins.
They set out to ruin opening night by fixing all the machines etc to pay out big money. Their plan is foiled by the discovery of a computer inside the casino that can tell if you are cheating or if you know that you are going to win. This is a nice touch and it was fun and interesting to watch how the gang would get around this problem - although there was never any doubt that they would.
Cast All of the original 11 had returned. They are a great ensemble cast and all work so well together. This time we get even more of Turk and Virgil (my favs) and even less of Bernie Mac so I was happy.
Virgils trip to Mexico to rig the dices as they were being made only to start a protest and get the factory shut down was funny, was made even funnier by Turk going to sort him out and joining in the riot. Virgil and Turk are so great - they should have their own spin off! lol
You can tell the Damon, Clooney and Pitt are all buddies in real life they all just work so well together.
It was a nice touch that in scenes with just Clooney and Pitt we cut to them in mid conversation which turned out to be pretty funny as we had no idea what they were on about!
Ellen Barkin was OK in the role she was given. - nothing much to say about her role at all.
Matt Damons nose was great and it was apparently not a prop for props sake. Apparently a big nose is still good for a few laughs in today's sophisticated age!! A little cameo from his characters father at the end was a nice touch
Terry Benidicate was back in a small role which was nice as he is a fun character. Seeing him on Oprah - a long running joke through the film was funny!
Best Line This would have to go to Rueben. I cannot remember the full line which I am really annoyed at, but when he is in bed speaking for the first time and he gives of a list of comments and ends with "Linus crying" = very funny
Honourable mention must go to Turk and Virgil Turk - Is it in yet? Virgil - I hate that question!
Payoff There was never any doubt that Oceans11 were going were going to succeed in their plan but watching them pull it of was a fun journey!
Overall This film was so much better than Oceans 12. I am glad that they left out CJZ and J.R, but I am not saying that they are the reason for Oceans 12 being the weakest of the three no no no .
I would give it 7/10. It loses a two points for being the third movie (one point lost for each sequel). This is because Oceans 11 was never meant to be a franchise - Oceans 11 wasn't made with sequel in mind.
It also loses a point for the cheesy in jokes at the end - Clooney telling Rusty to go have a couple of kids, Pitt telling Clooney not to put on so much weight in between and Damon for saying I will see you when I see you.
There is a slight chance that we will see Oceans 14. It is necessary? No. It is needed ? No. Will I see it? Yes.