It's Getting Faster Every Time

Rating: 5/10 (26 August 2007)

Ocean's 11 was a brilliant combination of gripping detective, thrilling comedy and excellent love story, lifted on high by the dazzling array of great actors. Ocean's 12 was slightly worse, as the plot began repeating itself and some tricks did not work out again. Ocean's 13? C'mon, give me a break! What could be invented, if anything, this time? Especially, taking into account the sad fact that Julia Roberts would not take part in this part anymore, what will happen this time? Well, the film makers eliminated the love story altogether, which thinned the film really badly. Instead, in addition to the smashing team of Clooney, Damon, Garcia, Pitt and others, they invited the one and only Al Pacino as a red-haired, merciless and vile casino owner, greedy and devoid of any principles. This time, the Danny Ocean team decides to ruin his tasteless new casino and even combine their efforts with their deadly rival, Mr. Benedict. And then, a fountain of head-banging tricks, smart ideas and impossibly expensive gadgets starts pouring on us effortlessly for almost 2 hours. The classical glossy picture, smooth jazz background, elegant view of Ocean (who, in fact, is a very incidental character this time, leaving much more time and space to other heroes) leave very little time to think. The movie becomes a nice, tasty, easy to digest comic strip, almost stripped of any serious thought or psychological insight. What is also a pity; the heroes of Pitt and Damon also have less impact and time on the screen, although Damon's appearance as a womanizer at the later part of the film and his romance with Pacino's aid make the film very funny. Keep it in mind, Pacino's hero is impeccable. He is cold, vile, greedy monster, a real shark, and his appearance, his hairdo, his suits, his manners are superb. He is the real winner of the whole movie. Well, trequels become so fashionable that one may scratch in utter disbelief if a new port be added or not. I hope, they will not go on with Ocean's 14. That will be really too much of a good thing. But still, this movie left me quite pleased. At least, that was a swift, easy-going, sweet-tasting, laughter-provoking bubble gum. Pity, that could have been a far better try.