Nice escapist summer fare - see it for the performances, don't think too hard about the plot

Rating: 7/10 (14 July 2007)

The third "Oceans" movie is something of a return to form after the irritating self indulgence and in-jokes of "Ocean's Twelve". It still isn't nearly as sharp as "Ocean's Eleven", but I think there is enough good stuff here that fans of "Eleven" will like "Thirteen".
I find that I have to agree with the comments that you have to suspend belief and critical thinking to swallow either the plot or some of the character's reactions to certain plot events.Mostly, I enjoyed it for the way the actors inhabited their roles and for the glittering high polish portrayal of Las Vegas itself.
For all his overexposure and tabloid hijinks, Brad Pitt can still make you forget all that when he is on screen; he shows why he is still worth the Big Bucks in this movie. "Rusty" continues to be the coolest and most likable smug bastard in recent movie memory, with George Clooney's "Danny Ocean" right behind him. And everyone here has just the right combination of savvy, cool, and likability.
***mild spoiler*** I did have some trouble with the Damon/Barkin seduction scenes. Although the "Sponder" character was delineated as a grade A, pure-dee "bitch", it was a still bit troubling watching her get sandbagged by "the Gilroy" gimmick. Yes, nothing actually happened, but really, there isn't that much functional difference using the Gilroy and slipping Rohypnol into her champagne. The movie loses a star for that little gaffe. ***end mild spoiler***
The dialog also seems to be a little sharper this time around, and Soderberg made the right choice by returning the setting to Vegas and keeping it there ***mild spoiler*** except for a weird diversion to Mexico for several scenes that really only seemed to be there to give Casey Affleck and Scott Caan something to do. That cost the movie another star***end mild spoiler***
I think what really puts the spark back into the story is that the feel is a little warmer this time around - the little kicker in the last 20 seconds of the film especially gave it just the right note.
So, yes, I liked it. There's no way the plot could hold up to close examination, but there were so many great lines and character bits and beautiful shots of Vegas and cool musical cues that the movie won me over. I'll probably get all three Oceans" movie when the inevitably trilogy DVD pack comes out in a year or three, just for all the neat little moments scattered like gems throughout.
If you like Brad Pitt, George Clooney, caper films, Vegas films, make it a point to seek this one out.