Much better than "OCEAN'S 12", but....

Rating: 8/10 (5 August 2007)

I wholeheartedly enjoyed OCEAN'S 13 far more than OCEAN'S 12. Why? Well, this time around, the story is a bit simpler and I found it funnier. I think I actually laughed more on this one than on the first! The acting was top notch as usual and the ensemble cast was marvelous, if not as great as on the first one. This time around is about a revenge of sorts, after one of Danny Ocean's associates, Reuben (Elliot Gould) is ripped off by Willy Bank (Al Pacino), a new, ruthless casino owner who wants Reuben out of his way. Reuben suffers an almost fatal heart attack due to this back stabbing by Willy. Danny and his friends swear to get even as his friend Reuben lies in bed, almost comatose. Willy Bank is on the verge of the grand opening of his hotel, which will be Las Vegas greatest attraction (a fictional, CGI created hotel). He also wants to win a prestigious "5 diamond" award, given only to the top of the top of luxury hotels worldwide by some important organization. As with the previous movies, it's interesting to see how the guys plan everything to achieve their revenge. The only thing about this sequel is the implausibility of certain events. Where as OCEANS 11, as outlandish as it was, exposed the heist within credible parameters, this time around some things look like right out of a comic book strip. For instance, why would the gang GO to Terry Benedict for help? In the first movie, Benedict was portrayed as a ruthless, almost homicidal casino owner. You really had a fear of him and, after what Danny Ocean and his gang did to him, I doubt he would ever have use for any of them. Well, this time the gang asks Benedict to finance the heist, just because Willy Bank's hotel casts a shadow over Benedict's hotels. And some of the devices used this time around look like out of the latest FANTASTIC 4 movie.
As with previous films, this is not a fast paced auctioneer, and the real deal here is to enjoy the subtleties, the way the gang plans and executes the heist. I really enjoyed this, if somewhat unbelievable sequel, and I laughed real hard!