Downright ridiculous. But fun...

Rating: 6/10 (25 December 2004)

I am in no way comparing 12 to 11. Because... well... there *is* no comparison. Which is really quite sad because Ocean's 11 was one of those rare cinematic treats that refused to condescend to the cinema-goer by treating them with respect and commanding their intelligence. It was fun. It was chic. It was sexy as hell. And we had every right to expect that same sort of experience with the much anticipated sequel.
Unfortunately, Sonderbergh's sequel doesn't match up to all the eager expectations.
However, I *am* going to say, that I *will* give Ocean's 12 credit for simply being what it is: two hours of a shamelessly whimsical ride. Yes, the plot is ridiculous (though not as confusing as some here have claimed) and the film does indeed hang itself by its' own rope. BUT, if you clear your memory of that wonderful first movie, then I think it is still possible to enjoy this film as a cheeky romp that actually *doesn't* take itself seriously (as some here have claimed) and doesn't make any attempts to dig deeper than its admittedly shallow and glossy surface of quick-witted one-liners and slapstick pranks.
Ocean's 12 is a ride that unfortunately, judging by the sprinkled laughter in the theater when I saw the film, much of the audience isn't going to catch on to. But if you *do* catch the ride, well, it *does* make for a pretty damn fun time. (If for no other reason than getting to hear Matt Damon use the opening lines of Led Zepplin's 'Kashmir' in an effort to 'speak code' which I thought was downright hilarious. Of course the kid sitting next to me at the theater had *no* clue what was going on...)