Bilking the Public

Rating: 5/10 (27 December 2008)

"They're back. And then some. Twelve is the new Eleven when Danny Ocean and pals return in a sequel to the cool caper that saw them pull off a $160 million heist. But $160 million doesn't go as far as it used to. Not with everyone spending like sailors on leave. Not with Vegas big-shot Terry Benedict out to recover his dough. And, not with a mysterious someone stalking Danny and crew. It's time to pull off another stunner of a plan - or plans" according to the sleeve's synopsis.
The first problem with "Ocean's Twelve" is that the main plot involves the original team's effort to RETURN the money from the first film, or DIE. "Ocean's Eleven" involved viewers is rooting for the superstar team to GET the money; and, none of them were killed. This film stabs the earlier one in the back. Perhaps, George Clooney (as Ocean) and his all-star team weren't so smart, after all. Probably, they should they have killed Andy Garcia's "Benedict". NOW, they have to steal more money, to pay their "debt". That's no fun.
The "In Jokes" are smarmy. On the plus side, the locations and music (David Holmes) are exemplary. The "laser field dance" in the great hall moves along stylishly. Attractive Catherine Zeta-Jones and Vincent Cassel are strong shove-ins to the cast - but, really, Steven Soderbergh should have considered the "Ocean's Ten", "Ocean's Nine", "Ocean's Eight", "Ocean's Seven" progression, ending with a George Clooney monologue on aging gracefully.
***** Ocean's Twelve (2001) Steven Soderbergh ~ George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon