Ocean's 12

-Directed by: Stephen Soderbergh

Starring:
George Clooney - Danny Ocean
Julia Roberts - Tess Ocean
Brad Pitt - Rusty Ryan
Matt Damon - Linus Caldwell

You know them. They're the people, from the place who did the thing? This all star cast is back. Yes, all of them. Thanks to a sharp script, and a saavy director, the entire crew from the infamous Las Vegas heist has returned for more. Terry Benedict (Andy Garcia) is on the trail of Ocean's 11, and he's been in a bad mood since they relieved him of about 160 million dollars. Yes, the insurance company has replaced it but that's not the point. The point is that he was robbed, and he hates to lose. Ok, so...that's about all I can explain about the plot without giving much away. Now then, on to the fun stuff.

I was a big fan of the first movie which was a remake of a classic made back in the 1960s. The original Ocean's 11 really isn't a movie I'd recommend because it was made for one reason. One of the stars (Frank Sinatra) wanted an excuse to stay in Vegas and there came the movie. I found the original flat and unappealing. Luckily for this generation, we have someone like Soderbergh who wants to make movie going fun. He creates an environment where you really do want to cheer for the thieves. Why? Well, take George Clooney's smart portrayal of Danny Ocean. He's slick, but you want him to do well. Clooney is at home as Ocean, and his natural on-screen charm makes it clear he is a man born to make movies.

The entire film took the cast all over Europe and from every bit of press I've seen it's been a movie made by close friends. These people are not novices. Collectively, they've all made likely well over 100 movies. They could act like friends with a lampshade. But the natural exhuberance they have for each other makes this movie sparkle. My only complaint is that you sometimes wonder if you were missing the joke. Maybe we are. Technically, a really good thief makes you wonder what happened long after they've disappeared into the sunset.

Oh, and by the way? Twelve really is the new eleven.


-Jenn Untch
Liberty, Missouri
indigojenn@earthlink.net
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