A Scientist at the Movies Reviews by Greg Paris

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Title: Ocean's Thirteen

Date Viewed: 6/16/07

Details:

George Clooney

Brad Pitt

Matt Damon

Elliott Gould

Bernie Mac

Don Cheadle

Casey Affleck

Eddie Jemison

Scott Caan

Shaobo Qin

Carl Reiner

Jerry Weintraub

Andy Garcia

Ellen Barkin

Al Pacino

Eddie Izzard

Director: Steven Soderbergh

Score: +

The Review: A little better than 12, almost as good as 11, but still a bit over the top in places. Finally, Matt Damon's character Linus appears to have passed his apprenticeship and is working in full measure with the rest of the crew. "The Nose is a player."

This is third in the series of Soderbergh remakes based on the original 1960 Rat Pack Oceans 11, with Clooney as Danny Ocean leading a loose-knit pack of cons through ever more intricate ways of separating vindictive assholes from their riches -- often, but not always, in Las Vegas. This time, it's even more personal, because Elliott Gould's character (the backer in previous episodes) has been driven to an unexpected heart attack by slimy business (and new casino) partner Willie Bank (Pacino, having fun being bad). So Danny's crew is out for revenge against Bank and his second in command (a hard-assed Barkin) -- which includes theft (of course), turning the tables on the new casino's attempt to coup the cherished 5-Diamond rating, and generally running rampant under the streets of Vegas.

This town must be particularly wide open, because otherwise how easy would it be to transport and insert massive tunnel drilling equipment right under both the authority's and casino owners' noses?

As usual, there are several sub-plots and problems. And as usual, vicarious enjoyment is to be had.

(4-Jul-07)

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