Ocean's Eleven

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Fun heist movie for older kids and their families.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Kids say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Ocean's Eleven is a slick caper movie that keeps the audience rooting for appealing, clever con artists and thieves throughout. The fact that their target is a ruthless and violent business tycoon is meant to lessen the immorality and illegality of their adventure. There's lots of suspense, a few action-packed moments with some hard punches thrown, several explosions, a faked death, and two guards gassed into unconsciousness. No one is hurt or killed. Swearing is occasional, including "f—k," "s—t," "goddamn," "screwing," "hell." In one scene there is a mock racist argument during which characters call one another "cracker" and "colored." Sexuality is limited to one kiss as well as a few wide shots of strippers and a lap dance in an upscale nightclub. This film, a loose remake of the 1960 film of the saem name, starring Frank Sinatra and his Rat Pack, spawned the sequels Ocean's Twelve and Ocean's Thirteen.

  • Basic premise is that a smart, attractive, "ethical,"  racially diverse team of swindlers and robbers are heroes while the villain, their mark, is a heartless corporate big shot. So good defeats evil -- but in a nontraditional way.
  • The romantic con artists are loyal, brave, smart, funny, and honorable toward one another. The diverse, colorful team of rogues includes: a Chinese gymnast, two lovable old stereotypical Jewish crooks, and two black criminals. The only substantial female player is the love interest of the gang's leader, Danny Ocean.
  • There's lots of suspense, much of it with a sense of comic irony, as the heroes try to pull off a remarkable robbery. Action includes some fist fights, a beating, chaos in a casino, two security guards being gassed into unconsciousness, and several explosions (two cars and several small rooms blow up). No one is injured or killed. In one scene, an elderly man seems to be having a heart attack or stroke, then appears to be dead (but not for long).  
  • One romantic kiss; several distant shots of strippers, and one short lap dance. No nudity.
  • Occasional swearing that includes two instances of "f—k" and other milder curse words: "goddamn," "no s—t," "screwing," "a--hole." In one scene two men pretend to insult each other with racial slurs: "goddamn cracker," "colored." One character makes an obscene gesture.
  • Las Vegas hotels abound: Bellagio, Mirage, MGM Grand, Mandalay Resort. Other visuals: Trump Plaza, Ramlosa water, Budweiser, Michelob, Barnum’s, and Macy’s.
  • An elderly man chomps on a cigar in all of his scenes. A few scenes show men drinking in social settings: in a bar, a casino, a hotel room, at a gaming table, at dinner.

What's the story?

In this loose remake of the 1960 film starring Frank Sinatra and his Rat Pack, George Clooney plays Sinatra's part, Danny Ocean, this time just out of prison (in the tux he was wearing when he went in) with an idea about robbing three casinos of $150 million. The only problem is that the vault that holds all of their cash is "a security system that rivals that of most nuclear silos." But Danny figures if he can get a good team together and a bankroll for some equipment, he can make it work, Mission Impossible-style. Danny connects with his former partner-in-crime Rusty (Brad Pitt), and they gather a team of men with various criminal talents.


Is it any good?

 

With enough genuine Hollywood star power to light all the neon signs in Nevada, OCEAN'S 11 is a good old-fashioned, Hollywood heist film fun. Part of the pleasure of the film is that we feel that we're listening in on real conversations, and find ourselves leaning forward as though each of us is in on the deal with them.

One problem, though, is that there are just too many goodies on screen. It's hard for us to adjust our expectations for star turns by the high-wattage cast (which includes Matt Damon, Bernie Mac, Don Cheadle, and Julia Roberts, to name just a few). There are so many stars that we don't get to spend enough time with any of them. Old-timers Elliott Gould and Carl Reiner are magnificent in small roles, and a couple of young TV stars drop by for a slyly hilarious cameo. And Brad Pitt turns in a performance of effortless charm, subtle and witty, completely in service to the character and the movie and yet completely movie star mesmerizing.


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What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about why heist films are perennially popular. What is it that we enjoy so much about seeing a robbery? Is it the fantasy of instant millions? The fun of seeing how they solve the unsolvable logistical problems? Watching them respond on the spot to the unexpected?

  • How do the writer and director make us root for the crooks?

  • Which character did you like the most? Why?


This review was written by Nell Minow
Kid, 12 years old
April 24, 2011
 
Great For Tweens
I think this is the funniest movie EVER!!!!

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Adult
April 9, 2008
 
One of my favorites
I love the mix of comedy used as well as the plot and quick pace keeps you wanting more. It was fun, pretty clean and makes me smile. Great job by all these top notch actors!

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Teen, 17 years old
April 9, 2008
 
Great movie.
I like this movie a lot, but it might be because I've seen the second one. Definitely see this one, but unless you love the series, don't see the second one, even though it's important to the story. Ask someone who has seen it to tell you what happened.

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Teen, 14 years old
November 29, 2009
 
Great for ages 10+
This movie is definitely my top 3

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Teen, 18 years old
April 9, 2008
 
A cleaver but for the older kids and there adults
Oceans 11 is exciting and good but the humor is definitally adult and the younger kids will probally not get it.

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Kid, 12 years old
May 27, 2011
 
AWESOME MOVIE! (brad pitt looks cute in it too!)
I've recently read a heist book and it was amazing, just like this movie. Although it has a few bad words(which I won't list here), it's not that bad of wording. It is funny and very entertaining and catches your attention all the time.

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Adult
October 10, 2010
 
Such a wasted cast...
With a cast like this, you'd think that this would be the greatest heist movie ever. What we got was boring, annoying dribble. I'm sorry for being so negative, but I was genuinely shocked at how much I didn't like this movie! Parents: There is some bad language and intense peril, but that still doesn't make the movie entertaining. Bottom Line: I didn't enjoy this film, but that doesn't mean you won't. In fact, that goes for any review I or any other critic puts out there. It's just opinion, folks. But, I appreciate that you took time to hear my opinion. So, thanks for reading! - Movie Man

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Adult
February 3, 2011
 
Fine for adults, not for kids/young teens
I loved the plot of the movie. Great acting. Interesting. Action-packed. But as for the whole "positive role model" concept, that goes out the door when you consider that they are all a bunch of theives robbing the largest casinos in Vegas. Putting that thought aside, there were still some questional elements not suitable for children/young teens. The language was strong. The sexuality was pretty bad. No bedroom scenes, but practical nudity of the show girls. One scene has a girl in a COMPLETELY see-through dress seducing a man. I was shocked that was in there. Overall, the movie is fine for adults. I would not recommend for anyone under 15.

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Adult
April 9, 2008
 
Ocean's 11~ Just as good as the original.....(sortof)
Just as good as the original.....(sortof).... I say that because of the premise of the movie is to rob 3 casino's. Ok so whats the big deal? the Original movie was set in the 50's-60's where the technology of security was lax at best. Now-a-days theres alot more going on behind the scenes in a casino regarding security. So the whole premise of the ending (how they 'get away with the loot') had to be redone. Briliant! I watched the movie thinking how are they going to do this (being a fan of the Rat Pack and seeing the first movie) Wont give away how they did but Just Briliant! Clooney & Pitt are great together. The rest of the "All-Star" cast is equally well played. Over all a VERY ENJOYABLE movie. Worth every second. Keeps you visually and mentally entertained. A must for any True movie goer. Every time this movie hits HBO I know what im doing for the next 2 hrs. If you havent seen this movie, DO SO! Also I recomend watching the Original, its in Black & White, yes they used to make movies this way... and it is equally entertaining.

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Teen, 14 years old
March 28, 2011
 
i love this movie! however, the word f--k is said about twice and there is other strong language.

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This review was written by Nell Minow
Studio:Warner Bros.
Director:Steven Soderbergh
Cast:Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Matt Damon
Genre:Action/Adventure
Run time:116 minutes
Theatrical release date:December 7, 2001
DVD release date:May 7, 2002
MPAA rating:PG-13
MPAA explanation:some language and sexual content

This review was written by Nell Minow
 

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ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
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