Ocean's Eleven

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.