Ocean's Thirteen

There are some films where you can just tell that the cast and crew were miserable. Sometimes tension on the set produces greatness (such as that between Werner Herzog and Klaus Kinski in Fitzcarraldo or Aguirre, Wrath of God); more often, however, personality conflicts and production difficulties translate into the film itself.

There is no trace of such cinematic strife in Ocean’s Thirteen, which, like Ocean’s Twelve and Ocean’s Eleven, was made by a group of superstar filmmaker and actor friends including George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Don Cheadle, Bernie Mac, Matt Damon, Elliott Gould, and director Stephen Soderberg. There’s an easy comraderie among these likable stars, but the familiarity is both a blessing and a curse.

On the good side, it’s fun to revisit Danny Ocean (Clooney) and his gang as they pull off yet another ridiculously convoluted caper, this time against wily, ego-driven casino magnate Willy Bank (Al Pacino), who screwed Danny’s beloved friend and benefector Reuben (Elliott Gould in full caricature mode) out of his share of a new Las Vegas casino. Danny assembles his team in a revenge plot to ruin Banks and restore Reuben’s health, spirit, and finances, using everything from a fake earthquake to silly disguises to high tech, blinking gadgets to a giant drill that excavated the Chunnel.

On the bad side, Ocean’s Thirteen relies a little too much on its star power. It’s nice to see the gang having fun, but a good film requires far more than just actors having a good time. The script is both formulaic and a little confusing as one con after another tumbles forth

on the screen, some with little connection to the others. It’s sort of a dizzying free-for-all of ludicrous gags and barely-related capers, which gives the impression that the screenwriters threw in everything but the kitchen sink. There are some funny subplots, including one in which Ocean and friends ruin a hotel reviewer’s experience, ensuring a rating of significantly fewer than the coveted five diamonds.

Ocean’s Thirteen is of course shot with style to spare, decked out in

the alternately garish and moody hues of the Strip. There are better films in theaters now, but overall, the film is worth a look, and fans of Danny Ocean won’t be disappointed.