Gorgeous George and the rest of the gang are back for one last pay day (on and off screen) in the closing chapter of Steven Soderbergh's Ocean's trilogy.
When Reuben (Gould) is double crossed and hospitalised by ruthless casino owner Willy Bank (Pacino), the boys devise a devilishly complicate scheme involving fake moustaches, Mexican labour disputes and an earthquake in the middle of Las Vegas to take revenge.
But to do this Danny must also place his trust in arch enemy Terry Benedict (Garcia), a risky proposition considering the crew stole over $160 million from him in episode one.
They say:
Empire: "You can beat the house and you can break the bank, but sequels always get long odds on defeating the law of diminishing returns, yet Ocean's Thirteen just about pulls it off."
Total Film: "An under used Pacino and a lack of drama make this feel like an Armani suit from last season: expensive, out of date and no longer cool."
Channel 4 Films: "Returning to Las Vegas but losing its winning streak, Ocean's Thirteen lets Soderbergh and the boys take a final bow while proving it is possible to have too much of a good thing."
We say:
OK, let's cut to the chase. The two questions everyone will ask are "Is it as good as the first one?" and "Surely it's better than the smug, self indulgent sequel?" to which we say no, and yes.
Bogged down by non stop exposition for the first half hour, 13 finally hits its straps at the mid way point and ultimately provides a satisfying, if sentimental, finale for our loveable heroes.
New writers Brian Koppelman and David Levien (Rounders and Runaway Jury) fail to recreate the witty repartee of Ted Griffin's original script, but there are a few decent throwaway lines for Clooney and Pitt and a cameo from Oprah Winfrey that steals the show.
As you would expect, Soderbergh shows some nice directorial touches - watch out for a multi perspective casino tracking sequence - and the glossy production values are truly sumptuous. However, he fails to intertwine the various plot strands as capably as he has done in the past, leaving Izzard, Qin and Bernie Mac with virtually nothing to do other than count their money. Both Julia Roberts and Catherine Zeta Jones cashed in their chips after episode two.
The decision to move the action back to Las Vegas after their European sojourn is a relief, although the revenge plot is thoroughly unconvincing and Al Pacino (check out the fake tan) looks hopelessly inadequate as a ruthless casino owner - probably due to the writing more than anything - when compared to Garcia's brilliant turn in Eleven.
While Clooney and co will no doubt hit the box office jackpot once again, the overriding sense of style over substance will leave some viewers feeling that Willy Bank isn't the only person being conned here.
Extras:
As lame as this franchise is getting. The history of Las Vegas featurette feels like a promo for the local tourist board. The walking tour of the sets and deleted scenes don't add much either. This from such a stellar cast and director? Shame.
RELEASED
Out now
CAST
George Clooney
Brad Pitt
Matt Damon
Al Pacino
Ellen Barkin
Andy Garcia
Don Cheadle
Scott Cann
Casey Affleck
Carl Reiner
Elliot Gould
Shaobo Qin
DIRECTOR
Steven Soderbergh
POSTED...
Wed 6 Jun 2007 at 6:20am
