Ocean’s Thirteen
Studio: Warner Bros.
Rated: PG-13
Cast: George Clooney, Brad Pitt
Director: Steven Soderbergh
WorkNameSort: Ocean’s Thirteen
Our Rating: 3.50
Here’s what Ocean’s Thirteen has going for it: It’s better than Ocean’s Twelve (which was a convoluted mess of absurdities glued together by charisma and the power of Steve Soderbergh’s direction). This time around, the gang ‘ led by Danny Ocean (George Clooney) and Rusty Ryan (Brad Pitt) ‘ are out for vengeance against casino owner Willie Bank (Al Pacino) for screwing over one of their own. Their goal is not to rob Bank, but to break his casino by rigging it so that its clientele walks home with $500,000,000 and Bank will be voted out of control of his own casino. It’s a lot simpler than it sounds, and the action starts with the opening scene so there’s never a chance for it to slow down. However, here’s what Ocean’s Thirteen doesn’t have going for it: an eclectic cast of close friends who seem to be having nothing but fun while making the movie. The performances in the third installment feel so familiar and nonchalant that they lack any energy whatsoever, in turn sapping most of the spontaneity and fun that drove the first two chapters.
This article appears in Jun 6-12, 2007.