Ocean's Thirteen

Ocean's 13 is a lot better than 12.

Ocean's 13 is a lot better than 12. The only reason 12 isn't too good of a movie is because the plot's confusing. It's hard to follow. 12 is hard to follow because in 11, they showed you the plan, then they showed the execution of the plan. In 12, they show you the execution of the plan before they show the plan itself. Not only that, but the plan they show the execution of is a fake one. You have to watch it more than once to fully understand it. I've done this, and now I've realized it's actually a pretty good movie.

Anyway, 13 gets back on track by showing the plan as the movie's going along. This makes it much easier to follow. The first half of the movie is kind of slow and a little boring, but the 2nd half makes it all worth it. Basically, the plot of the movie is that Reuben is partnered with Willie Bank to open a new casino. Bank double-crosses him and takes it all for himself. Danny and crew get revenge on Bank by first reversing the theory that the house always wins. In order to do this, they rig a bunch of the major games in their favor. Then they steal Bank's 5 diamond awards for the final blow. The way they show the "house losing" is awesome. It's kind of like one of those songs that builds up to a cool ending. I'm surprised that this movie is getting such mediocre reviews because it's pretty good. Also, Tess and Isabel are not in this one. Danny explains why in the beginning of the movie: "It's not their fight." I would highly recommend this to anyone regardless of what the other reviews say. June 30, 2008

The trilogy concludes on a high note.

Well, KIND of a high note.
It's better than part two, but not by much.
My fascination with this franchise is pretty much over.
It was great seeing all those big names onscreen at once.
But the stories of part two and three just don't come close to the first one.
It's ok and worth a rental, just don't expect to love it the way you loved the first one.
June 24, 2008

LOW TIDE FOR OCEAN

Look, I know these movies are stupid vanity projects, but I really enjoyed Oceans 11 and 12, the guys seemed to be having fun and it was light(and I do mean light)entertainment, but this one is just lazy and nobody seems to be having the least amount of fun, the least of which is the audience. I mean Pitt keeps looking at his watch as if to say, shouldnt I be picking up Angela's teddy from the dry cleaner? Really, all of the actors in this film should be ashamed to cash their hefty checks, this is totally mailed in. Pacino is totally wasted and the plot, as if their ever really is one in these stupid movies, is totally convoluted, I mean what the f is Eddie Lizzard even talking about, you shouldnt need a degree in macro physics to figure out a movie plot. I dont recommend this movie in the least, frankly id like the two hours of my life back wasted on this inane tripe. June 16, 2008

Great...Just like the rest

Like all the movies in this series, this one is funny and whitty. Not a big Brad Pitt fan, but his character in this is fantastic. George is always good, and Matt Damon having an expanded role was fun to watch. I love Al filling in for Julia as afar as paychecks go, and you won't miss her at all. June 12, 2008

4.5 stars

In the third in this series, Reuben (Elliott Gould) has been scammed out of what he expected to be his retirement fortune by Willie Bank (Al Pacino). As a result, Reuben has a heart attack and ends up bedridden and ill, too depressed to fight back.

So Ocean (George Clooney) and pals decide to get back at Bank in revenge, and to perk Reuben up.

Bank is opening a new casino, and really, really wants the Five Diamonds Award. He's even got the diamonds on display. Ocean's plan isn't to steal from the casino this time, so much as it is to make sure that the casino loses money. A lot of money. And to ensure that he doesn't get the Five Diamonds Award.

There's a lot of high-tech scheming and running around to rig all the games, including a trip to a Mexican factory that makes dice that launches a hilarious subplot, but eventually they run into a snag and have to bring in Terry Benedict (Andy Garcia). The price for Benedict's help? The diamonds. Which they've already concluded they can't steal.

So it's impossible--business as usual for this crew.

It's a very fast-moving film, and I just gave up on trying to catch everything. I'll watch it again and catch more of it. I did miss Julia Roberts's character from the first two movies. Ellen Barkin didn't really fill the same niche.

The little things really made the movie for me--the sentimental letters sent to Reuben, the running joke through the film of Danny and Rusty watching Oprah, and the myriad ways they torment the poor guy who's judging the casino for the Five Diamond Award.

And then there's the ending. It's full of poetic justice, and made me leave the theater with a huge grin on my face. June 9, 2008

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