Ocean’s Thirteen
DVD Reviews | Nov 12th, 2007
Starring George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Al Pacino, Carl Reiner, Andy Garcia, Elliott Gould, Ellen Barkin, Casey Affleck, Don Cheadle, Scott Caan, Bernie Mac, Eddie Jemison, Shaobo Qin
Written By: Brian Koppelman, David Levien
Directed By: Steven Soderbergh
Studio: Warner Bros
Buy on Amazon.com link
If anything was learned from the previous two Ocean’s movies was the typical motto “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.” After a disappointing second film, comes the third outing and it returns to where the first film started, Las Vegas. Also, this time instead of the typical caper, they get revenge for one of their partners in crime. Adding some new faces to the films are Al Pacino and Ellen Barkin. Gone are Julia Roberts and Catherine Zeta-Jones from the film. Al Pacino plays Vegas Casino Owner Mogul, Willie Banks and he’s about to open his newest creation, and the boys are about to get even.
Reuben Tishkoff (Gould), part of the Ocean’s crew was gullible to believe Willie Banks would be a partner with him. Also, Reuben thought that his business with Banks wouldn’t end the same way it always does. After Banks deals with Reuben, the Ocean’s crew gets involved, especially when it hurts one of their own. All the boys are back in business but the girls are not, or as they say in the film “it’s not their fight.” One polite way of saying they aren’t in the film this time around. As most of the Ocean’s movies, its hard to follow exactly what Danny Ocean and co. plan to pull off. All you know, it’s going to take a lot of people, a lot of recon, lots of money, planning and hard work to make these cons go off without a hitch. Its fun when the films actually start falling in place and you can start piecing what the crew has been up to this whole time. The usual characters are at what they do the best. Matt Damon’s Linus character has really stepped up as the 3rd leader of the pack while the others still have their side assignments. Danny, Rusty and Linus lead the group in what is their most entertaining assignment yet, Bring down the Banks casino in one night. I’ll leave you all with what that is exactly when you watch the film, because what fun that would be to tell you the whole plot right here in this shoddy review.
What worked in the film was the motto ” If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” model like they should have followed with the 2nd film. You could look at this film as the 2nd film minus a few characters and story details. I think when the crew stays in Vegas, it makes it exciting because the idea that someone could disrupt Vegas is fun and hard to believe and this gang has not only done it once, but twice. The cast has wonderful chemistry and you just wish you were part of this Boys club and got to hang out with the Ocean’s crew. I also like the addition of Al Pacino as the evil casino mogul, Willie Banks. He plays a good villain and is a nice change of pace for the Ocean’s movie. Nothing that I can think of didn’t work for me. Maybe a little better understanding of what the plan for the big finale was initially.
Not much in terms of extras on this disc. You think being the possible end of the franchise that they would put out an ultimate edition of the box set trilogy, and add just entire disc of extras over the three movies. I know I would enjoy that. On this disc you only get some additional scenes, and a design featurette, and Producer Jerry Wintraub gives a tour of the Casino used in the film.
I think if the Ocean’s movies are done, this is a good send off. The film is fun, exciting and what you have come to expect from this strong cast. Ocean’s 13 is a return to form and I think is much better than the 2nd film. The first film will always be my favorite.
Features:
-Additional Scenes
-Vegas: An Opulent Illusion – Las Vegas’ Influential Design Sense
-Jerry Weintraub Walk and Talk: The Producer Takes Us on a Casino Tour
Audio:
-ENGLISH: Dolby Digital 5.1 CC
-ENGLISH: Dolby Digital Stereo CC
-SPANISH: Dolby Digital 5.1
-FRENCH: Dolby Digital 5.1
Video:
-Widescreen 2.40:1 Color (Anamorphic)
Subtitles:
English, Spanish, French
Favorite Scenes: The Malloy Bros in Mexico, Messing with the hotel critic, Grand Opening
Rating: PG-13
Running Time: 122 minutes
Extras Rating:
Overall Rating: