Review of Ocean's Eleven (2001) by Alex R — 30 Jan 2018

The 2001 star-studded "Ocean's Eleven" features blockbuster names on a grandiose Las-Vegas scene. The heist genre has great potential and often a tendency to be predictable and cliche but Steven Soderbergh really delivers. The characters introduction left me confused initially. What does this gymnast have anything to do with breaking into one of the most secure vaults in existence? Why am I watching brothers race a truck beside a remote control car? These questions weren't answered until much later in the film but the payoff for patience was huge. The way Soderbergh brought the characters together so fluidly impressed me. Fast pace, split second timing and cleverly worded dialogue kept me enticed before everything came together to make sense.

I've never been fond of the love stories in the majority of films, I find them corny and over used. Initially I was disappointed to find out that Ocean's Eleven like most other films incorporated a "love story" into the mix. But Clooney kept his cool demeanor and Soderbergh puts the spotlight on his charm really playing to his strengths. The triangle in which romance was structured (Clooney, Roberts, and Garcia) added to the film further encouraging me to root for the team executing the heist even though they're supposed to be the "bad guys." I think the viewer is supposed to not like Terry, the owner of the casinos. He's the target. Arrogant, wealthy, seemingly untouchable, and he has the girl. It's implied a few different times that Ocean is not satisfied with her relationship with Terry. This is especially apparent when Terry rejects Beatrice's attempt to kiss him, because cameras were watching. Roberts responds by glaring at the floor as her body language reads disappointment. Roberts dissatisfaction foreshadows that Clooney will emerge victorious is winning her back. I didn't care for the ending in which Pitt and Clooney walk out to the car after Clooney exits jail to Roberts in the backseat of his car. I felt like the extravagant movie had a rushed ending that fell into the usual, protagonist wins the girl.

Brad Pitt does what Brad Pitt does in movies, eat. Matt Damons character is made to look almost like the younger brother to Pitt and Clooney. They don't allow him to do some of the dirty work like participate in the robbery in which they get the device that shuts down the power. Don Cheadle was exceptional and funny. "We're in Barney...rubble...trouble!" Stuck out as a clever scene in my head and sort of represents the word play throughout the film. Another scene, Roberts confronts Clooney and says "You're a thief and a liar" Clooney responds "I don't do that anymore" Roberts "Steal?" Clooney "Lie.".

The creative character development, the sleek and cool feel, the wit, and even the playlist all intertwined perfectly and left me very impressed. Soderbergh was a maestro with film. I don't watch a lot of movies but Ocean's Eleven is certainly one I did enjoy and have watched more than once I look forward to writing on this film in more depth and detail.