Starring Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Matt Damon and every guy they know; Written by Brian Koppelman and David Levien; Directed by Steven Soderbergh; Rated PG-13 [for brief sensuality]
Okay, the lazy gambling reference above will be the only gambling reference in this review of a movie about gambling. We promise not to use the phrase “deck stacked against it” to indicate this second sequel’s odds of being better than Ocean’s Twelve, nor will we insult you by suggesting that it “plays its hand” in any manner, good or bad. We will not describe it as “aces” or “a bust” — even if it is either — and under no circumstances will we attempt to sneak by “cashing in,” “snake eyes” or “should be royally flushed,” partly because none of these apply, but mostly because we do not want to be placed on a watch list by the federal agency that monitors the security of the English language, the Department of Homeland Punnery Defense. That said…
“Third time’s the charm,” so goes the cliché, except when you’re talking Hollywood third movies — or “threequels.” The rule for them is “third time most often stinks, but is a necessary stop on the road to the fourth movie, which we will make if Ebert’s Law of Diminishing Box Office Returns allows it financially.” Of course, there are exceptions to most rules, and thankfully, this third Ocean’s movie is one, too, as it’s actually a lot of fun.
Two cuts above 2004’s bloated and horribly indulgent Ocean’s Twelve, this one is more like 2001’s Ocean’s Eleven (a remake of the 1960 Rat Pack quasi-classic). Returning director Steven Soderbergh’s line-up of bankable faces including George Clooney, Matt Damon! and Brad Pitt is back and charming as ever, with Al Pacino in the mix this time around as the powerful mark whom con man Danny Ocean (Clooney) and his crew plan to vengefully take for nearly a billion dollars. Pacino plays a casino owner who screws Ocean mentor Reuben Tishkoff (Elliott Gould), the shock giving him a cardiac infarction. As usual, the diminutive Oscar winner, here with what appears to be limited motion in his face, chews the scenery, but what magnificent scenery it is. The casino that Warner Brothers built for the movie is just incredible, giving the wisecracking crew a completely cool and comfortable place to ply. They are given an exceptional screenplay to riff on by partners Brian Koppelman and David Levien (Walking Tall), and they all indulge in its hilarious, non-stop one-upmanship. It is really easy to see that these guys had a great time making this movie, and audiences burned on threequels like Spider-Man 3: Spidey Fights A Giant Pile Of Sand For Nearly Three Hours and Pirates of the Caribbean: Aargh! My Legs Are Completely Asleep! will hit the jackpot break the bank really dig watching Clooney and company bring down the house (while bringing down the house).•••
