ALLAN HUNTER at the Movies

THE HOT news about ‘Ocean’s 13’ is that it marks a big improvement on ‘Ocean’s Twelve’. The latter film was a self-indulgent romp with the all-star cast drifting around Europe in search of a half decent story.

‘Ocean’s 13’ restores the cool characters to their rightful home among the neon lights of Las Vegas. The revenge plot seems very tired by now, but the film is extremely polished and there is still a good deal of entertainment to be found in watching George Clooney and his criminal cohorts pulling off another impossible heist.

The stakes are personal this time as Reuben (Elliott Gould) falls foul of ruthless casino owner Willy Bank (Al Pacino), and suffers a serious heart attack. Danny Ocean (Clooney) and the gang assemble to maintain a bedside vigil and to plot Bank’s comeuppance.

This takes the form of an elaborate plan to bankrupt him on the opening night of his glitzy new hotel casino at the same time as scuppering his chances of winning a coveted Five Diamond Award and stealing $250 million worth of diamonds held in his penthouse stronghold.

‘Ocean’s 13’ is a fairly democratic affair, which means that the whole team have their individual plotlines and screen time. That means there’s a lot less of George Clooney and Brad Pitt, although their warm, laidback chemistry is one of the film’s highlights.

Julia Roberts is sorely missed, but Ellen Barkin provides additional glamour as Bank’s right-hand woman, and there are some genuinely funny moments from David Paymer as the Five Diamond inspector who suffers through the hotel stay from hell.

Style easily eclipses the substance of ‘Ocean’s 13’, but it’s a genial, undemanding affair that proves to be an enjoyable divertissement.

Nationwide release

Director: Steven Soderbergh
Stars: George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Ellen Barkin, Al Pacino, Vincent Cassel, Eddie Izzard
Screenwriters: Brian Koppelman, David Levien
Certificate: 12A
Running time: 122 mins
Country: USA
Year: 2007

© Allan Hunter, 2007