Sunday, December 12, 2004

OCEAN’S TWELVE




Crime thriller

PRINCIPAL CAST MEMBERS
Brad Pitt: ever-snacking smart-talking Rusty Ryan
Catherine Zeta-Jones: Rusty’s girlfriend Isabel Lahiri, a policewoman
Andy Garcia: Terry Benedict, the victim of the gang’s $160 million heist three years ago
George Clooney: Danny Ocean, charming con-artist and thief
Julia Roberts: Danny's wife Tess
Matt Damon: Linus Caldwell, a bumbling wannabe crook
Elliott Gould: Reuben Tishkoff, an old-school Las Vegas entrepreneur
Carl Reiner: Saul Bloom, a retired con man
Vincent Cassel: François Toulour, aka “Night Fox”, the world’s most elusive jewel thief

REVIEW
The problems with sequels are twofold: they tend to suffer from déja vu (characters, plot etc) and by their very nature, lack originality. Consequently more often than not, the original is better. Such is the case with this one.

In addition, the story is muddled and convoluted. Adding to the confusion are the rapid-fire explanations of their planned heists. One good thing though: the happy-go-lucky tone of the original is much in evidence.

CLASSIFICATION
for language.

FOR NITPICKERS ONLY
According to Danny, the theft of four paintings included one called The Blue Dancer by Degas. Dancers were often the subjects of his paintings, but none was given that title.

Walking towards her father, Isabel is carrying a handbag in her left hand. She then wraps her arms around him but clearly there is nothing in her hands. Her handbag has disappeared.

P.S.
The title of the movie reflects the addition of Tess to Oceans' original gang of eleven thieves.

One bonus is getting a travelogue of Europe: we get to see Amsterdam, Paris, Rome and Lake Como (one of his residences when Clooney is not making movies).

No comments: