Ocean’s Twelve
Director: Steven Soderbergh
With: George Clooney, Brad Pitt
Runtime: 125 min
In theory, Ocean’s Twelve has all the makings of a great film: A star-studded cast, a beautiful setting and a fantastic original behind it, yet in practice it simply disappoints. The performance is essentially arrogant and lazy, with an equally effortless plot to match.
We begin three years on from the legendary Vegas robbery of the sinister Terry Benedict. After being re-introduced to the various members of Ocean’s Eleven, we learn that they have all lavishly spent their share of the cash without anything worthwhile to show for it. Unfortunately for the wasteful criminals, Mr. Benedict has now decided that he wants his money back, with interest. Surely then, these masters of crime and super smooth hot-shots must be able to find a way to avoid Benedict’s demands? Maybe this is an opportunity to trick him again and somehow make profit for themselves once more? What have they got up their sleeves this time? Nothing. Instead, they nonchalantly head to Europe with simple obedience and seek to pay back the very money that they so brilliantly stole in the first place.
Yet, for all the faults in the uninspiring and simple plot, you could forgive yourself for being mildly entertained by Ocean’s Twelve. Ok, so the plot is a lame, watered down version of the original but the cast is inexplicably attractive, the level of coolness in the stunts they pull is undoubtedly entertaining and Matt Damon’s awkward and quirky character provides a few precious moments of comedy. Catherine Zeta Jones’ performance is also surprisingly enjoyable and her on-going love and crime interest with Rusty (Brad Pitt) is well incorporated into the gang’s impossible attempts at thievery in order to pay the expectant Terry Benedict.
The gang’s initial plans to steal from a wealthy and anti-social disabled man in Amsterdam are thwarted by the ‘Night Fox’, a crafty French thief who seeks to compete with their thieving tactics and achievements to gain the title of ‘The Best’. Outfoxed by the Frenchman on this occasion, Ocean’s men make the journey across Europe to Rome where a beautiful Fabergé egg holds the key to their escape. Night Fox then proposes a way of discovering who the superior thief is, offering to pay off all of Ocean and co’s debts if they manage to beat him to the theft of the highly guarded egg.
Yet, unfortunately not even the introduction of a cocky French thief is enough to save a film we so desperately wanted to succeed. The stunts, though amusing, are often ridiculously contrived and the script is laden with smug in-jokes. For such a star-studded line-up this film should have continued in the same vein as Ocean’s Eleven, yet all that is produced is a film which despite being well shot, offers nothing more than an opportunity for a bunch of over-paid actors to enjoy themselves in the most beautiful cities of Europe. If you fancy Brad Pitt or George Clooney– see this film, if you fancy seeing them fulfil their acting potential in a plot far superior then buy Ocean’s Eleven instead.
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