REEL CRITICS -- Joan Andre

Steven Soderbergh has managed to direct another triumph and, even

though you expect to see a remake, there is basically no comparison to

the original “Ocean’s Eleven” with the Rat Pack, which was star-driven,

and this release, which is plot-driven. I went knowing I would see all

this talent vying with each other for top of the heap, but not so. This

was a team effort as surely as the heist they planned to pull off was a

team effort. It was an immensely convoluted plot based on timing, sleight

of hand and the right man for each job.

The movie does a nice job of bringing the great heist into the 21st

century. It deals with the super electronic wizardry and security and

detection devices Las Vegas casinos now have. It would be virtually

impossible to rob a casino without the technical knowledge of experts on

any number of subjects. And if you do cover all the technical areas, you

still would need the chicanery and sleight of hand to allow the high-tech

devices to operate. This scenario covered all of these aspects.

“Ocean’s Eleven” refers to Danny Ocean (George Clooney), a recently

paroled natural-born leader who must recruit 11 experts to execute this

heist. His right-hand man is Rusty (Brad Pitt), who is eager to stop

teaching beginners how to play poker. There are some hugely laughable

scenes on this subject.

Matt Damon’s character, Linus, needs to be a part of something big for

his self-esteem; Don Cheadle plays Basher Tarr, the explosives expert;

Reuben Tishkoff is played by a flashy and flamboyant Elliott Gould. He is

the money man and previous victim of their target, Terry Benedict (Andy

Garcia), who is the owner of the casinos. Garcia is his usual aloof self

and portrays self-confidence and arrogance to the hilt.

Also, among this elitist group is Saul Bloom (Carl Reiner) in a

crucial role. Scott Caan and Casey Affleck play twin brothers Turk and

Virgil Malloy, respectively, as transportation experts. Then there is Yen

(Shaobo Qin), acrobat and contortionist, making his film debut. Frank

Catton plays Bernie Mac, a duplicitous card dealer and Ocean’s first

recruit.

Finally, Julia Roberts is Tess Ocean, Danny’s ex-wife and current

girlfriend of Benedict.

I was amused to see the stars milling around in the background. There

is a great deal of camaraderie in this endeavor, and it shows. It must be

very tricky making a movie without suggesting to the audience that you

are having more fun making the movie than they are watching it.

* JOAN ANDRE, “over 65,” is Newport Beach resident who does a lot of

volunteer work.