Pop Culture Buzz

GRADE: B-

When the first “Ocean’s” movie debuted in 2001 it crackled with wit and charmed the socks off of the movie viewing public with it’s sleek look and star packed roster. It was a fun “popcorn” flick with no real value other than to entertain people. This was not Oscar caliber work in other words.

In 2004 “Ocean’s 12″ was released and it was a mild hit but it wasn’t the super hit that the previous film was. I personally hated that film, it was on my list as one of the worst films of the year. In my opinion it was a pathetic narcissistic journey into Hollywood biggest ego’s.

The gimmick of having multiple top billed actor’s in “13″ isn’t as obnoxious as it was in “Ocean’s 12″. The scenes with Clooney, Pitt and Damon don’t feel as if we are listening in on an inside joke like it has in the past. This movie has an even flow with it’s actor’s that “Ocean’s 12″ didn’t have. That movie was all over the map.

Although the scene with Pitt and Clooney in the airport towards then end does indulge in that snotty insider Hollywood humor for a moment. Those moments are the kind that irritate me. I get it, you’re all hot Hollywood big wigs and you are friends in real life, ha ha. I should give “Ocean’s 13″ it’s due, it comes off a lot less snarky then it’s predecessor.

“Ocean’s 13″ has a great plot and it has a lot more humor than the last two “Ocean’s” movies I think. At it’s core this is a revenge film, then it’s a heist caper and then a comedy. I appreciate all of the details that Director Steven Soderbergh incorporates into his scenes. Soderbergh is a master of the tight close up and panning huge crowd scenes within the casino. At the very least I learned a lot about the gaming industry and casinos that I had not known before by watching this film.

Al Pacino does a fantastic job as a new casino owner and he is a welcome addition to the already over crowded cast. I am really glad Julia Roberts or Katherine Zeta-Jones were not in this film, instead we get the delightful “cougar” Ellen Barkin. Barkin’s moments in this movie give “13′ that true comedic feel, especially her scenes with the hilarious Matt Damon.

Damon is on a streak lately, his roles always seem to highlight his talent’s. Even if I don’t agree with People Magazine’s pick of Damon as the Sexiest man alive, he shines in this movie a lot more than Pitt or Clooney do. Pitt seems to have taken a back seat in this film, his screen time is much smaller than the last two films.

Even though I liked this movie I am getting sick of the “Ocean” movies in general. I don’t doubt these films have a true fan following but I think it is time to retire these characters and all of the insider jokes that come with them. They were cute at the time, but I am guessing that they won’t stand up to the test of time.

In time people will look back at the “Ocean” movies as the vanity pieces they truly are. These movies are a prime example of when Hollywood has too much money to spend, but they are harmless and fun at times. Let’s just hope that this is the last movie in the “Ocean” series, this franchise is going nowhere fast and it needs to end while it’s still on top.