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Mathew Scott

Starring: George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Julia Roberts

Director: Steven Soderbergh

Category: IIB

The similarities between director Steven Soderbergh's 're-imaging' of Ocean's Eleven and the 1960s Rat-Pack vehicle end with the title and the Las Vegas setting. This is a good thing, for while the Frank Sinatra-led version was a self-conscious ego trip for the lead and his mates, this time round the star-studded line-up have left their vanity with the valet.

Leading the way is George Clooney as Danny Ocean. He's just been let out of prison and he conspires with long-time friend Dusty (Brad Pitt) to snatch US$150 million (HK$1.17 billion) from a vault which holds the cash for three of Vegas' biggest and brightest casinos.

And in the true tradition of heist films, the pair go about recruiting a wild array of characters to help them with their plan. There's everything there from a pickpocket (Matt Damon) to an acrobat (Shaobo Qin).

Soderbergh, stylish to the extreme, delights in unravelling Ocean's complex plan for the audience and building the tension as the motley crew try to bring the whole thing together. Vegas, as always, provides a stunning backdrop that's all flesh and fantasy and the cast never fall over themselves in an effort to hog the limelight.

The love-hate relationship between Danny and his ex-wife Tess (Julia Roberts) is integral to the plot but their scenes together are the only time the pace slackens. Other from that, Soderbergh keeps things rolling along throughout. Clooney and co are obviously delighted by the chance to play off each other and they all fit their characters rather fashionably - with the exception of Don Cheadle as the dodgy British geezer with a decidedly dodgy London accent. It bites.

Wisely, Soderbergh decided early on to opt for light entertainment - and this is souffle-light. But it's also a whole lot of fun. And while the film is obviously no stretch for the director's considerable talents, he's able to stamp his class all over it.

Ocean's Eleven is screening at UA cinemas, the Broadway circuit, GV cinemas, AMC Festival Walk and CityPlaza.



Ocean's Eleven