Ocean’s Trilogy review by Bobby Blakey
In 2001 director Steven Soderbergh set out to remake the 1960 film Oceans’ Eleven. Much like the original he brought together an all-star cast and with its success spawned two sequels and a spin-off. The films feature and all-star cast including George Clooney, Matt Damon, Andy Garcia, Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts. Casey Affleck, Scott Caan, Elliott Gould, Bernie Mac, Carl Reiner, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Andy Garcia, Don Cheadle, Eddie Jemison, Shaobo Qin, Ellen Barkin and Al Pacino.
Ocean’s 11 follows Danny Ocean, who likes taking chances. All he asks is that his handpicked squad of ten grifters and cons play the game like they have nothing to lose. If all goes right, the payoff will be a fat $150 million.
I love a good heist flick and this film offers it up to perfection. I have never seen the original so can’t compare it on that level, but this cast brings their A game to create a well-rounded flick with all the twists and turns you want in this kind of story. They keep it pretty simple without trying to make it overly complicated and it just works.
Everyone in the cast are great. They all get their moments to shine, but its
Cooney and Pitt leading the charge. Both bring a swagger to their roles that is a joy to watch with their banter and confidence in pulling off the job. I remember seeing it and hoping we could get some more heists from these guys and thankfully we did.
In the follow-up, Ocean’s 12 Danny Ocean and pals return to pull off another stunner of a plan. Exciting locations include Amsterdam, Paris and Rome. This entry brought more of what made the first film work and goes directly into keeping the same story play out. It is an interesting direction that uses the aftermath and Andy Garcia as the catalyst to go after them thus sending them on a new caper.
A lot of the film just seems like they are rehashing some elements, but still works for me. Anything to get these guys back out there was fine with me. The new addition of a rival thief helped to elevate to some fun new directions and keeps it from getting to stale in its formulaic aspect. I had a great time with this one as well that not only gave us the new heist, but also some further back story to some of the characters.
In the final film of the trilogy, Ocean’s 13, Danny Ocean rounds up the boys for the most dazzling heist yet, after casino owner Willy Bank double-crosses one of the eleven, Reuben Tishkoff.
I honestly thought that the third entry in this series just wouldn’t be able to deliver with bringing back some of the characters outside of the crew. To my surprise it got just the needed infusion it needed to carry the story. It uses one of their own to take on a new foe in a way that takes it back to that first film but with some fun new twists. Filled with strong cast, another great hesit and fun twists and turns this is a great wrap up to the trilogy, but still left me wanting more capers for this great crew.
The 4K transfer isn’t necessarily needed for these kinds of films, but they look great. I wouldn’t say it adds a whole lot to the finished films other than just the usual clarity, but it does offer up a reason to get the whole series together in one great collection that makes it worthy all on its own.
In addition to all three films in the series, this release offers up previously released bonus content including commentaries, deleted scenes, featurettes and more. All three films will be available separately in all-new collectible steelbooks as well as a Ocean’s Trilogy Collection all on 4K for the first time ever from Warner Bros Discovery Home Entertainment.