Ok, I know Vincent Cassel in not one of the big names you know that are in the film; everybody has those shots. Besides, he is the nemesis!

I finally was able to see Steven Soderbergh's Ocean's Twelve. Since this review is a little late, I'm sure most now know that the film has had some pretty mixed reviews. According to Rotten Tomatoes, of the 129 registered reviews, only 77 said the film was good. I hate to break it to you, but I'm a little mixed on this film as well.

Over-the-Top in Ocean's Twelve

First off, in Ocean's Twelve, it seemed that Soderbergh felt that he had to take everything from the first film, Ocean's Eleven, and just push it over the top. One of the over-the-top moments [SPOILER ALERT], is when Julia Roberts plays as herself in the film. In an attempt to help her husband, Danny Ocean, Tess Ocean [played by Julia Roberts] must pretend to be... well... Julia Roberts. The film then makes about a fifteen minute gag about her role, a gag that was about ten minutes too long.

Another fact that bothered me greatly was the lack of details. Remember all the planning and details mentioned in the first Ocean's film? Ocean's Twelve, on the other hand, shows the team briefly mention what they are doing and then quickly cuts to them doing it; with barely any explanation. You have to watch close to really get a fix on what they are trying to do. Also, Ocean's Eleven purposely leaves out a few details till the end of the film to help serve up a nice surprise for the viewers. Again, Ocean's Twelve goes over the top.

Instead of leaving out little details, Ocean's Twelve leaves out entire scenes and heists. Of course you are going to surprise your viewers when you don't even give them the slightest hint of what is going on. It is like me taking the key scene out of a movie, cutting to some scenes that are not really important for the plot, and then cutting back to the key scene at the end and saying 'tricked you!'. It shouldn't have to be that way.

What to Like

One of the best 'hot shots' from the film is the view of Zeta Jones when she has long hair. Hot hot!

First off, the whole team is back. With this much talent, it is hard not to have a descent movie. I also enjoyed [again] the antics between the brothers played by Casey Affleck and Scott Caan. Matt Damon was also more involved as he attempted to be a larger player amongst the eleven.

The new location setting was also refreshing, and the addition of Vincent Cassel as François Toulour was also a nice change. I'm not sure about his dance number through the laser beams though [that scene should go either way with viewers]. Some will see this scene as silly, while others may think it is pretty cool. If you have never seen Vincent Cassel, get your butt up and go to your local video store to rent Brotherhood of the Wolf [Pacte des loups, Le], an action French film about an unknown beast; damn cool movie.

Besides this, Ocean's Twelve uses the same formula as Ocean's Eleven, and for me to really say anything about the film, may already be giving too much away [hell, the film doesn't tell you what is going on till the end]. If you thought Ocean's Eleven was really cool, you will find Ocean's Twelve to be pretty cool; see the difference here? The only change that may have added some additional coolness to the film is the use of the text that counts down the days remaining for our cat burglars.

Final Judgment: I really don't know what to say about this film. Ocean's Eleven found something cool and rode on it. Ocean's Twelve, on the other hand, knew it was cool and tried to force it. In an over-the-top attempt to out due its predecessor, the movie leaves you completely in the dark for most of the film. The end result is not a surprise ending necessarily, but a strange one.
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