Frank's film tip: Ocean's Eleven is a divine gamble in Steven Soderbergh's highly-charged remake of the 1960 crime caper
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As one might believe, it really wasn't such a gutsy call in remaking the 1960 crime caper "Ocean's 11", the Rat Pack vanity piece headed up by head hipster Frank Sinatra some forty years ago. Whereas Sinatra and company pranced around in a mediocre vehicle meant to highlight their playful insignificance, director Steven Soderbergh fortifies his remake of this dynamic heist gem with stylish fortitude. The Oscar-winning Soderbergh ("Traffic"), known primary for his unique ability to helm slick and intense ensemble pieces, rolls the dice accordingly by directing this crafty, smooth suspense flick that radiates a c***y confidence within its all-star cast. In fact, the similarity between the Ocean's 11 of yesteryear and this contemporary remake are the star-studded cast of Hollywood's current power elite fronted by the likes of "It" pretty boy players George Clooney and Brad Pitt. Once again, Soderbergh and his "Out of Sight" leading man Clooney tweak the perfunctory ribaldry of the original film by concocting a glitzy throbbing piece of entertainment worth your short cinematic attention span. Alas, this is one remake that runs circles around its "legendary" predecessor with effortless ease.

As some folks may recall the storyline, Frank Sinatra and his Rat Pack cohorts were engaged in a plan where they could experience the big payoff by knocking over five Las Vegas-area casinos in the unrealistic time it takes your Aunt Mildred to win at blackjack. Well, in this updated version of the flimflam scheme where this tricky gamble is worth the risk, dapper ex con Danny Ocean (George Clooney) and his cunning crew aim for the same goals?only their focus is on three big Las Vegas casinos. Ocean, an elegant mastermind misfit, had just been released from a New Jersey lock-up facility. Still, this doesn't stop him from hatching an ambitious plan to confiscate the precious loot from the fat cat casinos loaded with impressive stashes unimaginable. Danny quickly reunites with his right-hand man Rusty Ryan (Brad Pitt) and sets out to recruit a cast of associates to stage a daring coup involving the transporting of money to the trio of casinos being focused upon.

The agenda to abscond with the riches doesn't go without personal consequences for Danny. He indirectly becomes entangled in the web of his sour-minded ex-wife Tess (Julia Roberts, Soderbergh's Oscar-winning leading lady from "Erin Brockovich"). Tess is romantically involved with Danny's nemesis Terry Benedict (Andy Garcia), a debonair businessman who happens to own the incredibly expansive casinos that Danny Ocean and his henchmen want to make a score on. Danny, it appears, still holds a torch for his former soulmate and the thought of the suave mogul Benedict coveting Ocean's ex-honey bunny adds to the determination of him robbing the wily moneymaking entrepreneur of his monetary AND personal/emotional wealth. But first thing's first?Ocean must concentrate on nabbing that take of $150 million as it is up for some serious grabs. The stakes are too high and this clever motley crew must be precise in their elaborate venture.

The conglomeration of Ocean's dubious "eleven" participants is a collection of skillful and deceptive characters that bring their form of expertise to the table. The eclectic bunch includes a techno-know-it-all (Eddie Jemison), sibling getaway drivers/mechanics (Casey Affleck and Scott Caan), an explosives guru (Don Cheadle), an unassuming pickpocket (Matt Damon), a Chinese acrobat (Shaobo Qin), an inside contact and card dealer (Bernie Mac), a resourceful seasoned vet (Carl Reiner), and financer Reuben Tishkoff (Elliott Gould).

Ocean's 11 is a pertinent film that does pack a wallop to its free-form frenzy. Screenwriter Ted Griffin does generate a jazzy, lively script that boasts snappy dialogue along with an off-the-wall swagger of the film's tone. Although there's a point to be made about the lack of depth regarding the abundance of characterizations being paraded before us, we become more engaged in the visual vitality of this flashy suspense piece. If anything, Soderbergh sprinkles dashes of fun-filled duplicity into a picture that could have come off as an empty-headed and elaborate excuse to house bloated egos in a vanity project. Instead, Soderbergh's efforts here are essentially polished because he knows how to manipulate a movie that juggles an immense cast with penetrating material. Ocean's 11 doesn't hold a candle to some of Soderbergh's previous intriguing gems such as Out of Sight and Traffic, but it's gleefully impish enough to pose as solid, dashing popcorn fare. The story's set up regarding the dare devilish heist is indeed involving and the techno-babble is plausible and palatable for one to get caught up in the pulse of the proceedings.

Clooney brings a charming distinction to the role as the smooth rogue Danny Ocean. When teamed in key scenes with fellow box office heartthrob Pitt, the duo definitely bring sizzle to their screen presence. Roberts doesn't bring much to the forefront as the embittered Tess in what amounts to be the Angie Dickinson-inspired role from the 1960 original. Her involvement feels more like filler in this film although it's understandable that the extremely popular actress should mingle with the big boys in this highly touted flick. Surprisingly effective are the colorful performances from veteran actors Carl Reiner and especially Elliott Gould as the driven rival of Garcia's Benedict whom helped cripple his treasured businesses. The characters do lack the self-involved naughtiness that Sinatra and his band of raucous Rat Packers exuded with effluent delirium. If anything, the 1960 movie rode its coattails on its narcissistic vibes. The Rat Packers used their film as a mere playground for reinforcing their glorified personalities; Soderbergh's venture exhibits personality despite its hot shot protagonsists.

Ocean's 11 (2001) may not necessarily paint a picture of the groovy decadence Las Vegas once enjoyed by the likes of Frank, Dino, Sammy, Peter, Joey and their hangers-on in the Camelot heyday of showbiz. It does, however, remind us that conjuring up a mischievous charmer that insists on telling a vibrant story as its sole emphasis is indeed a welcomed concept, especially in today's mainstream self-absorbed Hollywood. Suffice to say, Ocean's 11 is a safe bet on which you can place your chips on.

Frank rates this film: *** stars (out of 4 stars)

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