Ocean's Two Hot Men

Last night I went to watch Ocean’s Thirteen because I had read a nice review of it in the NY Times. While it was clear from the beginning that even the movie maker didn’t take his own work too seriously, and this sort of bonhommie jocular attitude was evident amongst the actors too, for me, it soon came to a point where I am rolling my eyes at the unrealistic unfolding of events much as George Clooney himself, did at one point in the film.

So it’s an interesting film because on the one hand, it seemed to be a satire of all those star-studded big blockbuster films and at the same time, it is undeniably one too, unable to shed its grandiosity – it wears it like a giant monster suit.

Danny Ocean and his gang are back this time to right a wrong done to one of their own, a loopy naïve old gamer named Reuben who was screwed over by a shrewd but finicky businessman Willy Banks. So distressed by the turn of events Reuben’s heart decided to turn on him as well and caused him to retire to his deathbed. As the comrades gathered around their fallen friend, they swore vengeance on his behalf. And of course, the object of their vengeful fury is none other than a very orangely tanned Willy Banks.

The problem is, Willy Banks was not an altogether dislikeable character. He shows his pathetic and almost endearing side when it became clear how important the Royal Five Diamond ratings are to him. The way he bragged about his past awards make him seem less like a 60 year old and more like a first grader. So the gang of thirteen swoops down on his newly opened hotel (which by the way, was spectacular and stunning) and wreaks appropriate havoc on Willy Banks’ bank.

And it was all…too easy. The lack of dramatic tension is the most notable element in this film. At no point was the audience in serious concern over the lives and welfare of any of the characters. The film went down as smooth as a creamy cheesecake and required little stress or emotional involvement on the part of the audience. The film was good eyecandy however, with two studly males strolling casually down the Vegas strip, gabbing about relationships and women problems. At one point, the two of them teared up while watching an Oprah show. There are moments of self-conscious satire and really really light humor.

I walked away feeling yeah, Brad Pitt still got it, so does Clooney. But beyond the fact that I just spend 2 hours oogling two hot guys over 40, I had little else to take away from the film.