“… takes a movie with solid bones, and fills it out in a way that makes it one of the best heist films ever created.”

In order to rid my mouth of the terrible aftertaste that Ocean’s 11 left I decided to watch Ocean’s Eleven, the Steven Soderbergh-directed remake of the 1960’s classic (classic? Do people actually enjoy the original?). This remake once again features an all-star cast, but updated for the times. Our key players this time around include but are not limited to: George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Casey Affleck, Don Cheadle, and Carl Reiner.

Ocean’s Eleven might be the best remake in the history of films becasue it takes a movie with solid bones, and fills it out in a way that makes it one of the best heist films ever created. Seriously, Ocean’s Eleven is pretty much the heist film. Watching it revealed so many tropes and quirks that it may not have invented, but it certainly perfected.

First of all Ocean’s Eleven struck the perfect balance between funny, smart, and intense. The characters were written in such a way that they were brilliant, but also occasionally morons which led to a lot of hilarious conversations and character interactions. And the story was carefully crafted to keep you on the edge of your seat throughout the entirety of this two hour film. Seriously, Ocean’s Eleven nailed the ‘keep you guessing’ plot that is almost essential for movies like this.

And even on a more technical level this film nailed it. You not only have a smooth yet cool soundtrack that perfectly encapsulates the vibe of the movie, but also great direction that was stylized for the time, but still holds up to this day. There’s not one thing about Ocean’s Eleven that I didn’t love.

Overall Ocean’s Eleven proves that it is the quintessential heist film. With charming performances, a brilliant script, and amazing direction Ocean’s Eleven is still a force to be reckoned with.

I give Ocean’s Eleven an A