Ocean's Twelve/Ocean's Eleven - 2 Pack (2005, DVD)

"Ocean's Eleven", jam-packed with stars including but not limited to George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, and Andy Garcia is as highly explosive as dynamite. "Ocean's Eleven" was released in 2001, directed by Steven Soderbergh and written by Ted Griffin. It was actually based on the 1960's movie "Ocean's 11" starring The Rat Pack. With today's technology the movie is taken to a whole new level here. Ultimately it is the most criminally genius movie ever. George Clooney's suave charm keeps you intrigued throughout and just when you think you know how everything is going to turn out you find out that you're in the same boat as Terry Benedict (Andy Garcia) and are completely clueless. All is revealed in a timely fashion however and no one can help but admire the brains of Ocean and his team. Some critics argue that this movie is just a compilation of stars and famous actors getting together for a weekend party and filming the result, but I think it is genuine entertainment.

Rated PG-13 for language and sexual content I have to agree with the language part. Reuben Tishkoff (Elliott Gould)swears extensively whenever he appears in the movie. Not necessarily in a vulgar manner, but as a very central part of the character. As for sexual content there wasn't any sex scenes or anything that I was bothered by. The rating should stand for language content though. The movie runs for 127 glorious minutes which lead perfectly into the sequel "Ocean's Twelve".

"Ocean's Twelve" was released in 2004 and hosts all the same famous actors and actresses as "Ocean's Eleven" with the audition of Catherine Zeta-Jones as a clever European detective who is after Rusty Ryan (Brad Pitt) for more than one reason. In 125 minutes Danny Ocean's (George Clooney's) gang from "Ocean's Eleven" reunites in an attempt to make a quick 165 million to pay Bennedict back and thus keep their lives. But, is another criminal got it out for them as well? Has the gang lost their touch? We certainly hope not.

The set of this movie leaves the western desert and zigs and zags all across Europe. Famous cities, museums, retreats, is anywhere safe from Danny Ocean?! Again a thriller that you are stumped on until the end. It's truly amazing.

Besides the great plot and acting found in these movies you just have to love the humor. I especially appreciate it because two members of the group are said to be Mormon Brothers. I myself being Mormon find them hilarious, especially in "Ocean's Twelve" when one brother gets married. The director is pretty accurate on his facts when it comes to Mormon culture.

This script is full of humorous gems that you discover and re-discover every time. There are so many clever comments and snide asides that you can't catch them without watching the movie multiple times.

Because of the surprise endings your immediate reaction is always to want to put the DVD right back in and watch it again and hopefully figure it out for yourself this time. Test your brain power and notice all the subtle hints that really are in there. It's great! You'll never get bored!

"Ocean's Twelve" is even more zany that "Ocean's Eleven" in that i think the movie doesn't take itself as seriously. Neither one really does, but "Ocean's Twelve" more fully. I mean really, who ever got the idea to have Tess Ocean (Julia Roberts) pretend to be Julia Roberts? It's debatably my favorite part, and thoroughly hilarious.

I also thoroughly enjoy the music and montages in both movies. I think it is also rather dramatic irony that "Claire de Lune" should be a recurring theme for a fast paced robbery movie.