‘Ocean’s Twelve’ drifts a bit

RAY BUFFER

It’s been three years since Danny Ocean (George Clooney) and his crew

-- fronted by detail man Rusty Ryan (Brad Pitt), up-and-coming

pickpocket Linus Caldwell (Matt Damon), explosives expert Basher Tarr

(Don Cheadle) and safecracker Frank Catton (Bernie Mac) -- pulled off

one of the most audacious and lucrative heists in history, robbing

ruthless entrepreneur Terry Benedict (Andy Garcia) of every dime

stored in his impenetrable Belagio vault in “Ocean’s Eleven.” After

splitting the $160-million take, and after Ocean steals Benedict’s

girl (Julia Roberts), each of the rogues have tried to go straight,

stay under everyone’s radar and live a legit life.

A fabulously rich and devious cat burglar known as The Night Fox

(Vincent Cassell) rats Ocean’s Eleven out to Benedict in order to

create a contest to see who is the best thief. If Ocean and his crew

win the wager, then their debt to Benedict will be paid by The Night

Fox. However, a smart and insightful Europol Detective (Catherine

Zeta-Jones) threatens to stop Ocean and his crew before they can

begin.

This film may entertain those who ogle celebrities, but as

thoughtful entertainment the film falls flat. The pacing drags at

various times in the middle of the story. The purpose of the film is

to facilitate a self aggrandizing reunion of movie stars not to

present an interesting story.

A contrived romance is created in this installment between Pitt

and Zeta-Jones. Though the chemistry and performances are all good,

the audience’s ability to understand their relationship, and for that

matter much of the film’s plot, is seriously hampered by director,

Steven Soderbergh’s penchant for leaping around in time using

flashbacks and odd transitions.

There are some amusing surprises and thrills, but not enough. The

uneven plot takes a further nose dive when Julia Roberts is used in a

bogus and disappointing fashion, which furthers the precept that

these actors are simply hanging out and having fun, while getting

paid a lot of money to rehash old characters. Zeta-Jones and Cassell

seem to be the odd ones out. Both of them seem to be making efforts

to carry the film, while the alumni “phone in” their lines as they

coast on star power. If you need an excuse to buy a tub of popcorn,

you should go see this movie. Just don’t expect to remember much

about the movie after it is over.

* RAY BUFFER, 35, is an actor, vocalist and documentary filmmaker

residing in Huntington Beach.