Ocean's Eleven (DVD, 2002, Widescreen)

Loosely based on the 1960 Rat Pack film of the same name, OCEAN'S 11 is a hi-tech crime comedy that features a top-notch cast. Con man Danny Ocean (George Clooney) has just been released from a four-year jail term and decides that his first order of business is robbing three Las Vegas casinos owned by the slimy Terry Benedict (Andy Garcia). To pull off this nearly impossible task, he quickly assembles an eclectic crew--including a card shark (Brad Pitt), a pickpocket (Matt Damon), an explosives expert (Don Cheadle), and an aging gambler (Carl Reiner)--and seeks financial backing from a freewheeling casino mogul (Elliott Gould) who holds a grudge against Benedict. However, it soon becomes apparent that Ocean has more at stake than money and his newly found freedom--his ex-wife, Tess (Julia Roberts), just happens to be Benedict's new girlfriend. Can Ocean steal back Tess's heart and more than a hundred million dollars at the same time?Continuing an impressive streak of films that began with OUT OF SIGHT and THE LIMEY and exploded into even wider acclaim and popularity with ERIN BROCKOVICH and TRAFFIC, Steven Soderbergh helms this star-studded caper flick with a strong sense of style and humor. Clooney and Pitt, in particular, have a great rapport and both exude a suave, laid-back charm. Damon, Cheadle, Gould, and Reiner all provide excellent comic turns, while Garcia gives an appropriately sinister performance. The whole glittery package is topped off by David Holmes' engaging score, which ties together the sounds and moods of Hollywood past and present.