Ocean's Eleven

Nice, undemanding (though also very smartly put together) and entertaining, but I won’t lie, I expected a lot more from a film starring George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon and Julia Roberts. (26.07.2010)

I haven't felt this good in a long time. A comedy from the world of thieves in the most elegant presentation. Traffic was indeed amazing, but here, you can see that Soderbergh wanted to take a directorial break. The film is neither frantic nor slow paced. It moves along in a relaxed manner that suits both it and the audience. There are no unnecessary scenes to prolong the film. There is also no unnecessary action, flashy camera shots, explosions (actually, there are a few, but there's no megalomania), and God forbid, car chases. I give the benefit of the doubt to those who say that it doesn't matter if the casino is eventually robbed or not. It's all about how it's done. Cunningly! This is the only word I can think of. Perhaps a bit too much and it’s cinematic, but it's not about art, but about entertainment. Hats off to you, Steven Soderbergh. The ensemble cast doesn't deliver Oscar-winning performances, but it's evident that everyone is having a good time, just like the director. Even Andy Garcia, who I kind of felt sorry for because I have him pegged as a positive protagonist. I considered Julia Roberts a sympathetic addition to a great film. Like I said, I haven't felt this good in a long time. Two hours in the company of a great cast working on one great job. (02.01.2005)

Ein angenehmes Spektakel, das sicherlich nicht den Anspruch erhebt, das Genre der "Heist"-Filme revolutionär zu verändern, aber es erfüllt alle typischen Klischees und den traditionellen narrativen Rahmen mit Leichtigkeit und einer gewissen Eleganz, was durch den ironischen Subtext des gesamten Films sehr unterstützt wird. Wenn mich etwas gestört hat, dann war es der langatmige Anfang, in dem der traditionelle "Rekrutierungs"-Humor nicht sehr gut funktioniert (wie viel lustiger sind in dieser Hinsicht die Ladykillers!) und die Kluft zwischen den starken Leistungen der Stars und den faden Charakteren der weniger bekannten Mitglieder der Elf. Soderbergh hat es geschafft, 116 Minuten flotte, angenehme und entspannende Unterhaltung zu schaffen, die einem nicht den Atem raubt, aber auch nicht den Abend verdirbt. (03.01.2005)

Good mood from the first charming look of Clooney to the final tone of the sensual soundtrack. Soderbergh was breaking through to me through several unsuccessful attempts, but I am now even happier that I finally got to a great experience. This firmly organized yet slightly confused squad is impossible not to love. (26.07.2008)

Smooth, attractive, intelligent, entertaining. It's one of the few films that you can give to absolutely any kind of viewer, because everyone will find their own thing and won't turn up their nose at the rest. (19.01.2014)

A cool heist movie with an amazing cast, without which it would have made no sense to make it. This is certainly not the last time I’m watching Ocean’s Eleven, it is one of those films that you enjoy on a rewatch, when you already know the what and the how. (10.07.2021)

A big portion of entertainment for big money; that simple equation, which rarely works out for filmmakers, has worked brilliantly here. The all-star cast has a chance to properly show off, the script doesn't let up with its barrage of plot information and pleasant humour, and Steven Soderbergh coaxes this artificially stylized bunch with his traditionally effective directorial touch, though ironically his filmmaker's qualities in a such mindless a flick are a waste... But let’s be happy for that ;) 80% (16.06.2012)

Aus Ocean’s Eleven sind positive Energie und der Enthusiasmus der Schauspieler zu spüren, die es regelrecht genießen mitzuspielen. Eine solch tolle schauspielerische Besetzung, wie sie in der ganzen Serie zusammengetroffen ist, ist in selten einer Serie zu finden, geschweigedenn in einem Film. Clooney, Pitt, Damon, Garcia, Roberts, Cheadle, Mac.... Solch eine Truppe pfiffiger Verbrecher sieht man gern. (14.04.2007)

I don't think I'd rob Las Vegas based on this movie (and that's an important variable I expect from heist movies), but making movies like this for the enjoyment of the filmmakers and the audience is nothing I'm opposed to. But notice how, with such a clever band of eleven main characters, Soderbergh allows each to play a single acting part and so together they actually add up to one character in terms of acting. Simple and funny. (15.02.2011)

Today, a quite classic film, which is primarily a remake of a movie from 1960. Steven Soderbergh managed to make a fresh, clever film for which he also gained a lot of talented actors. Although it seems like just a film about robbing a casino, the preparation, execution, and outcome are truly important in this case. (11.03.2014)

Steven Soderbergh in his best period (at least in my opinion) follows two "relatively serious films" with a terrific diversion that teems with star actors, occasionally offers some pretty awesome dialogue, and feels incredibly fresh and brisk. There's a bit of that "playful directing" effect present here, and I dare say that all the protagonists must have enjoyed the filming in every way (at least that’s the impression I got). A suspenseful crime comedy with themes of "the greater good", Soderbergh gets an A plus for this one. (11.10.2013)