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  Directed by
  Starring
  Specs
  • Widescreen 2.35:1
  • 16:9 Enhanced
  • Dual Layer (RSDL )
  Languages
  • English: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
  Subtitles
    English - Hearing Impaired
  Extras
  • Theatrical trailer
  • Animated menus

Ocean's Twelve

Village Roadshow/Roadshow Entertainment . R4 . COLOR . 120 mins . Roadshow Entertainment . PAL

  Feature
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We're getting paid how much?
The follow up to the 2001 smash hit remake of Ocean's Eleven was only a matter of time. Steven Soderbergh remade the original Rat Pack film that featured Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jnr., and ol blue eyes himself Mr. Frank Sinatra with stars George Clooney, Matt Damon, Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts, Bernie Mac, Andy Garcia, Don Cheadle, and Elliot Gould. With a cast like that the film was destined to be a hit. The first film introduced us to Danny Ocean (George Clooney), a light fingered repeat offender that assembled a crew to knock over one of Vegas’ biggest casinos owned by Terry Benedict (Andy Garcia) and to win back the girl he had lost whilst incarcerated.

The fact that Soderbergh managed to get all this talent back for the sequel and pay them less than what they're used to again, considering that nearly half these cast members fees could probably settle the debt of a third world country, is a testament to the commitment by the stars and their enthusiasm towards the franchise. Joining the already impressive line up are Catherine Zeta-Jones and Vincent Cassel as well as some surprise cameos. It seems that everyone is dying to work with Steven Soderbergh these days.

"Let me break it down for you like a fraction. "

Ocean’s Twelve opens up three years on from the last caper offering a brief where are they now of the principles from the first flick. Some have embraced their newfound inheritance with glee while others are still leading less opulent lives. Now if you were the owner of a Casino and some punks did you over to the tune of $160,000,000 you'd be pretty pissed and wouldn’t mind getting your hands on them for a little payback wouldn’t you? Well Terry Benedict is just that guy. Not content with the insurance payment that covered the theft, Benedict has spent the last three years tracking down the so-called Ocean's Eleven, flushing them all out of hiding to give them an ultimatum; pay back what they stole with interest, or its goodnight!

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*Sigh* They're called Boobs Andy!

With the crew being too hot to work in the states it's off to Europe to scrounge up the funds needed to pay back Benedict and save them from a world of pain. Things don't go to plan in Amsterdam, as it seems they have some competition in the form of a renowned master thief known only as The Night Fox played by the coolest man in French Cinema today Vincent Cassel, beating them to every job they undertake. The Night Fox makes an offer to Danny & the boys; steal a priceless antique before he does, and he’ll settle their debt with Benedict personally. It seems even thieves have reputations to uphold, and the Night Fox doesn’t want any Yankee stealing his thunder in his backyard. On top of that the crew also has to contend with Rusty’s (Brad Pitt) ex, an Interpol agent called Isabel (Catherine Zeta-Jones) based in Amsterdam that is dying to catch up with him and his cohorts, after he ran out on her a few years back.

  Video
Contract

The Feature is presented on DVD in all its theatrical glory at a ratio of 2.35:1 enhanced for 16:9 displays. The only thing stopping me giving this video transfer a 10/10 is a couple of brief instances of mpeg pixilation lasting an aggregate total of approximately 3 seconds throughout the feature. Tsk-Tsk Roadshow, as this is something that should have been picked up well before going to retail.

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Better out than in I say!
While these may go unnoticed by people with smaller displays, anyone using projection or a big CRT will see them stick out like the proverbial canine genitalia! Aside from that the transfer is gorgeous; capturing all the detail that Europe has to offer splendidly. Colour and sharpness levels are spot on, with blacks being handled well. There is also fine amount of film grain present that only stands out during the nocturnal sequences but aren’t too noisy to cause any real issues. There is also a hint of edge enhancement if you look closely too, but again this handled well.

  Audio
Contract

Ocean's Twelve is presented in Dolby Digital 5.1; the soundtrack is very front heavy with minimal information sent to the surrounds. Only the slightest bit of the score is directed to the rears along with some environmental effects. The subwoofer spent a good portion of this film in snooze mode, only waking up occasionally to fill in the bottom end of the score. Given the nature of the film I'd hardly call it a fault, as this isn't your typical ball-tearing Hollywood action flick! For a dialogue heavy picture the dialogue was reproduced accurately with every one liner and pun clear as a bell. The real star here though is the music cues, evoking the feel of early European films. It's so breezy and cool that you literally get the feeling you are sitting at an outdoor cafe in downtown Amsterdam sipping an espresso whilst puffing on a Gitane.

  Extras
Contract

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Any room for me in this flick?
Unfortunately, the only extra on offer is the theatrical trailer. Given the amount of extras available on the Ocean’s Eleven DVD and Soderbergh's foray into supplements on his previous films, one can't help but speculate that there is a special edition in the works. This is a worrying trend that has seen the term double dipping casually dropped into the DVD consumers vocabulary. In principle I have no issue with it as long as it's made clear upfront, at least giving us a choice, rather than a surprise announcement six months later!

  Overall  
Contract

Ocean's Twelve is as good, if not better, than the first film. The A-list cast is an absolute delight to watch, they look like they're having an absolute ball on screen. Make no mistake it is the Clooney-Pitt show, however the rest of the cast aren't afraid to ham it up and give these two some shtick along the way. With some excellent cameos and one of the most lengthy & elaborate in-jokes ever conceived in film to date featuring Julia Roberts. Steven Soderbergh has created a cool breezy crime caper, featuring beautiful cinematography and some snappy editing with an excellent script that separates this movie from Hollywood's run of the mill sequels.


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      And I quote...
    "Ocean's Twelve is, as good if not better than the first film"
    - Anthony Bethell
      Review Equipment
    • DVD Player:
          Sony DVP-NS780
    • Projector:
          Infocus 4805 DLP Projector
    • Screen:
          LP Morgan Galleria 95" 16:9 fixed screen
    • Receiver:
          Sony STR-DB795
    • Speakers:
          Sony SS-MF650HM
    • Centre Speaker:
          Sony CR550HM
    • Surrounds:
          Sony SS-550HM
    • Subwoofer:
          Sony SA-WM500M
    • Audio Cables:
          MaxCable Optical
    • Video Cables:
          MaxCable Component
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