Ocean's 13 (2007)

"You're a midget in 34 states." (Virgil Malloy) "And an animal in the other 34.        24.  22." (Turk Malloy)

"Oh I told him.  The nose plays." (Rusty Ryan)

"Too fast? You did the bullet train stunt with half of Asia watching?"  (Linus Caldwell)   "*Chinese*" (Yen)  "Wait, that was CGI?" (Rusty Ryan)  "Those weren't your legs?" (Danny Ocean)

"Rules dictate that we've got to offer Bank a Billy Martin." (Danny Ocean)

I love well done ensemble casts.  I think there is a powerfully inimitable zen that can clearly be felt by the audience if all of the actors in a movie are having a good time and are genuinely engaged with each other.  It just feels more real.  I think that at least Ocean's  11 and Ocean's 13 are brilliant examples of inspired casting, great script writing, and incredible leadership by the director.

However, if you were going to see just one.  I would have to say that Ocean's 11 is far better film than Ocean's 13.  This is not to say that Ocean's 13 is not valuable...it's just not as inspired as the original.  Ocean's 13 has the burden of maintaining all of the "Cool" that was established in the first two movies and still keeping the audience engaged.  The solution for this was to pull back the curtain more than in the previous two.  Show how the hustle is done.  Unfortunately, knowing how the game is played ever so slightly ruins the thrill of the deception.  Magic just isn't the same once you know the secrets.

Now for the real main reason why I love Ocean's movies.  Its all about the dialogue.  They're just full of personal zippy phrases and fragments that are for me a joy to watch seasoned actors deliver.  "You're such a wowzer." (Basher to Linus).  I also love the code that they speak in when it comes to the cons.  You don't even have to exactly know what they are talking about get what's going on on a more simplistic and yet more meaningful level.  "He's doing an Irwin Allen." (Linus to Ruben about Rusty) "Livingston, Set him up with a Gilroy." (Danny about Linus)  This time I think I now get what a "Billy Martin" is.  Billy Martin was a former manager of the Twins and Yankees who was routinely always given another chance.  He managed the Yankees for 5 separate stretches.  Funny reference to offer someone a "Billy Martin".

Ratings:

Robbie Coltrane:  Skip it.  I wish you could have been in this one.

Bernie Mac:  RIP  (very sad)

Sinatra:  See it

Ted Nugent:  See it "Get your shirt back."

Hustlers:  See it

On a scale of looking 50 "only from the neck up" to only from the neck down, I give Ocean's 13 3.75 out of 5 stars.