When 12 is less than 11...

[Pic Courtesy IMDb]

Like most sequels, Ocean's 12 is a big disappointment when compared to its predecessor. It boasts of more star power, more exotic locations and heists with bigger payoffs but is dull and predictable for the most part. The easy camarederie between the stars and the in-jokes make it clear that all involved had fun during the making of the movie but the film unfortunately was not as much fun for me.

The full gang of Ocean's 11 is forced to get back together when casino owner Terry(Andy Garcia) wants them to pay him back, with interest, the money they stole from him in the previous movie. They get their targets lined up but there is another thief, Night Fox, who wants to prove that he is better than Ocean(George Clooney) in the thieving business. Meanwhile Rusty's(Brad Pitt) ex-flame(Catherine Zeta-Jones) has the gang in sight too.

Ocean's 12 has 2 big heists. The first one is so complicated and work-intensive and requires so much preparation that it loses all semblance of reality. On the other hand, the second one is anti-climactic and disappointing. It has quite a buildup and since several key things go wrong, it keeps us guessing as to how it will eventually be executed. But the final developments turn out to be a case of deus ex machina and entirely predictable.

Eventually, the only enjoyable moments in the movie turn out to be non-heist-related. There is some funny banter when the gang gets together like the members' displeasure with being referred to as Ocean's 11. Matt Damon's earnest, straight-laced turn is also enjoyable in the scenes where takes part in a hilarious meeting with a middleman and their group meeting where he takes exception to referring to someone as a 'freak'. Pitt and Zeta-Jones also share good chemistry while Julia Roberts(alongwith Bruce Willis in a cameo) takes a few shots at her own image.

PS: Question for those who have seen the movie... Who is the actor playing the master thief, whose face we see only at the end?