Ocean’s Thirteen finally makes its arrival on 4K Ultra HD in a separate steelbook, digitally, and together with The Ocean’s Trilogy.
The 4K remasters of Ocean’s Eleven, Ocean’s Twelve, and Ocean’s Thirteen were completed at Warner Bros. Discovery’s Motion Picture Imaging (MPI) with the participation of director Steven Soderbergh. The restored 5.1 digital audio mix was overseen by original re-recording sound mixer and sound editor Larry Blake.
With the cast having so much fun, it only made sense to cap it off as a trilogy. Ocean’s Thirteen is really a continuation of the second film. After starting things in Las Vegas and running off to play in Europe, it’s back to basics by returning to basics. The humor is more along the lines of the first film as they rob another hotel/casino. But in as much as the film is about a heist, the theme of friendship is another through line with Reuben Tishkoff (Elliott Gould) on his death bed. Reuben had been swindled by casino mogul Willy Bank (Al Pacino). With Reuben out of commission, Danny Ocean (George Clooney) and Rusty Ryan (Brad Pitt) turn to their old nemesis, Terry Benedict (Andy García), for help in buying a new drill.
Neither Julia Roberts or Catherine Zeta-Jones returned to portray Tess Ocean and Isabel Lahiri, respectively. This isn’t because of budget but because of a script not giving them much to do. It’s a shame because their appearances would have enhanced the film. At the same time, I can understand not wanting to take a part that leaves them with little to do. There is already a large cast involved with Clooney, Pitt, and Damon also getting the majority of screen time. Speaking of the script, screenwriters Brian Koppelman and David Levien play to everyone’s strengths. They know where to place the right jokes. In some instances, Clooney and Pitt are just playing out some of the writers’ real-life experiences on camera.
Rather than film at a hotel, they opt to build a $8 million set in twelve weeks Stage 16 on the Warner Bros. lot. In a way, this is more convenient because it allows them to film when they want to. Plus, using the drill is basically a way to recreate an earthquake. That’s not something that one can do on location. In building on a soundstage, it gives them more control. Soundstages might limit the footprint but in building it with multiple levels, you wouldn’t realize this.
The big challenge for Ocean’s Thirteen is the Bank’s security system. It is a state-of-the-art system and simply blowing it up would not be enough. The fun thing here is that Ocean’s crew is the main people stealing from Bank. Rather, it is an entire casino full of people taking advantage of games being rigged while the system is down. It’s much different from raising a house in Ocean’s Twelve even though the technology is common.
It would be nice to see more films with these actors. Unfortunately, Bernie Mac and Carl Reiner’s deaths add complications to potential sequels. I think Bernie Mac’s untimely passing is what really put an end to the films. Where Carl Reiner got to live a full life, co-starring in these movies helped introduce him to younger generations. Maybe there’s a future where they mix actors from both the Clooney/Pitt/Damon films and what may be a Sandra Bullock one-off. I suppose that it is certainly possible but it would need to serve the story. It would also need to pay homage to actors no longer with us.
Ocean’s Thirteen does not get very emotional but it caps a fun ride of heist films in an entertaining manner.
Bonus Features
- Commentary by Steven Soderbergh, Brian Koppelman and David Levien
- Third’s a Charm: The Making of Ocean’s Thirteen
- Ahab with a Piggyback: The Means & Machines of Ocean’s
- Jerry Weintraub Walk and Talk
- Masters of the Heist
- Deleted Scenes
DIRECTOR: Steven Soderbergh
SCREENWRITER: Brian Koppelman and David Levien
CAST: George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Andy García, Don Cheadle, Bernie Mac, Ellen Barkin, and Al Pacino, Casey Affleck, Scott Caan, Eddie Jemison, Qin Shaobo, with Carl Reiner and Elliott Gould
Warner Bros. released Ocean’s Thirteen in theaters on June 8, 2007. Grade: 4/5
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