23 years of Ocean’s 11: How Steven Soderbergh’s classic measured up to the original | Hollywood News

“You’re a liar and a thief,” the charismatic Danny Ocean is told in a scene. Without skipping a beat, he retorts, “I only lied about being a thief.” This sharp repartee sets the tone for Ocean’s 11, a film brimming with wit and charm yet offering so much more beneath the surface.
The exence of this film begged the question––why would anyone dare remake a film that once starred titans like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr.—the legendary “Rat Pack”? Steven Soderbergh answered this question boldly in 2001, reimagining the 60s he classic with a swagger all his own. The original, also featuring icons like Peter Lawford, Angie Dickinson, and Richard Conte, was akin to assembling the cinematic equivalent of the New York Yankees.
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Soderbergh, however, redefined the he genre with an approach so fresh it became a yardstick for all films that followed. He had the perfect cast too: George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Elliot Gould, and Julia Roberts. Rarely has Hollywood seen a lineup so star-studded, and rarer still has it delivered with such cohesive brilliance.
The story opens with Danny Ocean (Clooney) sitting in a parole hearing, and securing it with ease. Once out, he wastes no time setting a devious plan into motion –– robbing three Las Vegas casinos owned the ruthless Terry Benedict (Andy Garcia), who also happens to be dating his ex-wife Tess (Julia Roberts). Of course, Danny inss this personal connection has no bearing on his audacious scheme.
Ocean and his “11” come across as a perfectly balanced five-course meal at a Michelin restaurant; each flavour independent in its delivery and identity, yet none surviving without the other. While the “deviant 11” work together to receive the biggest pay-out of their careers, they also complement each other in each and every frame. For example, there is seldom a scene where we don’t see the Mormon Twins (Casey Affleck and Scott Cann) together in a frame; if you want one, you also have to take the other.
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The narrative has consciously worked in details that make these characters and their messed-up relationships with each other more feasible. With fleeting references to past escapades or in-jokes never fully explained, the script gives a sense that these characters ex beyond the confines of the screen. They feel lived-in, with relationships so authentic that their stories seem to unfold both within and beyond the film’s runtime.
Brilliant dialogues that fill each frame are accompanied nuanced silences. Consider the scene where Danny and Rusty (Pitt) debate recruiting one more team member. Danny asks, “Ten ought to do it, don’t you think?” Rusty remains silent as Danny continues, “You think we need one more? You think we need one more. Alright, we’ll get one more.” Without a word from Rusty, the audience understands his unspoken agreement. This familiarity between the characters makes them more believable, more human. The conversation leads to the recruitment of the last member of their crew, Linus Caldwell (Damon), a young, nervous, and too eager-for-his-own-good thief.
The soundtrack of the film moves with the same pace as the scenes and shots. The ‘Bebop’ jazz tracks in the background highlight the same urgency and unpredictability that the plot does, with the pauses lining up perfectly for that punch line to hit. David Holmes, the music director, also added tracks stars like Elvis and Perry Como to elevate the story.
Witty writing, clever cinematography, engaging music, and stellar performances all come together in this masterclass in filmmaking. 23 years later, this remake doesn’t just fill the shoes of its predecessor; it struts confidently into its own spotlight. A stellar star cast, along with Soderbergh’s crystal clear vision and execution, ensured that this 2001 gem stole more than the cash—it stole our hearts.