Film Analysis: Ocean’s Eleven

Final Review

Ocean’s Eleven is an American heist film (first of the trilogy) and a remake of the 1960 version which features an ensemble cast of George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Andy Garcia and Julia Roberts. For the most part there are three elements to a heist film: Assembling the crew and setting up the scheme, the break in and looting, and then the escape. Ocean’s Eleven covers all of those elements plus more. The plot of the film wasn’t just about robbing the casinos for money for the most part.

The cinematography in Ocean’s Eleven involve many nice shots of Las Vegas which includes the Bellagio Fountains near the end scene of the movie and the film has very nice atmospheric details with casinos, the gaming tabling, with Las Vegas, and the break in with the smoke and visual. The director Soderbergh uses neon lighting throughout the film which goes hand in hand with the neon signs that are around Las Vegas. The director uses numerous cinematographic components to create a meaning through each mise en scene, non and diegetic sounds through the course of the film for example the music that sets the mood and the diegetic sound of jail doors rattling open in the opening scene. There are also many close up shots along with established mid range shots used throughout the film to capture the facial expressions of the characters. There are also close up shots of Ocean’s ring, tells us it will be important later on in the movie. Also when he is leaving the prison, it is shown in a long shot through the cell bars giving the audience a point of view (POV) perspective. There is another POV shot after the first few opening scenes to introduce a new character Frank (Bernie Mac). The next scene of importance is a mid shot of Daniel O...

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...ological) structure. I loved the mix of comedy and seriousness used as well as the plot and quick pace keeps you wanting more. It was fun, pretty clean and a movie for everyone to watch and compared to the 1960 Ocean’s Eleven, the remake is by far better in every aspects.

With enough genuine Hollywood star power to light all the neon signs in Nevada, Ocean's Eleven is a good old-fashioned, Hollywood heist film amusing. Part of the pleasure of the film is that we feel that we're listening in on real conversations, and find ourselves leaning forward as though each of us is in on the conversations with them. Overall this film will forever be one of the best films I have ever seen due to the film’s fast paced, stylishly enjoyable flick , filled with an all star cast of actors which doesn’t disappoint and also provides a smooth piece of cinematography and entertainment.