Awaiting the sequel due out later this year, I sat down and took another look at "Ocean's Eleven" starring George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Matt Damon among a myriad of other well known faces.

I must say, I have the same feeling for the picture now as I did when I sat through it in the theater. I really enjoyed it. I think the story is well crafted and each character is properly rounded for such an ensemble show.

"Ocean's Eleven" follows a band of professional criminals lead by idea man Daniel Ocean (George Clooney). Originally based on the 1960 movie of the same title, Ocean is paroled from prison and immediately puts together a heist for the underground vault at the Belagio Hotel in Las Vegas. The vault houses cash for the Belagio as well as the MGM Grand and the Mirage, totaling over $160 million on fight nights.

So Ocean hooks up with former cohort Rusty Ryan, played by Brad Pitt, to put the plan in action, who in turns finds nine other persons whose specific expertise of course lend a hand to the project, including Elliout Gould who bankrolls the whole operation.

However, conflict begins to appear in the ranks as Ryan discovers Ocean may have ulterior motives for hitting the vault since the owner of all three casinos, Terry Benedict (Andy Garcia) is now dating his ex-wife, played by Academy Award winner Julia Roberts.

Academy Award winning director Steven Soderbergh called the shots on this won, following up on his award winning efforts on "Traffic," one of my least favorite movies in the last five years. However, Soderbergh has plenty on his resume to keep me renting his works, including "Erin Brockovich." Pitt gives a standard performance, as does Clooney and Damon. Gould stands out among the ensemble, as does comedy heavy hitting director of the 60s and 70s Carl Reiner, who appears as Saul-the high roller of the con.

Don Cheadle gives one of his most disappointing roles, as an Australian electronics and explosive expert named Basher, ugh. What a stupid name and a stupid accent adopted for this character. Soderbergh failed by letting Cheadle turn his part into a throw-away high concept attempt.

Garcia is about the only other celebrity to stand out in this ensemble cast, as well as Roberts, just cause she's so gorgeous, but the part was of course easy for her as well. Garcia's no bullshit nature made him scary without actually seeing him bruise anyone. He aloud the viewer to show his power and control over his empire made him dangerous. Solid preparation on the part of Garcia, the best of the cast.

Only a couple of scenes were far fetched, but not too hokey and distracting, so I must say this picture is one of my favorites from Soderbergh. However, the upcoming "Ocean's Twelve" may end up changing my mind. This time, the crew adopts one more person to pull off three large heists in the middle of Europe. Oh, good. Yet, another heist in Europe movie. Haven't seen that before.

Before the sequel comes out and ruins the first one for you too, rent "Ocean's Eleven." It's good for a tickle.

Benn - Where's the Humanity?