Why Ocean's Eleven Is Revered as the Pioneer of Heist Films

04.03.2024 - 19:20

Upon its release in 2001, Ocean's Eleven emerged as one of the year's most successful films, sparking the creation of a franchise. Helmed by director Steven Soderbergh, the movie is hailed as a superior remake of the 1960 Rat Pack original, featuring the likes of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., and their cohorts. Rumors even suggest a sequel in the works, with Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling potentially portraying the thieving lineage of Danny Ocean's parents. As the film that set it all in motion, Ocean's Eleven continues to be revered as the quintessential heist film of the 21st century. Let's delve into the reasons behind its enduring legacy!

"Ocean's Eleven" stands as one of the finest American heist films ever made, primarily owing to the clever and surprising nature of the heist itself.

While viewers may know they are pulling off the heist from the beginning, the real question is how they will execute it. The film skillfully reveals the intricacies of the vault's security and introduces Terry Benedict (Andy Garcia) as a formidable adversary.

George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle, Elliot Gould, Casey Affleck, Scott Caan, Eddie Jamison, Shaobo Qin, the late Carl Reiner, and Bernie Mac portray the 11 central characters, with Julia Roberts delivering one of her best performances and Andy Garcia creating a dream-like ensemble for any director in Hollywood.

The cast is incredibly famous and successful, making it a rare treat for audiences to witness so many stars in one film.

The actors in the film boast seven Oscar victories and 22 nominations, and this count doesn't include director Steven Soderbergh, who adds one win and two nominations to the tally.

The appeal for viewers lies not just in watching these film stars have fun together but also in the fact that the shooting process was as entertaining for them as it was for the audience, as they were the material for the jokes themselves.

Even with such an exceptional ensemble, the film could have been dull or just another heist movie.

This risk is one of the reasons why the genre was losing its charm and no longer a box office magnet. As for Steven Soderbergh, his directorial career took off with 'Sex, Lies, and Videotape,' but he struggled to find success in the '90s due to experimenting with too many box office-unfriendly experimental films.

This film breathed new life into the heist genre, attracting many new filmmakers and actors to the genre.

Everyone wanted to create their version where the Ocean's Eleven team traveled the world, each member showcasing their unique skills while looking good and exchanging witty dialogues. 'The Italian Job' does it, 'Now You See Me' does it, and even the 'Fast and the Furious' franchise, which might be the best in the series with 'Fast Five,' does it. In essence, these individuals owe their success to the innovator of this genre.