By Ed Yu

Film Vitals:

Movie Review

The trailer for “Ocean’s 11″ floats like a helium balloon filled with a star-studded cast, tied together by one of today’s hottest directors. Once the film unfolds, the air of hype seeps out gradually, until there’s nothing left but a deflated rubbery bag, ready to be tossed out like yesterday’s headlines.

The cast includes marquee names such as George Clooney and Julia Roberts. Unfortunately, in this remake, the cast lacks that magical screen chemistry of the original film, which features Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr.

George Clooney displays his cool, calculated charm as the heist mastermind, Danny Ocean. He solicits his buddy Dusty Ryan, played by a slender Brad Pitt, to assemble a team, break into the Bellagio vault in Las Vegas and steal $150 million. These two heartthrobs clearly are the film’s greatest assets so director Steven Soderbergh gives them ample screen time.

With precious chunks of time allotted to the two leads, the film rushes to introduce the other partners-in-crime. Fine actors like Matt Damon, Don Cheadle and Elliott Gould dash across the screen like caricatures from a “Scooby Doo” cartoon rather than substantive characters. They appear as gimmicks so that there are enough accomplices to call the film “Ocean’s 11″ instead of “Ocean’s 4.”

Editing a film is like packing a suitcase. You struggle to fit everything within your limits, in this case, a 105-minute movie. Sometimes you leave out so much the story falters.

Look at Roberts’ role as Tess, Danny Ocean’s estranged wife, who is hooked up with casino owner Harry Benedict, played by a suave Andy Garcia. When she first appears midway through the film, she is so spiteful toward Danny that her change of heart unfolds unconvincingly.

Even the heist lacks suspense. Every obstacle is quickly and conveniently overcome and there is no real tension. The story is so subdued even an exciting location like Las Vegas cannot energize a slow and lackluster plot.

While there are fun little touches in the dialogue, the jokes are so few they prompt sympathy applause like a comic whose punch lines are falling flat.

Unlike “Traffic,” where Soderbergh adeptly directed a huge cast in a multifaceted story, he appears out of his element here. Soderbergh seems overwhelmed by his star cast and falls victim to serving the actors instead of the plot.

I’d rather gamble my money on the blackjack table than watch this film.

Grade: C

Rated PG-13.