Ocean's Twelve

Casino boss Terry Benedict (Andy Garcia) has caught up with Danny Ocean's merry band of hipster crooks, and he wants his $160 million back--with interest. As this sequel begins, the disbanded gang that cracked Benedict's "impenetrable" Las Vegas vault in 2001's Rat Pack remake Ocean's Eleven has been backed into a collective corner and given two weeks to pony up. But that's the least of their troubles as they reunite for a string of elaborate heists throughout Europe, hoping to hold off their debtor with the proceeds: turns out that a cunning, foxy Europol detective (Catherine Zeta-Jones) is barely half a step behind them (and sometimes half a step ahead), and a rival cat burglar aims to beat them to every safe and museum on their itinerary. The pretzel plot of high-tech break-ins and long-con knavery won't stand up to much logical scrutiny, but director Steven Soderbergh acknowledges that with an ironic wink, taking self-aware meta-comedy to a level of capriciousness that few directors could pull off without seeming either inane or smug. Along for the fun is an all-star returning cast, including George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle, and a passel of great guest stars. Recommended. (R. Blackwelder)