Ocean's Eleven Review

Messages: Basic premise is that a smart, attractive, "ethical,"  racially diverse team of swindlers and robbers are heroes while the villain, their mark, is a heartless corporate big shot. So good defeats evil -- but in a nontraditional way.

Role models: The romantic con artists are loyal, brave, smart, funny, and honorable toward one another. The diverse, colorful team of rogues includes: a Chinese gymnast, two lovable old stereotypical Jewish crooks, and two black criminals. The only substantial female player is the love interest of the gang's leader, Danny Ocean.

Violence: There's lots of suspense, much of it with a sense of comic irony, as the heroes try to pull off a remarkable robbery. Action includes some fist fights, a beating, chaos in a casino, two security guards being gassed into unconsciousness, and several explosions (two cars and several small rooms blow up). No one is injured or killed. In one scene, an elderly man seems to be having a heart attack or stroke, then appears to be dead (but not for long). 

Sex: One romantic kiss; several distant shots of strippers, and one short lap dance. No nudity.

Language: Occasional swearing that includes two instances of "f—k" and other milder curse words: "goddamn," "no s—t," "screwing," "a--hole." In one scene two men pretend to insult each other with racial slurs: "goddamn cracker," "colored." One character makes an obscene gesture.

Consumerism: Las Vegas hotels abound: Bellagio, Mirage, MGM Grand, Mandalay Resort. Other visuals: Trump Plaza, Ramlosa water, Budweiser, Michelob, Barnum’s, and Macy’s.

Drinking, drugs and smoking: An elderly man chomps on a cigar in all of his scenes. A few scenes show men drinking in social settings: in a bar, a casino, a hotel room, at a gaming table, at dinner.