Ocean's Eleven, Twelve & Thirteen Gift Set Blu-ray

Ocean's Eleven, Twelve & Thirteen Gift Set

 (2007)

Comedy | Crime | Thriller



This Blu-ray release includes the following titles, see individual titles for specs and details:

Ocean's Eleven Blu-ray    Warner Bros. | 2001 | 116 mins | Rated PG-13 | Apr 29, 2008 Based on the 1960 Rat Pack film, wry, charismatic thief, Danny Ocean (George Clooney) orchestrates the most sophisticated, elaborate casino heist in history, less than 24 hours after being released from jail. In one night,... Action / Comedy / Crime / Thriller

Ocean's Twelve Blu-ray    Warner Bros. | 2004 | 125 mins | Rated PG-13 | Apr 29, 2008 It's been three years since Danny Ocean (George Clooney) and his crew — fronted by detail man Rusty Ryan (Brad Pitt), up-and-coming pickpocket Linus Caldwell (Matt Damon), explosives expert Basher Tarr (Don Cheadle) and... Comedy / Crime / Thriller

Ocean's Thirteen Blu-ray    Warner Bros. | 2007 | 122 mins | Rated PG-13 | Nov 13, 2007 Danny Ocean and the gang would have only one reason to pull off their most ambitious and risky casino heist — to defend one of their own. When ruthless casino owner Willy Bank double–crosses one of the original Ocean's eleven —... Comedy / Crime / Thriller

For more details about Ocean's Eleven, Twelve & Thirteen Gift Set on Blu-ray, see the Ocean's Eleven, Twelve & Thirteen Gift Set Blu-ray Review

Ocean's Eleven, Twelve & Thirteen Gift Set Blu-ray, Video Quality

 


Ocean's Eleven

Warner Brothers has released Ocean's Eleven as part of this Blu-ray trilogy package only. At the time of writing, only Ocean's Thirteen is available for individual purchase. This 1080p, 2.40:1 Blu-ray release looks fairly good considering the shooting style and artistic choices employed by director Steven Soderbergh. Those looking for a straightforward, non-stylized, generic image will not be pleased with this one. The image spots a processed, overly saturated, almost bleached look about it. Contrast appears to be pumped up, especially noticeable on shots with excessive shades of white on screen. Flesh tones appeared to be slightly redder than expected, but black levels maintain a consistent, natural, and pleasant inkiness. The print is noticeably marred by speckles, most evident during the opening act of the film but noticeable throughout. This issue verges on being distracting, and anything more than what is here would have been. Color reproduction is excellent and detail, depth, and clarity are fine. Considering the film has a slightly awkward look because of Soderbergh's artistic licenses seen throughout the film, this one remains a mostly good, yet subtly flawed, high definition transfer. 4/5 stars.

Ocean's Twelve

Ocean's Twelve arrives on a Blu-ray disc that is strikingly similar to its predecessor in overall quality. Presented in 1080p high definition and in its original 2.40:1 aspect ratio, this film features a return of Soderbergh's pumped up contrast look with extra bright whites and other overly processed colors. There is also quite a bit of grain scattered throughout the movie, giving it a vintage, gritty look that accentuates the use of 1970s style music heard throughout the movie. The image is at times overly soft and there is a definite lack of fine detail throughout. One positive here is the solid black levels that are deep and true. Overall, I felt this was the worst looking of the three films, but how much of it is director intent (probably most of it) versus a poorly authored disc, I cannot be sure. 3/5 stars.

Ocean's Thirteen

Also presented in a 2.40:1 frame, Ocean's Thirteen continues on in the tradition of Soderbergh's odd-looking, highly augmented contrasts. The look of the film alters on nearly a scene-by-scene basis. At times heavily grainy, at other times artificially brightened, and sometimes "normal," this film certainly runs the visual gambit making it difficult to judge. When the movie takes on a more naturalistic image, it looks top-notch. At other times, viewers may be thrown through a loop, wondering what they are looking at as a heavy grain field, blooming, off- kilter colors, and flesh tones that make the actors look like they have tomatoes for heads permeate the look of the film. Still, considering how much Soderbergh has gone against the grain, so to speak, I am confident what we are seeing here is pretty much what he intended for us to see. 4/5 stars.

Ocean's Eleven, Twelve & Thirteen Gift Set Blu-ray, Audio Quality

 


Ocean's Eleven

The packaging for this set says it contains "Hi-def sound." Unfortunately, nothing could be further from the truth. Not only do all three discs feature Dolby Digital 5.1 only soundtracks with no sign of a truly high-definition, lossless of uncompressed mix in sight, but each one features a paltry, lethargic mix whose number one achievement is that it's there. The low bit rate track provided for this movie lacks in just about every department, save for dialogue reproduction which comes across just fine. I took very few notes on the audio presentation for this film, and the first word I wrote was "flat." This is an almost completely lifeless, dull track with very little going on. There is little in the way of deep bass, even in scenes that scream out for it. A club scene early on, for example, offers up a bit of ambience that is mostly music bleeding into the rears, and just enough bass to let us know that we have a subwoofer connected to our system. Otherwise, the experience was uninteresting and spiritless. Granted, the film rarely calls for exorbitant use of sound, but hearing the sounds of the casino emanating from the rears to create a more immersive experience would have been most welcome. 2.5/5 stars.

Ocean's Twelve

If you were to re-read the brief audio review for Ocean's Eleven above, it mostly all applies to this mix as well. This underpowered mix might be the weakest of the three (though they are all pretty anemic). Dialogue reproduction sounded a bit muffled at times, and I had to strain to hear what the actors were saying on occasion. I don't think I heard anything come from the rear channels this go-round, and the mix is just about completely focused up front. Even for a lossy soundtrack this one was especially bland, offering up little more power than what I would have expected from a stereo LaserDisc soundtrack circa 1993. 2/5 stars.

Ocean's Thirteen

Where's the beef? Like the other Ocean's films on Blu-ray, this one sports a paltry Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack that often sounds as if it's on life support. In fact, the mix is so plain, so front heavy, and so dull, despite the kickin' 70s-esque soundtrack that it has to be filmmaker intent. We are treated to only the briefest of moments that offer up a hint of notice that the rear channels are even active, notably in the underground digging sequences as we hear the humming of the equipment ever so slightly all around us. We are also treated to a few instances of good LFE use, most evident during the film's climactic moments during the heist. Otherwise, this one may as well be a stereo track. Dialogue reproduction is strong and focused in the center, and the music plays nicely through the front, creating a pleasant experience that really hearkens us back to the days of 1970s cinema. This soundtrack is sufficient in delivering what it wants to, but expecting anything above and beyond the bare minimum is only a set-up for disappointment. 2.5/5 stars.

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