The only problem with sequels to Ocean's Eleven (i.e. Ocean's Twelve, and now Ocean's Thirteen) is numbers.
Firstly, you have to get the original eleven actors, who starred in the first movie, to return and then you have to add on an extra one (or two) who are good enough to fit in with the cast you already have.
This preamble leads us to 'Ocean's Thirteen' - the second sequel, or threequel (we talked about this last week) to the remake of 'Oceans Eleven'.
Steven Soderbergh returns to direct all the usual stars in yet another slick heist movie set in and around a Casino.
When Willy Bank (a casino owner and hotelier played by Al Pacino) double-crosses Rueben (Elliott Gould) - one of the eleven - leaving him in hospital after suffering a heart attack Danny Ocean (Clooney) vows that he won't allow Bank to get away with it.
So, he calls the group together again including Rusty, Linus, Saul and the rest, and tells them of his extremely complicated plan to exact timely - and quite substantial revenge - on Willy Bank.
Their plan, as far as it can be made out, is to rob Bank of millions of dollars by cheating at almost every game in the Casino simultaneously while, at the same time, finding a way of embarrassing Willy Bank on the opening night of his brash new casino named, quite literally, 'The Bank'.
Speaking of numbers you might be wondering who, then, are number twelve and number thirteen in this gang of thieves. Well, the gang are joined in this endeavour by former nemesis Terry Benedict (played again by Andy Garcia) while the last, and the only female character in the gang, is Abigail Sponder (Ellen Barkin).
Abigail is Bank's second in command and the boys leave it up to Linus (Matt Damon) to convince her that she should turn on her boss and help the cause.
After the usual trouble rounding the gang up from wherever they have been since the last movie Danny tells them all the plan and the part they will play in it.
Now, it should be pointed out that the plan (and hence the story) is quite complicated but this isn't the point. The point of the whole exercise is the creation of another stylish, well filmed and highly enjoyable movie that will entertain the audience and make the film's producers lots and lots of money. If that sounds cynical, then so be it.
'Oceans Thirteen' is a masterpiece of timing, intricate plans executed to perfection, synchronised watches and teamwork all with towards one goal - revenge.
You would nearly forget that these guys are criminals and the whole purpose of their endeavours is to steal - albeit in quite a convoluted way and a way which involves no guns, or breaking and entering of any kind - these guys are too high class for that.
Boys will want to go to see this film because it's a cool film with cool characters doing cool, slightly illegal things set around a world of gambling in casinos.
Girls will want to see this film because George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Matt Damon (to name just a few) are in this picture.
The film wouldn't be complete without a groovy soundtrack by which to steal money by and this has been compiled quite beautifully.
The cast act, and interact, very well together and they appear to be enjoying themselves making this film - which very often translated to people enjoying themselves watching such a film.
There is little argument that while 'Eleven' was a good movie 'Twelve' wasn't up to scratch.
Well, rest assured that all are back on top form in 'Thirteen' and the end result is highly entertaining film.
The best advice is don't try to concentrate (or keep up) with the intricate plan - just enjoy the action and the scenery and you should find 'Ocean's Thirteen' a fun movie.
