Remakes of classic films have become a common trope in Hollywood since the turn of the millennium, as modern technology has made it possible to create more immersive and entertaining versions of beloved stories. Steven Soderbergh’s Ocean’s Eleven is a prime example of a noughties reboot that enjoyed great success.
But how well has it aged? With society and technology having moved on dramatically in the two decades since the remake of the 1960 Rat Pack offering, could the original from Lewis Milestone now be considered the better of the two films?
Ocean’s Eleven Considered as a Successful Remake
There is no doubt that Ocean’s Eleven was an incredible success, which is why it sparked a franchise that comprises of two sequels and a more recent spinoff featuring women in the starring roles. The 2001 heist offering was the fifth-highest grossing movie of that year, and it brought in a respectable $450 million worldwide.
Thanks to this, it became the most successful remake of all time upon its release. Many factors combined to make Ocean’s Eleven a hit. The original cast of 1960s icons were replaced by their celebrity equivalents in the 2000s, with George Clooney, Julia Roberts, and Brad Pitt being three of Hollywood’s major stars at the time.
Soderbergh also employed slick directorial methods that were popular in the early 2000s, with several flashy cuts along with non-linear storytelling. At this time, the Las Vegas setting had earned greater notoriety worldwide as well, and this helped the film appeal to international audiences.
A Lot Has Changed in Twenty Years
When looking at Ocean’s Eleven now, it may seem much older than it is to the modern viewer. A great deal has changed from a societal and technological perspective since that picture hit screens, and some things that were cool and innovative in the entertainment industry at the time now seem stale.
The biggest progression has come in the casino sector and, because this is such a central theme in the film, audiences in 2021 may find it hard to get excited with the outdated themes. This is because today’s viewers have become accustomed to a new world of gambling, one that has a more predominant existence online. People still enjoy visiting places like Vegas, but most players living outside of the USA access casinos online instead.
For instance, a casino player living in South Africa would have to pay around US$1200 for a return flight to the infamous gambling hub. Alternatively, they could choose from a list of online casinos directly aimed at people in SA that all offer bonuses. The latter option makes more sense and is the choice that appeals most to the masses due to the increased choice, such as no deposit and exclusive bonuses. Viewers in countries like this have much more of an affinity towards digital forms of gambling than they do to hubs like Vegas and may not relate to Ocean’s Eleven in the same way.
Could the Original be Considered Superior?
Having established that Soderbergh’s Ocean’s Eleven would not be able to blow away today’s digitalized audiences, would it, therefore, be better for these people to watch the original? Some would argue that you can only get a taste of what the true story is about by watching the offering that started it all.
It was appropriate that Frank Sinatra’s role as Danny Ocean in Ocean’s 11 would lead to such a memorable franchise a few decades later. The legendary singer is one of the people credited with putting Vegas on the map as the Entertainment Capital of the World. He mainly did this through his residencies in the city but also starred in numerous movies.
The original also featured other Rat Pack members in Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Peter Lawford, and Joey Bishop. These stars had a stronger connection to Vegas than those in the remake and, in turn, appeared to fit more perfectly into the film. It was also more comedic than the 2001 version and could be considered the light-hearted option.
For viewers who watched Ocean’s Eleven when it first hit screens in 2001, the remake should still hold and offer an enjoyable experience. However, modern viewers may not be able to relate to it and, for this reason, there should be nothing stopping them from watching the original instead.
