I have always believed—and still do—that U.S. cinema, particularly Hollywood, has been experiencing a creative decline in recent years. While Hollywood films may still perform well at the box office, they have struggled to secure a place among cinema classics. Despite this trend, some exceptional films have stood out and left a lasting impact. Movies like Little Miss Sunshine, Babel, The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Hotel Rwanda, and Downfall have resonated deeply with audiences and earned their place among the greats.
When I first approached Ocean’s Thirteen, I was skeptical, convinced I would regret watching it. After all, it wasn’t an original concept—it had been done before by legends like Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., and Dean Martin. However, to my surprise, the film far exceeded my expectations. I must admit, it is one of the rare Hollywood movies I would highly recommend, as it remains enjoyable even upon multiple viewings.
Moreover, this film provided a glimmer of hope that Hollywood could one day reclaim its lost reputation—the prestige it held in the 1950s and 1960s. That being said, as a passionate admirer of European cinema and a firm believer in artistic filmmaking, I see Ocean’s Thirteen as an exception rather than a turning point. The American film industry still has a long road ahead if it hopes to restore the golden era once defined by masters like Hitchcock and his contemporaries.