MovieChat Forums > Ocean's Thirteen (2007) Discussion > What was the purpose of earthquake?

What was the purpose of earthquake?

posted 8 years ago by manubhatt3
12 replies | jump to latest

In the planning phase, when Nagel was having a discussion with Ocean and Rusty, it seems that earthquake was planned for shutting down the 'Grecko' - the computer, as well as for their exit strategy.

But, did it really came useful for shutting down the computer? I thought that computer was shut down becoz of Pacino's mobile, becoz we see clearly that after the first shock the computer was working fine. Yes, for exit, earthquake came useful. If I am right, what was the use of first earthquake tremor, before everyone made the bet?

[–] armenianmovieman 8 years ago

I think the first tremor was to throw the system off and to get Bank alarmed enough to get into the Greco room (with the Samsung magnetron in his pocket of course).

The second tremor is the exit strategy to make sure people get out after having won.

[–] manubhatt3 8 years ago

thanks, yeah..I get that, but how could they have been so sure that Bank will go into the Greco room after the tremor. He could have simply made a phone call to the Greco manager.

Also, the bet the chinese guy made, was done before the call to Bank's mobile. So, it seemed that they were 100% sure that he was in the Greco room, thats why they made that huge bet before ringing him and activating the Magnetron. But how they were so sure that he went to the Greco room or was in the Greco room?

In my view, this is a huge plothole!

[–] ruffian82 8 years ago

True, true; but this is where my husband always tells me, "it's a movie! Don't overthink it!

Because I am on here looking for explanations of how the dice worked correctly...

That being said, in this case, the crew already knew Bank's intensity and ego, plus they'd been studying the man.

It's a "soft opening" (not so rare as the movie says.)

This is his chance to check it all out; also some stuff has already gone awry; he's ready to freak.

[–] manubhatt3 8 years ago

'dice worked correctly'? They added some mixture/compound into the substance from which the dice was made, in the Dice factory. Didn't u see that scene?

[–] armenianmovieman 8 years ago

To expand on Ruffian's point, in a lot of these heist movies (especially the Ocean's movies) even the most careful planning and prep requires the mark\marks to act based on human nature, like when Rusty dresses up as a geologist and gives Bank the seismograph; a crucial part of their plan depends on Bank keeping that seismograph in his office (they would have no magnetron without it).... or when Linus puts on the Gilroy cologne and convinces Sponder to get access to the diamond room.

So what some call luck or coincidence in these situations (Bank going to the security room, Bank putting the seismograph camera and actually keeping it) is just the team banking on simple human nature. Other options are possible (Bank could do any number of things instead of rush to the Greco, or just get rid of the seismograph) but the odds are in the crew's favor.

Think about it: a scientist isn't selling you anything but comes to give you a presentation to warn you that your building should be earthquake proof and even gives you a seismograph in case of foreshocks..... a part of you would think "Okay, maybe he has a point, maybe I'll keep it" regardless of how earthquake proofed your hotel is or anything else and thus you'll be more likely to keep it.

This is what such heists bank on.

[–] manubhatt3 8 years ago

To correct u slightly, magnetron was not in the seismograph, it was in the Samsung mobile phone which Bank got. Seismograph just contained a camera. And thats why it was so important for them to have Bank not just keep the Seismograph, but keep it in his office - which was not too likely. He could have delegated to anybody the responsibility to check the Seismographic readings, if any.

I do not agree with you on the whole, sorry. Even if someone knows that Bank is very concerned about his reputation, he can imagine him to be more concerned about his customers status and the casino floor in general, in case of an slight earthquake, rather than the Grecko. Human nature is extremely complex. People often spend years with someone, only to find out that they completely misjudged/misunderstood the person in some respects. It is very hard to predict the reactions of people to certain stimuli. The same reason I found 'The Best Offer' too, so ridiculous.

[–] armenianmovieman 8 years ago

What I meant to say was they would not know anything about the Samsung phone Bank is expecting had it not been for the camera Rusty put in there.

I guess we just have differing opinions on this one. Bank immediately after the first shake heads for the security room and asks if the tremor threw off the system. We must also remember that security (and the cash flow) is #1 in Bank's mind: he has to clear $500 million in the first 3 months or he gets dumped out of his hotel and any screw-ups could cost him his position in that hotel, as the majority of the hotel's board of directors are people who don't like Bank. So his priority is security to make sure no cheating\$$$$ is lost.

We both have differing opinions and that's cool, but at least it seems we both agree the movie's awesome.

[–] tbeller80 7 years ago

The "human nature" remark is pretty close. Being thieves and con artists, the team has to learn everything about their marks and what makes them tick. Ocean even says Bank's biggest weakness is his ego. We see him personally inspecting every single facet of the hotel - far more than someone in his position would do. In the case of the Greco he's been planted with the idea that his hotel might be vulnerable to earthquakes and it's opening night. He's very nervous about anything going wrong and feels the need to be at the center of whatever event is going on. He confronts Livingstone personally, chastises a technician when the slot machines glitch, and later inspects the Greco security office in person. Half of the con against him counts on his ego and needing to be in total control which he feels he must do in person.

[–] MurphAndTheMagicTones 7 years ago

But the first tremor wasn't much of a tremor. Hardly anything even moved on his desk. It felt like a vibration more than anything else. And given how far he'd have to go to get from his office to the Greco in the basement, he could have easily passed plenty of people along the way and see nothing was going on.

At that point, he was more concerned about security being knocked out.

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We lost Bowie, Glenn Frey, Prince, & George Michael. And Bieber's alive. 2016 SUCKED!

[–] Dargaud 8 years ago

They bring not only one, but TWO tunnel boring machines after the first one breaks down. Considering that those things weight 4500 tons each and are build in-site, that's quite a feat, to say the least. Particularly since they are not usually taken out, but abandoned in a side tunnel (too expensive to dismantle). I wonder what king of overnight shipping delivery they used.

[–] manubhatt3 8 years ago

lol

[–] Jsully9 (377) 2 years ago

It was to get eryone out of the casino, so they don't give the money right back.