For the last five plus years all Debbie Ocean (Sandra Bullock) has had to think about was how to steal a $150 million dollar necklace of the neck of a mark during the Met Gala. Why she had all that time to think about was because she was incarcerated. The plan is flawless on paper but it would have to be to pull off this caper at one of the most high profile events of the year. Meticulously thought out and every eventuality covered. Now all she needs is a crew to make it happen. She gets her right hand girl Lou (Cate Blanchett) and they set out to plan the heist. The start with getting down on her luck designer Rose Weil (Helena Bonham Carter), who must persuade the mark, socialite actress Daphne Kluger (Anne Hathaway), to wear her dress and the diamonds to the even. Then let add a fence, Tammy (Sarah Paulson), a pick-pocket, Constance (Awkwafina), diamond expert, Amita (Mindy Kaling), and a hacker, Nine Ball (Rihanna), everyone they need to make this plan happen. The plan is made, the crew is assembled and the Met Ball is days away and all they have to do is rob a highly protected necklace in a museum filled with people and more cameras than you can count.
David Ross (Pleasantville, Seabiscuit) wrote and directed the most recent film in the Ocean’s storyline. It definitely is in the same mold of the male dominated Ocean’s trilogy of films. There are even cameos from the old crew and the direct link of the main character being the sister of the protagonist of those films really ties them together. There are several nods to the original films and even the music and cinematography match up pretty well. At times I would say that it tries too hard to be like those films.
The cast does a great job. The character development is really good and if successful could definitely lead to follow up films. Awkwafina, who I had not heard of before going into this film, was a real bright spot and stood out in the scenes she was in. James Corden, as insurance investigator John Frazier, was also fun. The flow and pace of the film really went along well. There were definitely fun moments, also some moments that were a little cheesy, which are to be expected. Also to be expected in heist movie are some twist and turns, which this film delivers on. It keeps you guessing until the end.
Overall this was a fun movie going experience but maybe on I would be more likely to rent than see on the big screen.
3.5 out of 5
Second review by
Angele Colageo
It has been five years, eight months and twelve days since Debbie Ocean (Sandra Bullock) has been in prison. She has been running the ultimate heist every day of her sentence. As soon as she is paroled, she seeks the assistance of her best friend and fellow grifter Lou (Cate Blanchett) to find the perfect team of con artists. This rounds out the crew for the heist of a $150 million dollar Cartier piece from the neck of actress Daphne Kluger (Anne Hathaway) the celebrity chair of the Met Gala.
We do follow Lou and Debbie as they recruit the specialists. They rope in Rose Weil (Helena Bonham Carter) the once darling designer in debt to the point where IRS has taken her passport. Amita (Mindy Kaling) an expert jeweler who so desperately wants to move out of her mother’s house. The sleight of hand expert Constance (Awkwafina) and Nine Ball (Rihanna), a hacker of the highest order. The last recruit is Tammy (Sarah Paulson), one of Debbie’s friends that has “retired” from the game and is a wife and mother who can pretty much get things that are needed.
We join the crew while they spend three weeks preparing for the heist. As we are shown how it will happen, we learn that part of Debbie’s plan is to exact revenge on her ex-boyfriend Claude Becker (Richard Armitage) who had set her up as the fall gal on the scam that put her in prison. As the plan comes together, we follow along as the heist continues.
Ocean’s 8 is jam packed with well known faces that deliver a smooth ensemble performance. The burglary is the slickest ones that I have seen in a while. With that being said, I would like to have seen more humor since they had two comedians that really don’t get to add their strengths to the film.
The music does not support the scenes enough to create a great impact as in the previous Ocean’s incarnations. The team never give off any tension as if they had something to lose. I did enjoy the cameos and familiar faces.
This film might carry a large audience just from the good will of the star studded cast. Though all are wonderful performers, I would have liked to have seen the elements of danger and risk. Fans of the cast will enjoy the film purely on the strength of actors.
2.75/5
