“Ocean’s 8” has a lot riding on it to be a pure case of summer escapism, especially when you take into account the fact that it is stacked with some of the best actresses in Hollywood. Because of this, they needed to be the defining factor in the film’s overall success, both critically and, especially, financially. Luckily, for at least this film goer, “Ocean’s 8” lets the ladies have their fun in a wickedly entertaining, undeniably satisfying heist caper with plenty of style and wit to boot.
Debbie Ocean (Sandra Bullock), sister of world-renowned thief Danny Ocean (previously portrayed by George Clooney), has spent all of her 5+ years in prison devising the perfect heist once she is released. After she is released, she rounds up a group of seven talented women across various skills in an attempt to pull off one of the largest heists ever attempted: Snatching the most valuable diamond necklace in the world off the neck of renowned superstar Daphne Kluger (Anne Hathaway).
The "Ocean’s" film series is famous for blending style with story, making them one of the most entertaining film series to watch, with the exception of the second one. “Ocean’s 8” manages to capture much of the style the series is famous for, whether it’s through the editing, the use of the camera, or especially the music. The film has the wit and appeal necessary to make it an incredibly entertaining experience.
However, it was disappointing that, unlike “Ocean’s 11,” the first film in the franchise, there wasn’t as much substance or stakes put into the story of “Ocean’s 8.” Rather, what it does have in common with the previous films is that it is practically a carbon-copy of the format used in the previous films. So understandably, it can get fairly predictable in many instances.
But what makes this film work on so many levels are the women themselves. This group of strong, capable, talented women is what holds this movie together every step of the way. The group Debbie Ocean assembles consists of her old partner Lou (Cate Blanchett), jewelry maker Amita (Mindy Kaling), suburban and former partner-in-crime Tammy (Sarah Paulson), sleight-of-hand thief Constance (Awkwafina), professional hacker Nine Ball (Rihanna), and fashion designer Rose Well (Helena Bonham Carter).
Every single one of these ladies fits their roles perfectly, each one adding their own sense of flair and passion to them, with Sandra Bullock, Anne Hathaway, Cate Blanchett, and Helena Bonham Carter shining brightest among the star-studded cast. But that’s no criticism whatsoever towards the other actresses, as they all did exceptional jobs respectively with their roles. I was even surprised by how pleasantly enjoyable Rihanna was as she hasn’t had a good track record with her acting, such as with 2012’s “Battleship.”
But when they come together for the climactic heist itself, it’s impossible to not feel a sense of satisfaction as you watch it unfold. The amount of detail and precision put into the execution of the heist is immensely fun to watch and it’s satisfying to see how each and every one of the ladies plays a vital role in pulling off the heist. They all have significance in the implementation of the heist and I thought they pulled off their roles effectively.
Overall, “Ocean’s 8” is a flawed but immensely enjoyable heist caper with plenty of star-power to give it life. The cast of strong women brings about the spirit of the “Ocean’s” films and, while the story gets muddy for a while, the heist alone is well-worth watching. While it isn’t as deep or story-driven as with previous installments, the style, wit, and overall satisfying appeal make it one of the more pleasant and delightfully entertaining crime capers in the past few years.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFWF9dU5Zc0&t=1s&w=585