So you’re a big fan of the “Ocean’s” saga and you're wondering whether this reboot is just a shameless money grab or something actually worth your time? Read on.
The plot involves Danny Ocean’s estranged sister, Debbie, trying to rebuild her life after five bitter years in prison. She reunites with her partner-in-crime Lou Miller (Cate Blanchett), and together they build a team to take aim at a $150 million necklace and settle the score with Debbie’s nemesis. The plot for most of the movie is very straightforward and sticks closely to the tried-and-true “Ocean’s” formula:
Layout the job
Introduce the team
Set-up & prep for the job
Start the job
Overcome unexpected obstacles
Flashback reveal of how the job was finished
Get revenge on the antagonist
If you like the “Ocean’s” formula, you’ll probably leave the theatre satisfied. This movie has the same structure, look, scoring, and editing as the original three and totally feels like an “Ocean’s” movie. But whether or not you LOVE the movie will largely depend on how much you like the new characters. The movie spends the most time on these three in particular:
Debbie Ocean (Sandra Bullock) - The movie begins with a brilliant montage of mini-scams that establishes just how good of a con-woman Debbie is. She’s super-believable as the brains of the operation and gives off the same Clooney-esque confidence and charisma.
Lou Miller (Cate Blanchett) - Blanchett captures the same charm and wit of Brad Pitt’s “Rusty” from the original series and has great on-screen chemistry with Bullock. You really do believe the two are life-long friends who think & function on the same wavelength.
Daphne Kluger (Anne Hathaway) - Kluger is a shallow, high-society socialite modeled after the Kardashians and Paris Hilton’s of the world. Hathaway’s hammy portrayal of a snobby super-model is FANTASTIC and one of the most entertaining parts of the movie as she unknowingly becomes a pawn in the heist scheme.
The supporting cast includes:
Amita (Mindy Kaling) - A highly-skilled jeweler who hates her job and is trying to escape life with her overbearing mother.
Tammy (Sarah Paulson) - A run-of-the-mill suburban mom that tries to balance motherhood with underground profiteering...out of her garage.
Constance (Awkwafina) - A sticky-fingered street hustler who steals several scenes with her social awkwardness and great comedic timing.
Nine Ball (Rihanna) - The hacker and tech-expert. She’s a far cry from the nervous and nerdy Livingston, who served as the hacker and tech-expert in the original series. Rihanna oozes charisma as a hip, street-smart, genius that smokes cigars while she hacks multi-million dollar security systems.
Rose Weil (Helena Bonham Carter) - A broke, washed-up fashion designer with tax problems. She’s charged with outfitting Daphne Kluger for the Met Gala.
Claude Becker (Richard Armitage) - Debbie’s former lover and con partner.
What You’re Going to Like:
This movie follows the “Ocean’s” plot format to a tee -- including a nice twist in the final act.
The movie retains the look, feel, and “coolness” of the original series.
The montage of scams Debbie runs to start the movie is pure genius.
The plot is easy to follow and not nearly as gimmicky or convoluted as other entries like “Oceans 12.”
There are several legitimately entertaining new characters like Debbie, Daphne, Lou, Nine-ball, and Constance that you want to see more of.
There are some nice cameos from some of the original team.
What You Might Not Like:
This film retains the “coolness” of the first movie, but it lacks some of the cleverness. It’s better than a retread, but it just doesn’t feel as fresh and interesting as the originals.
The movie starts with a solid build and hits a good climax, but it DRAGS to the final resolution. The last act introduces a new angle that has potential, but feels very rushed and ends up taking away some of the steam from the climax of the heist itself. The movie ends up feeling like it should've ended 15 minutes earlier.
Some of the more interesting secondary characters aren’t given a ton of screen time (Nine Ball, Constance, Amita) and it’d be nice to see them given more shine in future films.
Conclusion
For me, “Oceans 8” goes in the category of “good, but forgettable.” If you like the originals, there is very little chance you’re going to dislike this one. While I found it both entertaining and enjoyable, nothing about the movie felt overly original, clever, or exciting. I left feeling like I’d seen about 80% of a really good “Ocean’s” movie, but also feeling like I wanted to see more of these same characters in the future.
Final Grade: C+
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