When the original "Ocean's 11" was released back in 1960, no one knew of the incredible franchise it eventually would become. Even when the reboot was released in 2001, who knew? So after all the sequels have been made, an all female cast was certainly destined to be inevitable. So now we have "Ocean's 8" in the offing in a flipping-the-table version.
After spending five years, eight months, 12 days and counting in prison, Debbie Ocean (Sandra Bullock), the estranged sister of legendary conman Danny Ocean, has been devising the biggest heist of her life. She knows what it's going to take--a team of the best known people in the field, starting with her partner-in-crime Lou Miller (Cate Blanchett). Together, they recruit a crew of specialists, including jeweler Amita (Mindy Kaling), street con Constance (Awkwafina), suburban mom Tammy (Sarah Paulson), hacker Nine Ball (Rihanna) and fashion designer Rose Weil (Helena Bonham Carter). Their target at the New York City Annual Met Gala--a necklace worth in excess of 150 million dollars.
Others to round out the cast are Anne Hathaway as Daphne Kluger, Richard Armitage as Claude Becker, James Corden as John Frazier and Elliott Gould as Reuben.
This was directed with the same whimsical flair as the previous 'Ocean' films by Gary Ross ("Pleasantville" '98, Seabiscuit" '03, "The Hunger Games" '12, "Free State of Jones" '16) plus a video documentary short. The way this cast of females came across was so reminiscent of how the male characters came across in the "Ocean's 11" films, that it was almost like watching the same film. Just take out the male cast and put in the female cast and, viola!, you have the same film. I mean this in a complimentary way since I am really fond of this franchise. Undoubtedly, Ross will continue with these characters in future Ocean's 8 films, assuming this makes a profit. It was equally well written by Ross ("Big" '88, "Mr. Baseball" '92, "Dave" '93, "Pleasantville" '98, "Seabiscuit" '03, "The Tale of Despereaux" '08, "The Hunger Games" '12, Free State of Jones" '16) plus TV and a video game and Olivia Milch, based on a story by Ross which is based on characters created by George Clayton Jones and Jack Golden Russell. Obviously Ross had the lions' share of the script, however I'm sure Milch was integral considering the cast was female instead of predominantly male. This did have some places of choppiness and it was a little slow in places, but once it got going, its pace was spot on The characters of Debbie Ocean (Bullock) and Danny Ocean (Clooney) were so similar as were Lou Miller (Blanchett) and Rusty Ryan (Brad Pitt)--it was simply uncanny.
This was surprisingly well thought out and clever, but considering they had a seasoned writer (Ross), it should not have been any doubt of its ability to bring us a talented yarn. Truly if another installment is to be created, Ross would undoubtedly have to write and direct once again lest the outcome becomes less than exemplary. It's a great popcorn film replete with an IMAX format as well.
Out of 4 Stars: 3 Rated: PG-13 110mins.
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