Ocean's 8

Score:  B

Directed by Gary Ross
Starring Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter, et. al.
Running time: 110 minutes
Rated PG-13

Long Story Short:  Ocean's 8 is the fourth film in the heist franchise, the first in more than ten years and, more significantly, with an all-new cast of female stars.  The roster overhaul is mostly successful, led by rock-solid Bullock and Anne Hathaway stealing the show.  The innovations don't go as far as you might expect, but the formula still works well.  Recommended (especially those looking for fun outside the space-and-superhero hordes).


Debbie Ocean (Bullock), the sister of famed heist master Danny (Clooney), shares some of her brother's strongest impulses: proving her ability to do anything she puts her mind to, and exacting revenge on those who have wronged her.  After being released from prison, Debbie is a woman on a mission.  She meets up with a longtime friend, Lou (Blanchett), to seek her help in planning and executing a heist that would impress even Danny.  Due to the magnitude of the job, Debbie finds that she has to look beyond eager and willing friends like Amita and Tammy (Kaling and Paulson) to unknown experts in their field, as well as other key allies when things don't go as planned.  But while technical plans fall into place, Debbie realizes that her equally strong desires for riches and revenge may not be fully compatible.

Like its predecessors in the Ocean's heist movie franchise, the latest edition is packed with famous faces - this time, of course, most of them female.  Sandra Bullock takes over for George Clooney as the lead, appropriately playing his sister, Debbie.  Bullock was an excellent choice for the role: not only a very strong actress in general, she also already has plenty of experience with both lighter, funnier roles as well as dramatic leads.  The introduction is where she really gets to shine, displaying a supremely confident and competent (if also ruthless) personality; she easily has the stature necessary to lead what you know will be an epic heist.  Unfortunately, she gets largely drowned out in the sea of other characters by midway through, but her parts are still effective and central to the larger story and tone.  Cate Blanchett is ostensibly the co-lead, but she never really emerges; in fact, she's probably the most dispensable part of the cast due to the script.  Instead, it's Anne Hathaway's star actress Daphne who transforms from witless victim into the most intriguing and entertaining character.  At first she plays the part as stereotype (amusingly at that), but in the film's best twist, becomes deeply involved and reveals far more complexity, including a delightfully mischievous mind.  Helena Bonham Carter gets the next most notable role, as an overwhelmed fashion designer, on the team, particularly in her scenes working with Hathaway.  Paulson, Awkwafina, and Rihanna each draw a few chuckles in small and/or plot-device roles.  Last mention goes to James Corden, who enlivens much of the final act with one more dose of much-needed humor.

Ocean's 8 doesn't quite get to the thrilling, showmanship heights of the original Ocean's 11, but it is a well-made reboot with a few highlights.  This sequel doesn't try to mess with the formula, so the two key ingredients remain the same:  a dynamic ensemble, both individually and via relationships, and clever and exciting heist scenes.  The film does a solid job with both of these, though having seen my share of similar films, there are only a few standout elements here.  The cast is fun, as described above; Bullock, taking the "Clooney role" is very good, while Blanchett in the "Pitt role" is a non factor.  The special part here is Hathaway, whose performance rises to the challenge of her character's transformation.  She is the film's most effective symbol, of a female caricature becoming actualized, moving from plot device to a formidable force as an individual.  The heist itself is fun, too; in particular its setting - the Met Gala - not only with its variety of cameos but more the overall mocking take on celebrity culture.  There is not much sense of there being a challenge to it all, though; sure there are a few obstacles that get thrown in, but they are all overcome quickly and with little trouble.  Perhaps it would have helped to develop a good nemesis, like Ocean's 11's Andy Garcia; Bullock's ex is a very, very hollow substitute if he was meant to be one.  Although there isn't a lot here to separate it from its predecessors, Ocean's 8 has good pacing and is enjoyable throughout, wisely wrapping up well short of the two-hour mark.  Bookended with Bullock's great introduction and Corden's hilarious investigation, the main story in the middle develops smoothly and produces enough laughs and/or tricks to keep you well amused.

***

Ocean's 8 is a welcome addition to the summer 2018 movie season; while not a classic, it's perfectly fine and quite enjoyable.  And if you're not a fan of the action blockbuster franchises (while I don't see how that's possible, personally, I do acknowledge that there are those of you out there), this is a particularly good alternative to those.  Yes, it's part of a franchise itself, but obviously a much different kind of franchise, and one with zero relevant connections to other films.  It represents another step in the right direction for Hollywood, with its female-emphasized cast, if a timid one within a familiar formula and franchise.  Still, progress is progress.  I suggest giving this a try, to a wide variety of audiences, and we can hope that the progress continues in whatever comes next.



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