MOVIE REVIEW by Lucas Allen: ‘Ocean’s 8’ cast helps make predictable caper fun

Ocean’s 8
(Warner Bros. Pictures/Village Roadshow Pictures)

By Lucas Allen

Steven Soderbergh’s Ocean’s trilogy, which began with his 2001 remake of the 1960 Rat Pack caper “Ocean’s 1,1” is a stylish and charming series of heist flicks that earned its worldwide appeal for its mix of humor and suspense.
With the Oscar-winning filmmaker as producer, “The Hunger Games” director Gary Ross took over directing duties for the semi-sequel/remake in the series, “Ocean’s 8.”

This time, the main cast is changed while the usual display of criminal shenanigans remains. In a summer dominated by superheroes, it’s nice to see a different sort of team gracing our screens.
After she’s released from a five-year prison stint, Debbie Ocean (Sandra Bullock) resumes her merry ways, which she takes from her late brother Danny. She starts devising a plan of her own, recruiting her close friend Lou (Cate Blanchett). The plan is to sneak through the annual New York Met Gala and steal a priceless necklace that will be worn by actress Daphne Kluger (Anne Hathaway). To gain access, they recruit failing fashion designer Rose (Helena Bonham Carter) to become Kluger’s personal assistant.
After they also recruit hacker Nine-Ball (Rihanna), single mother Tammy (Sarah Paulson), jewelry expert Amita (Mindy Kaling) and pickpocket Constance (Awkwafina), they start planning every single detail to put their mission in motion. On the big night, they manage to carefully go through with the heist. However, Debbie also has a personal revenge plan of her own by getting back at her ex-boyfriend (Richard Armitage) who sent her to prison. Plus, the team has to contend with an insurance investigator (James Corden).
There’s a sense of fun throughout the movie that helps lift it from being simply another sequel. The charm, wit and style that graced the trilogy are once again in full display that’ll leave a smile on any fan’s face. Ross seems to understand the heist series’ universal appeal, so he tried his best to mimic Soderbergh’s directing choices which worked for the most part. At the same time, this film stands on its own two feet that makes it feel refreshing especially for anyone new to the franchise.
The story isn’t as intricate and complex as the other movies, mostly because these characters aren’t robbing a casino this time. It does a fine job revealing every moment of the plan from beginning to end, but it’s another “been there, done that” situation that has plagued recent reboots and remakes. It does deliver some good laughs to add to the fun, but you’ll wish they could’ve done something better with the story to make it more surprising.
Like before, it’s the main cast who helped carry this film with their charismatic performances. Both Bullock and Blanchett lead the charge, while Hathaway and Carter deliver scene-stealing performances. Make sure you keep an eye out for some surprise cameos who add to the fun.
There are enough good things to be found in “Ocean’s 8” no matter how you feel about the franchise’s changing course. It’s still a refreshing entry in the series that will likely to continue from there if there’s enough interest. Hopefully this’ll finally put those internet haters in their place.

THE MOVIE’S RATING: PG-13 (for language, drug use, and some suggestive content)
THE CRITIC’S RATING: 3.25 Stars (Out of Four)