OCEAN’S 8 is now on disc and it’s a cause to celebrate and
to worry at the same time. Celebrate because it’s great to see women in dynamic
roles normally assigned to men and worry because Hollywood seems to think the
best way to do that is to place them in roles men have already used up. We saw
this with the release of the female version of GHOSTBUSTERS and now with the
Ocean franchise.
Sandra Bullock plays Debbie Ocean, sister of Danny Ocean
(George Clooney) from the previous films. Just released from prison having
spent five years there for after being framed for a theft her boyfriend did,
she’s had time to think up the greatest heist ever conceived. Now she just need
to organize a team to help her pull off her plan.
As Danny had right hand man Rusty so too has Debbie in the
form of Lou (Cate Blanchett). Having worked together in the past Lou is on
board with her plan. That plan is to steal one of the most valuable pieces of
jewelry in the world, a necklace called the Toussaint from Cartier valued at
$150 million. Her plan is to steal the necklace while it’s being worn by
socialite Daphne Kluger (Anne Hathaway) at the exclusive Met Gala held by
Vanity Fair at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Lou and Debbie begin assembling her team. Each one is
necessary to perform different tasks at hand and each has their own reason for
wanting in on the job, all involving money. First up is Rose Weil (Helena
Bonham Carter), a fashion designer on the outs who they finagle into creating a
gown for Daphne. Next up is Amita (Mindy Kaling), a jewelry expert and designer
who wants out of her mother’s house. In need of a hacker they settle on Nine
Ball (Rhianna) whose skills are above their needs. For a pickpocket they choose
Constance (Awkwafina) from the streets. The last member of the team is Tammy
(Sarah Paulson), an acquaintance of Debbie who’s a housewife who sells stolen
goods on the side out of her garage. Once assembled they begin to explain the
plan to those involved.
The majority of the movie then sets in motion the various
means necessary for the women to pull off the heist from one of the most well
guarded buildings in the world. Each one uses their skills to achieve the
endgame of the heist that takes place the night of the Met Gala. The plan can
only work if everyone does their job with split timing precision. Just before
the plan goes into effect Lou talks to Debbie and realizes there is more going
on here than just the heist. The ex whose own theft put Debbie behind bars will
also be at the Gala and escorting none other than Daphne. Could this be
payback? As with the first film in the series, of course it is.
The rest of the film shows the heist being pulled off and
the girls escaping. It’s not a spoiler to let you know that because hey, if
they didn’t then the movie would be nothing but set up and no payoff. Once
they’ve achieved their goal comes the final portion of the film, perhaps the
last 40 minutes. An insurance investigator with a history with the Ocean
family, John Frazier (James Corden) is assigned by the insurance company to the
case. Recognizing Debbie he’s certain she’s involved but has no way to prove
it. But he’s diligent. Will he find a way?
You’re probably asking yourself something else by now. The
title is OCEAN’S 8 but there are only 7 members of the team listed. That eighth
person, and yes it is another woman, is revealed in this last section as well.
It makes sense as do the choices of all involved.
So is the movie any good? Well yes and no. It is quite well
made and looks incredible. Each and every one of the actresses involved her
turns in a picture perfect performance. Without trying to sound sexist Bullock
and Blanchett continue to look ravishing. And yes the movie is quite
entertaining.
My only problem with the film was that unlike the others in
the franchise this one didn’t have that sense of fun going for it. The others
all felt like those involved were having a good time. I didn’t get that sense
here. In addition to that seeing this gathering of some of the best female
actors on screen together I felt like they deserved something of their own to
be in rather than a female version of a story dominated by males in the past.
They’re better than that.
The end result is a movie that you’ll have fun watching even
if you’re not a huge fan of the others. Fans of those involved will love seeing
their favorites in roles otherwise not done in the past. It’s a nice evening’s
film that is well worth watching.
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