Ocean's 8 (B or 3/4 stars)
'Ocean's 8' (directed by Gary Ross, Seabiscuit, The Hunger Games) -- a companion piece to the Ocean's Eleven trilogy -- stars Sandra Bullock as Debbie Ocean (the supposedly deceased Danny's sister), who has just been released from prison {for 5 long yrs.}, steals some clothes, worms her way into a hotel room, and reconnects with her icy cool partner-in-crime, Lou (Cate Blanchett), to explain an intricate heist she's been cooking up during her incarceration. "Why do you need to do this?", Lou asks. Debbie's answer: "Because it's what I'm good at". The score is Cartier's Toussaint, a vintage, 6 lb. diamond necklace worth $150,000,000 and the setting for this heist is the Metropolitan Museum of Art's annual Costume Gala.
Debbie & Lou recruit an all-woman crew for the job: formerly-renowned Irish fashion designer, Rose Weil (lovably cooky Helena Bonham Carter, doing her best Vivian Westwood); expert computer hacker, "Nine Ball"/Leslie (pop star Rihanna); fence-turned-suburban housewife/mom, Tammy (the always enjoyable Sarah Paulson); con artist/pickpocket, Constance (rapper Awkwafina); and jewelry designer/gemologist, Amita (Mindy Kaling). Number "8" is this group's list actress Daphne Kluger (Anne Hathaway, hamming it up in a great way), who'll be wearing the necklace in question. The goal is to literally steal it off her neck – but what of all the security cameras, bodyguards, the magnetic clasp that makes it impossible to remove; and what of Daphne, herself? Also, why an all-women crew? Debbie notes, "A him gets notice ... a her gets ignored. And for once ... we'd like to be ignored". With the other women on-board, Debbie then works allllll the angles to ensure that the Toussaint necklace can be stolen without tipping-off the security detail Cartier has assigned to guard Daphne. Hijinks ensue.
Fun movie; especially once we finally get to the heist 2/3 of the way through. Bullock, Blanchett & the rest of the star-studded cast don't re-invent the wheel with this heist movie, but the ensemble's camaraderie & charisma makes this a fashionable, humorous, slick cinematic offering for the masses to check-out. Bullock is her usual funny self; and its fun watching her speak in German for a large portion of the heist. Blanchett is solid - if slightly underused - as her partner. Helena Bonham Carter is reliably nutty; spawning laughs in my screening. Rihanna is effective as the understated hacker who loves her daily toke. And it's amusing seeing her trade jokes with the likes of NY's Awkwafina; the pickpocket expert. Sarah Paulson is always good. Mindy Kaling is fine, but doesn't get much screen time. Best of all is Anne Hathaway, who pokes fun at her own real-life celebrity persona. She just kills it, here -- loved every self-absorbed, cheeky moment.
I would've liked some more insight into Debbie & Lou's history as criminal partners. But yeah, the actresses are the big draw here and, they deliver. On the male front, James Corden is fun as a savvy Columbo-like insurance investigator. Elliolt Gould appears, briefly. And Richard Armitage - of The Hobbit fame - suitably executes the role of Debbie's smarmy ex-boyfriend. The Met Gala setting also offered up a plethora of cameo opportunities, as well. The likes of Anna Wintour, Heidi Klum, Katie Holmes, Olivia Munn, Kim Kardashian-West, the Jenner sisters, Gigi Hadid, Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova, and countless others are given moments/lines of dialogue to add to the story's authenticity. Dakota Fanning, Marlo Thomas & Elizabeth Ashley pop-up in small roles, too.
Visually, 'Ocean's 8' offers slick cinematography & fun set pieces. The costumes - both contemporary & the gowns at the Met Gala - are superb {maybe they can nab an Oscar Costume nomination later this yr.}. And aurally, the music feels ripped from any fun heist flick. Now, as mentioned above, 'Ocean's 8' is not some amazing, groundbreaking cinematic achievement. In fact, some might say that with a 'different' director & a 'better' script {with edgy plot incidentals & flashier dialogue}, this REALLY would've lit up critical reception more than it has; as is, it's been received well enough. After a snazzy first Act, much of the 2nd Act spins its wheels until the heist occurs early in the 3rd Act. From then on ‘til the end, 'Oceans' 8' is an adventurous, fun romp to enjoy. I do wish the film were better. All those actresses deserve the very best. But as is, it's simply a solid audience-pleaser with low stakes ... and boy, did the audience show up.
Debbie & Lou recruit an all-woman crew for the job: formerly-renowned Irish fashion designer, Rose Weil (lovably cooky Helena Bonham Carter, doing her best Vivian Westwood); expert computer hacker, "Nine Ball"/Leslie (pop star Rihanna); fence-turned-suburban housewife/mom, Tammy (the always enjoyable Sarah Paulson); con artist/pickpocket, Constance (rapper Awkwafina); and jewelry designer/gemologist, Amita (Mindy Kaling). Number "8" is this group's list actress Daphne Kluger (Anne Hathaway, hamming it up in a great way), who'll be wearing the necklace in question. The goal is to literally steal it off her neck – but what of all the security cameras, bodyguards, the magnetic clasp that makes it impossible to remove; and what of Daphne, herself? Also, why an all-women crew? Debbie notes, "A him gets notice ... a her gets ignored. And for once ... we'd like to be ignored". With the other women on-board, Debbie then works allllll the angles to ensure that the Toussaint necklace can be stolen without tipping-off the security detail Cartier has assigned to guard Daphne. Hijinks ensue.
Fun movie; especially once we finally get to the heist 2/3 of the way through. Bullock, Blanchett & the rest of the star-studded cast don't re-invent the wheel with this heist movie, but the ensemble's camaraderie & charisma makes this a fashionable, humorous, slick cinematic offering for the masses to check-out. Bullock is her usual funny self; and its fun watching her speak in German for a large portion of the heist. Blanchett is solid - if slightly underused - as her partner. Helena Bonham Carter is reliably nutty; spawning laughs in my screening. Rihanna is effective as the understated hacker who loves her daily toke. And it's amusing seeing her trade jokes with the likes of NY's Awkwafina; the pickpocket expert. Sarah Paulson is always good. Mindy Kaling is fine, but doesn't get much screen time. Best of all is Anne Hathaway, who pokes fun at her own real-life celebrity persona. She just kills it, here -- loved every self-absorbed, cheeky moment.
I would've liked some more insight into Debbie & Lou's history as criminal partners. But yeah, the actresses are the big draw here and, they deliver. On the male front, James Corden is fun as a savvy Columbo-like insurance investigator. Elliolt Gould appears, briefly. And Richard Armitage - of The Hobbit fame - suitably executes the role of Debbie's smarmy ex-boyfriend. The Met Gala setting also offered up a plethora of cameo opportunities, as well. The likes of Anna Wintour, Heidi Klum, Katie Holmes, Olivia Munn, Kim Kardashian-West, the Jenner sisters, Gigi Hadid, Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova, and countless others are given moments/lines of dialogue to add to the story's authenticity. Dakota Fanning, Marlo Thomas & Elizabeth Ashley pop-up in small roles, too.
Visually, 'Ocean's 8' offers slick cinematography & fun set pieces. The costumes - both contemporary & the gowns at the Met Gala - are superb {maybe they can nab an Oscar Costume nomination later this yr.}. And aurally, the music feels ripped from any fun heist flick. Now, as mentioned above, 'Ocean's 8' is not some amazing, groundbreaking cinematic achievement. In fact, some might say that with a 'different' director & a 'better' script {with edgy plot incidentals & flashier dialogue}, this REALLY would've lit up critical reception more than it has; as is, it's been received well enough. After a snazzy first Act, much of the 2nd Act spins its wheels until the heist occurs early in the 3rd Act. From then on ‘til the end, 'Oceans' 8' is an adventurous, fun romp to enjoy. I do wish the film were better. All those actresses deserve the very best. But as is, it's simply a solid audience-pleaser with low stakes ... and boy, did the audience show up.