“Ocean’s 8” is good. But it’s just not “Ocean’s 11” good.
There are are both negatives and positives to that sentiment.
“Ocean’s 8” was supposed to be different from “Ocean’s 11,” but still follow the same general rule for a widely-successful heist movie: band together a number of skilled thieves, roll beautiful footage of luxury, throw in a few moments of comedy and steal what was meant to be stolen. All this is done with mostly ease and a second or two of “can they do it?”
This was done with the original “Ocean’s 11” featuring the Rat Pack in the early ‘60s. Writers followed the formula with all three “Ocean’s 11” films from 2001 to 2007. And the formula, for the most part, succeeded with “Ocean’s 8.”
The thing is, “Ocean’s 8” wasn’t different enough and it didn’t get the dazzle its cast of brilliant stars deserved. But, that’s what kept this film alive and pretty successful at the box office, starring — in no particular order because they are all great in their own respect — Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Rihanna, Anne Hathaway, Sarah Paulson, Mindy Kaling, Awkwafina and Helena Bonham Carter.
The film starts out in true “Ocean’s” fashion with Debbie Ocean, played by Bullock, leaving jail and still looking like she spent the day relaxing — much like George Clooney did in the first “Ocean’s 11” installment.
Because she’s an Ocean, her thirst for thievery and a good heist still prevails. The years she spent in prison were essential in planning the pinnacle of all heists — stealing millions of dollars of jewelry at the annual Met Gala, right from under the nose of every hot celebrity in the world.
So, just like Danny, Debbie puts together a gang of women who all happen to be lovely, yet highly skilled in the art of thievery.
This film does nearly everything right. It has a good cast, a few noticeable but not too “in your face” cameos and a flare for fun musical interludes. But, plot-wise, it feels like less went into the making of this film than other installments of the series. It might be seen in the money spent on the film, which was $15 million less than the $85 million that went into making “Ocean’s 11.”
The heist itself was a good one. There was little room for error in the group’s devious plan. But, that’s what originally made the “Ocean’s 11” movies so intriguing. The film kept viewers wondering, “Will they pull this off?”
Maybe it’s because we have full faith in the heist when the cast is comprised of all women. But, there was no “ahh” moment. The women didn’t line up in front of the Bellagio fountains sighing a breath of relief and millions of dollars richer.
“Ocean’s 8” may not have needed a more intricate, treacherous heist. It may not have needed a bigger budget than its original cohorts. But, “Ocean’s 8” deserved an “ahh” moment — it deserved its moment in front of the Bellagio fountain.
Even if “Ocean’s 8” isn’t the most memorable of all the installments, spinoffs and remakes, it really does add a flare of fun. In an effort to make the all-female film a lasting piece of Hollywood history, “Ocean’s 8” needed a little less sparkle and a bit more care.
Hailey Stewart can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter at @Hailey_ann97