Year: 2018
Director: Gary Ross
Starring: Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter, Mindy Kaling, Sarah Paulson, Rihanna, Awkwafina, Richard Armitage, and James Corden
Tagline: The plan is priceless.
Synopsis: Debbie Ocean and her crew attempt to pull off a jewel heist at the Met Gala.
Tagline: The plan is priceless.
Synopsis: Debbie Ocean and her crew attempt to pull off a jewel heist at the Met Gala.
Review
Although it's been a while since I've seen it, I quite enjoyed Ocean's 11. And I remember thinking Ocean's 12 and Ocean's 13 were reasonably fun heist films too. So I was looking forward to Ocean's 8.
So where does the film fall within the series? It's been so long since I've seen the previous two, but I'd say 8 is better than 12 and maybe on par with 13. But it just doesn't have the same panache as Ocean's 11. Like the necklace in the movie, the film is a really good copy, but it just doesn't hold up under closer inspection. It's got the look, but not the sparkle.
The heist itself is pretty well thought out and interesting. The film starts out a bit slow though as Debbie Ocean (Danny Ocean's equally larcenous sister) gets herself paroled, immediately breaks parole, and gathers her crew. Things pick up when we get to the actual heist. From there on my attention was held and I enjoyed watching things unfold.
Even though there are fewer characters in this film, it felt like we had less chance to get to know them, compared to Ocean's 11. Sandra Bullock's character is well done. And I liked both Helena Bonham Carter's and Anne Hathaway's characters. But the rest felt a bit flat and perhaps more like stock characters. James Corden (as an insurance investigator) is fun, but he has very little screen time.
As enjoyable as the heist is, I did find myself picking holes in some aspects of it, once the credits had rolled. When I was in the moment, I was able to suspend my disbelief ... mostly. But those holes left a bit of an aftertaste that dampened my overall enjoyment.
The film is rated PG-13 for some adult situations and for language.
If you are a fan of the Ocean's films, or just enjoy watching a clever heist film, I'd say go see Ocean's 8. It could have done more, but it was still an enjoyable time at the movies. I'm glad I saw it, though I don't know that I need to ever see it again. I do, however, want to go back and watch Ocean's 11.
*** Spoiler Section ***
The film has two twists. The first one isn't much of a twist though. The promotional material basically gives it away and I had it figured out before I even set foot in the theater. The second twist I didn't see coming, but then I also wasn't looking for it. That said, it isn't the least bit surprising. It is more of an, "Oh, well of course" kind of thing. But it makes for a nice wrap up at the end.
I'm really not sure the revenge plot would work or that the authorities wouldn't eventually piece everything together. The evidence they plant against Debbie's ex (Clive Becker) seems circumstantial. Any good lawyer would be able to point out all the holes in the story. He had only limited opportunity and very little means to logistically have pulled off the plot he is accused of.
Speaking of Becker, why doesn't he ever turn in Debbie for parole violation?
So where does the film fall within the series? It's been so long since I've seen the previous two, but I'd say 8 is better than 12 and maybe on par with 13. But it just doesn't have the same panache as Ocean's 11. Like the necklace in the movie, the film is a really good copy, but it just doesn't hold up under closer inspection. It's got the look, but not the sparkle.
The heist itself is pretty well thought out and interesting. The film starts out a bit slow though as Debbie Ocean (Danny Ocean's equally larcenous sister) gets herself paroled, immediately breaks parole, and gathers her crew. Things pick up when we get to the actual heist. From there on my attention was held and I enjoyed watching things unfold.
Even though there are fewer characters in this film, it felt like we had less chance to get to know them, compared to Ocean's 11. Sandra Bullock's character is well done. And I liked both Helena Bonham Carter's and Anne Hathaway's characters. But the rest felt a bit flat and perhaps more like stock characters. James Corden (as an insurance investigator) is fun, but he has very little screen time.
As enjoyable as the heist is, I did find myself picking holes in some aspects of it, once the credits had rolled. When I was in the moment, I was able to suspend my disbelief ... mostly. But those holes left a bit of an aftertaste that dampened my overall enjoyment.
The film is rated PG-13 for some adult situations and for language.
If you are a fan of the Ocean's films, or just enjoy watching a clever heist film, I'd say go see Ocean's 8. It could have done more, but it was still an enjoyable time at the movies. I'm glad I saw it, though I don't know that I need to ever see it again. I do, however, want to go back and watch Ocean's 11.
*** Spoiler Section ***
The film has two twists. The first one isn't much of a twist though. The promotional material basically gives it away and I had it figured out before I even set foot in the theater. The second twist I didn't see coming, but then I also wasn't looking for it. That said, it isn't the least bit surprising. It is more of an, "Oh, well of course" kind of thing. But it makes for a nice wrap up at the end.
I'm really not sure the revenge plot would work or that the authorities wouldn't eventually piece everything together. The evidence they plant against Debbie's ex (Clive Becker) seems circumstantial. Any good lawyer would be able to point out all the holes in the story. He had only limited opportunity and very little means to logistically have pulled off the plot he is accused of.
Speaking of Becker, why doesn't he ever turn in Debbie for parole violation?
Quotable Quotes
- "Why do you need to do this?" "Because it's what I'm good at." -- Lou and Debbie
- "These are all Russians." "They're hackers." "Are there hackers who aren't Russian?" "No. There's barely any Russians who aren't hackers." -- Debbie and Lou
- "How long would it take you to make seven pieces of jewelry?" "Five or six hours." "How long if I told you you didn't have to live with your mother any more?" "Less." -- Debbie and Amita
- "Is it genetic? Are the whole family like this?" "Literally." -- Frazier and Debbie
- "You would've loved it." -- Debbie
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