watch oceans eight

Ocean’s 8 is an entertaining spinoff with its humorous spin on stereotypes, its talented female cast, and lots of sparkling glamour – making for an easy watch with casual viewing pleasure. Unfortunately, Gary Ross’ lifeless direction and unrefined script detract from its potential success.

This film follows Debbie Ocean (played by Georgia Clooney), as she recruits her own team for an ambitious Met Gala heist scheme.

Plot

After five years spent behind bars for an unaccountable murder she didn’t commit, charismatic con artist Debbie Ocean (Sandra Bullock) returns to New York City determined to pull off her greatest heist ever: taking possession of Cartier’s radiant Toussaint diamond necklace worn by famed actress Daphne Kluger at this year’s Met Gala and stealing it. To accomplish her task she must coordinate an all-female team composed of actors, jewelers, fashion designers, fences and hackers all working towards one goal – which they eventually achieve!

This film from director Steven Soderbergh features an all-female spin-off of his popular Ocean’s franchise with Sandra Bullock, Anne Hathaway, and Cate Blanchett as its star cast members. A fun heist flick with some amazing performances by all four women involved, it offers plenty of twists and turns throughout for viewers’ entertainment.

Bullock shines as Debbie Ocean, the estranged sister of George Clooney’s late Danny Ocean (played by George Clooney). With her raccoon eyes and pursed lips reminiscent of an hardened criminal who doesn’t take no for an answer, her character seeks revenge against Claude Becker (Claude Becker is an art gallery owner who helped facilitate Danny Ocean’s detention in jail).

Hathaway and Blanchett in particular don’t get much opportunity to create memorable characters that stand out. Ross and co-writer Olivia Milch give all of the women ample chances to shine; unfortunately they do not fully exploit or remember each woman’s talents or make them memorable enough.

Ocean’s Eight is an enjoyable heist film, though not quite up to its promise of gender celebration. Still, it is entertaining and worth your admission price; just don’t expect the same exhilaration as Oceans Eleven or Thirteen. Owen Gleiberman of Variety described Ocean’s Eight as “lingering most as an impressive gallery of role models – which I think is fair.”

Cast

Ocean’s Eight is making waves due to its incredible cast, featuring Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, Mindy Kaling, Sarah Paulson, Awkwafina and Rihanna – no surprise there! A spin-off from George Clooney’s Ocean’s Eleven franchise but without Danny Ocean himself (Sandra Bullock), Debbie Ocean (Sandra Bullock) recruited a squad of badass women led by Debbie Ocean (Sandra Bullock). They plan heist on fashion’s biggest night.

Gary Ross wrote and directed The Hunger Games movie trilogy’s third installment. As longtime collaborator of original series creator Steven Soderbergh, Ross worked to adapt an all-female heist formula into this project that “extended and expanded on what I have always enjoyed about this franchise”. Ross describes this project as an extension and continuation of what he loves about this series:

Gleiberman writes in Variety that the film is an entertaining, glamorous romp worthy of watching, with Bullock being particularly notable and “commanding at every turn”. Hathaway and Paulson were also highly commended, being described as possessing both skill and charm to form an irresistibly charming duo; unfortunately however, Blanchett and Awkwafina didn’t get much time to expand upon their characters beyond elite competency.

As the film takes place during the Met Gala, it should come as no surprise that various celebrity cameos will appear in it – from Kim Kardashian and Kendall Jenner to Serena Williams as well as designers Alexander Wang and Tommy Hilfiger making appearances and Anna Wintour making her own cameo!

Yet despite this impressive cast, Ocean’s 8 lacks much of the star power necessary to engage audiences fully. The plot never quite feels captivating enough, the heist feels mostly routine, and characters lack any remarkable personalities or motivations that we could identify with. At its core, it lacks firepower or charisma comparable to its male predecessors – yet still fun watching women pull off their plan in stylish costumes; their chances should not be wasted this time around!

Theme

After an entire summer of heroic heroes waging war on crime for the greater good, it’s refreshing to see a movie where its sole objective is to make its audience laugh at its female leads. Sandra Bullock stars as Debbie Ocean, Danny’s estranged younger sister and master con artist who wants to pull off an ambitious heist at the Met Gala with Lou, her former partner from their con team, in order to steal a Cartier diamond necklace worn by Daphne Kluger as her mark.

Debbie emerges from prison eager to make a name for herself as an expert of her craft. Together with Lou, Debbie quickly forms an all-women team: an Irish fashion designer (Helena Bonham Carter) owing millions in back taxes; an expert hacker (Rihanna); fence-turned suburban mom Tammy (Sarah Paulson); pickpocket/con artist Constance (Awkwafina); and gemologist Amita (Mindy Kaling). Although their abilities match those of their peers, the gang remain somewhat doubtful about whether or not they can pull off this heist successfully.

Though the women’s camaraderie adds some fun and comedy, it doesn’t bring anything new or thrilling to the franchise. Furthermore, its heist plot feels recycled from previous templates while any references to Danny Ocean and his team feel obligatory nods towards its legacy.

Ocean’s 8 is not your standard heist film; instead it stands out thanks to a few key factors that set it apart from its competition. First and foremost is its cast: comprised of highly talented actresses all having fun with the material, their conversations offering up both typical hustle talk as well as fashion/beauty related topics to add an air of freshness into proceedings.

Ocean’s 8 is an entertaining addition to the franchise, though perhaps not quite as fun or unpredictable as its predecessors or last year’s Logan Lucky. Still, watching it is a worthwhile way to spend an evening at the movies.

Overall

Although Ocean’s 8 may not live up to George Clooney’s original from 2001, it still delivers on all fronts and proves that films starring female leads don’t need to differ significantly from those featuring men. An incredible ensemble cast of talented actresses create a fun, stylish heist movie packed with humor and wit; but more importantly it proves that movies starring women don’t need to be any different from those featuring male leads.

The movie centers around Debbie Ocean (Sandra Bullock), an all-female team leader recruited by Debbie to steal a $150 million Cartier necklace from the Met Gala. Debbie recruits her old partner Lou (Cate Blanchett) as her main accomplice while Rose (Helena Bonham Carter), Tammy (Sarah Paulson), pickpocket/con artist Rose, Amita (Mindy Kaling), Nine Ball (Rihanna) and Constance (Awkwafina).

While this film may not have the polish or sophistication of its male predecessors, it still manages to offer plenty of entertainment value. Packed with seductive set pieces, cheeky queer undertones and rare girl power moments rarely seen elsewhere in Hollywood films, it makes an unforgettable viewing experience.

Director Gary Ross delivers an entertaining film with its quick pace and breathtaking action sequences. Additionally, there are outstanding performances by Anne Hathaway and Sandra Bullock which elevate this production further.

Ocean’s 8 is an entertaining summer blockbuster movie and provides welcome relief from this year’s deluge of superhero and CGI dinosaur films. A stylish heist film, it features some of Hollywood’s top talent.

Judgements about any film must take the entire context of its predecessors into account, but while this remake doesn’t reach the heights of George Clooney’s trilogy, it remains enjoyable and serves as an important reminder that female stars can produce entertaining films on their own merits. Additionally, it shows that remakes/reboots don’t need to be detrimental.

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