Ocean's 8 (2018) Review
5:07 AM
Every con has its pros.
Ocean's 8 is directed by Gary Ross (The Hunger Games). The script was written by Ross and Olivia Milch (Dude). The 'eight' is comprised of Sandra Bullock (Miss Congeniality), Cate Blanchette (Carol), Anne Hathaway (Les Miserables), Mindy Kaling (The Mindy Project), Sarah Paulson (American Horror Story), Helena Bonham Carter (Harry Potter), Rihanna (Battleship) and Awkwafina (Bad Neighbours 2). "Debbie Ocean gathers an all-female crew to attempt an impossible heist at New York City's yearly Met Gala". After 2016's divisive and controversial Ghostbusters, will Ocean's 8 be the all-female reboot that pleases all?
Ocean's 8 is a stylish and fun heist movie. I have not seen the previous films in the franchise so cannot make a judgment on how it compares. However, what I can say is that Ocean's 8 is highly enjoyable and while it surprisingly lacks big laughs, it is cunning and smart. The cast is fantastic; there is not a weak link and each character brings something different and useful to the team. In terms of all-female reboots, I still prefer Ghostbusters because it was funnier and more ambitious, but Ocean's 8 does feel slightly more authentic and less gimmicky. Paul Feig focused on making a good female Ghostbusters movie whereas Gary Ross focuses on simply making a good Ocean's film. Both succeed(ed).
Ocean's 8's casting directors should be applauded because they have assembled a fantastic cast. These actors make the most out of Ross and Milch's script. Sanda Bullock and Anne Hathaway were my favourites. Not only is this the best Bullock has looked in years, but she gives a strong, fierce and assertive performance. In a film where it would be easy for an actor to be consumed in the ensemble, Bullock shines. Bullock's character, Debbie Ocean is the one who connects this entry with the others in the franchise - she is Danny Ocean's sister. Bullock was a great choice to lead the ensemble cast as she is arguably one of the most reliable and talented actors working today.
In contrast, it was going to be a lot easier for Hathaway to stand out as she is the only lead character who is not recruited to join the team. In this role, Hathaway returns to her acting roots; Daphne is a snobby air-head. Hathaway had some of the funniest moments; her performance is more extravagant and flamboyant than the rest of the cast. Hathaway's performance almost mirrors the caricature she has become in pop culture - a spoilt diva. Hopefully, this performance wins over some Hathaway haters as it proves how self-aware and tuned in she really is. In the third act, Daphne joins the team which was a pleasant surprise. Although some may guess and assume this from the marketing, it was a twist that I did not foresee and thought was well done - of course, Daphne would sense something fishy was going on!
Ross and Milch give each character their own quirk and skill. Considering this film introduces eight new characters, the character development is pretty impressive. Cate Blanchette's Lou is Debbie's long-time partner; there is good chemistry between Blanchett and Bullock. Lou's skills are quite vague but the audience can assume she is skilled in most areas as it is established she has done this many times before (we are introduced to her scamming vodka drinkers). This is another example of Blanchette experimenting with her role choices and she once again pulls it off. Helena Bonham Carter plays an outdated fashion designer. Her role requires an Irish accent which she maintains. This is probably Rihanna's best performance yet. She was still quite wooden at times but her acting career is moving in the right direction. Awkwafina had her fair share of comedic moments. Mindy Kaling was probably the most forgettable, but like everybody else, she still remained likable. Sarah Paulson was one of my favourites. This is the first time where Paulson has made a genuine impression on me (I forgot she was even in The Post).
In today's cinematic climate, a 'team' movie usually assembles a group of pre-established characters. With Ocean's 8, the first act of the film had to be spent uniting eight new characters. It would have been easy for the audience to fail to connect with the film whatsoever. However, Ross and Olivia spend enough time establishing Debbie (and linking her to the franchise as a whole) that the audience is excited and intrigued when the next seven members are introduced. The introductions do not feel rushed like in Suicide Squad, they move at a fast but suitable pace. The middle act is the weakest. The pace slows down as the team plan the heist. However, when the third act comes around, the film takes the fun to a whole new level. There is nothing particularly ambitious about the story; it does not add much to the Ocean's world. Some may argue that this film is unnecessary and I can understand that viewpoint. Ocean's 8 is light fun that does not take itself too seriously.
As they should be, the heists are the most entertaining sequences. The film begins with a montage of Debbie conning and scamming different establishments; she steals perfume from a department store and gets herself a "free" hotel room. This opening was fun and I wish it lasted longer. The MET Gala heist was even more enjoyable. This heist had many different stages which made the final act very engaging. Although some things seemed a little far-fetched (e.g. how Paulson's Tammy was easily able to get hold of a machine that replicates items), the heist was mostly well thought-out and believable. Once the first is concluded, a second heist is revealed which was a little fanciful. It felt like Ross and Milch put all of their writing energy into the first heist and crammed the second one in as a last thought. The second heist was an unexpected twist though so kudos to Ross and Milch for that. I also liked how Debbie got revenge on someone who wronged her.
Ocean's 8 is harmless, fun and swish film. However, it is problematic. Ross and Milch may steer away from reinforcing that this is an all-female team too many times, but the plot's setting and locations are a little too female-specific for this to be truly progressive. The film is about a group of women trying to rob jewels from the MET gala. Although the women only care about the monetary value of the jewels, it felt like the female characters were restricted to feminine locations. Key locations include the kitchen, the red carpet, the female toilets and a unisex toilet with a baby-changing unit. Ocean's 8 felt a little too restrictive. I'm sure these choices were made with female audiences in mind, but do Ross and Milch not realise that women can rob a casino too? It does not just have to be a fashion event.
Buying a ticket to see Ocean's 8 guarantees just under two hours of light-hearted fun. Although the film really is not that funny, Hathaway and Awkwafina do have some comedic moments. Not only is Hathaway funny, but her new-found self-awareness is welcome and she incorporates it well into her performance. Sandra Bullock leads the cast like a strong and sassy leader should and the rest of the cast does not disappoint. The story is mostly well-paced and the heists may be somewhat unrealistic, but they still feel smart, thrilling and a lot of fun. Ocean's 8 does not succeed in being a completely progressive film for female representation as the story is blatantly tailored to stereotypes of the female gender. The pros outweigh the cons.
Ocean's 8's casting directors should be applauded because they have assembled a fantastic cast. These actors make the most out of Ross and Milch's script. Sanda Bullock and Anne Hathaway were my favourites. Not only is this the best Bullock has looked in years, but she gives a strong, fierce and assertive performance. In a film where it would be easy for an actor to be consumed in the ensemble, Bullock shines. Bullock's character, Debbie Ocean is the one who connects this entry with the others in the franchise - she is Danny Ocean's sister. Bullock was a great choice to lead the ensemble cast as she is arguably one of the most reliable and talented actors working today.
In contrast, it was going to be a lot easier for Hathaway to stand out as she is the only lead character who is not recruited to join the team. In this role, Hathaway returns to her acting roots; Daphne is a snobby air-head. Hathaway had some of the funniest moments; her performance is more extravagant and flamboyant than the rest of the cast. Hathaway's performance almost mirrors the caricature she has become in pop culture - a spoilt diva. Hopefully, this performance wins over some Hathaway haters as it proves how self-aware and tuned in she really is. In the third act, Daphne joins the team which was a pleasant surprise. Although some may guess and assume this from the marketing, it was a twist that I did not foresee and thought was well done - of course, Daphne would sense something fishy was going on!
Ross and Milch give each character their own quirk and skill. Considering this film introduces eight new characters, the character development is pretty impressive. Cate Blanchette's Lou is Debbie's long-time partner; there is good chemistry between Blanchett and Bullock. Lou's skills are quite vague but the audience can assume she is skilled in most areas as it is established she has done this many times before (we are introduced to her scamming vodka drinkers). This is another example of Blanchette experimenting with her role choices and she once again pulls it off. Helena Bonham Carter plays an outdated fashion designer. Her role requires an Irish accent which she maintains. This is probably Rihanna's best performance yet. She was still quite wooden at times but her acting career is moving in the right direction. Awkwafina had her fair share of comedic moments. Mindy Kaling was probably the most forgettable, but like everybody else, she still remained likable. Sarah Paulson was one of my favourites. This is the first time where Paulson has made a genuine impression on me (I forgot she was even in The Post).
In today's cinematic climate, a 'team' movie usually assembles a group of pre-established characters. With Ocean's 8, the first act of the film had to be spent uniting eight new characters. It would have been easy for the audience to fail to connect with the film whatsoever. However, Ross and Olivia spend enough time establishing Debbie (and linking her to the franchise as a whole) that the audience is excited and intrigued when the next seven members are introduced. The introductions do not feel rushed like in Suicide Squad, they move at a fast but suitable pace. The middle act is the weakest. The pace slows down as the team plan the heist. However, when the third act comes around, the film takes the fun to a whole new level. There is nothing particularly ambitious about the story; it does not add much to the Ocean's world. Some may argue that this film is unnecessary and I can understand that viewpoint. Ocean's 8 is light fun that does not take itself too seriously.
As they should be, the heists are the most entertaining sequences. The film begins with a montage of Debbie conning and scamming different establishments; she steals perfume from a department store and gets herself a "free" hotel room. This opening was fun and I wish it lasted longer. The MET Gala heist was even more enjoyable. This heist had many different stages which made the final act very engaging. Although some things seemed a little far-fetched (e.g. how Paulson's Tammy was easily able to get hold of a machine that replicates items), the heist was mostly well thought-out and believable. Once the first is concluded, a second heist is revealed which was a little fanciful. It felt like Ross and Milch put all of their writing energy into the first heist and crammed the second one in as a last thought. The second heist was an unexpected twist though so kudos to Ross and Milch for that. I also liked how Debbie got revenge on someone who wronged her.
Ocean's 8 is harmless, fun and swish film. However, it is problematic. Ross and Milch may steer away from reinforcing that this is an all-female team too many times, but the plot's setting and locations are a little too female-specific for this to be truly progressive. The film is about a group of women trying to rob jewels from the MET gala. Although the women only care about the monetary value of the jewels, it felt like the female characters were restricted to feminine locations. Key locations include the kitchen, the red carpet, the female toilets and a unisex toilet with a baby-changing unit. Ocean's 8 felt a little too restrictive. I'm sure these choices were made with female audiences in mind, but do Ross and Milch not realise that women can rob a casino too? It does not just have to be a fashion event.
Buying a ticket to see Ocean's 8 guarantees just under two hours of light-hearted fun. Although the film really is not that funny, Hathaway and Awkwafina do have some comedic moments. Not only is Hathaway funny, but her new-found self-awareness is welcome and she incorporates it well into her performance. Sandra Bullock leads the cast like a strong and sassy leader should and the rest of the cast does not disappoint. The story is mostly well-paced and the heists may be somewhat unrealistic, but they still feel smart, thrilling and a lot of fun. Ocean's 8 does not succeed in being a completely progressive film for female representation as the story is blatantly tailored to stereotypes of the female gender. The pros outweigh the cons.
71
/100
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