"If you're going to have a problem with stealing, then you're not going to like the rest of this conversation."
Debbie Ocean (Bullock) is a convicted thief. While serving five years in prison, she plans her next heist. She reconnects with her former partner-in-crime, Lou (Blanchett), to put the plan in motion. They are going to steal a $150 million dollar Cartier necklace, the Toussaint, from the Met Gala. To pull off they heist, they turn to old friends Amita (Kahling) and Tammy (Paulson) and recruit some new faces. Amita is a jewelry maker who wants to change her life. Tammy is now a stay-at-home mom, but used to be a talented fence. Rose Weil (Bonham Carter) is a disgraced fashion designer in massive debt. Constance (Awkwafina) is a street hustler and pickpocket and Nine Ball (Rihanna) is a hacker.
Actress Daphne Kluger (Hathaway) is the host of the Gala and she is their pawn in the heist. Rose is hired to design Daphne's dress and convinces her to request the Toussaint as her jewelry for the event. The necklace comes with an insurance agent, John Frazier (Corden), and a security detail, along with the security at the Gala. Can the ladies steal the necklace without getting caught?
The character of Danny Ocean was created for the 1960 Rat Pack movie Ocean's 11. In that film, Danny (played by Frank Sinatra), gathers his old Army buddies to rob five Las Vegas casinos. In 2001, Steven Soderbergh reimagined the film with George Clooney as Danny. In the 2001 Ocean's Eleven, Danny is a thief who gathers a team of criminals to rob a single Las Vegas casino. The film was a success and led to a sequel, Ocean's Twelve, in 2004, which reunited the cast and director and set the action in Europe. The made a third film, Ocean's Thirteen in 2007, that returned the franchise to Las Vegas. They did not want to make another film in the franchise, but Soderbergh expressed an interest in creating a spin-off with a female cast.
The Good:
The story and the heist are interesting. Like the other films in the franchise, it features an intricate plan and keeps you guessing. The characters are interesting and each get a moment to shine. Sandra Bullock is always good and this film is no exception. You believe that she is the mastermind here and takes up Clooney's mantle easily. Mindy Kahling and Awkwafina are great, I just wish they had slightly bigger parts. Anne Hathaway is great as the shallow socialite / actress.
The Bad:
Rihanna is not an actress. The character of Nine-Ball could be great in the hands of an actress, but here she just falls flat. She is the weak link in the film and just doesn't work.
Other Thoughts:
-The film features cameos by two members of the Soderbergh franchise. The cameos work and do not feel forced.
-The Gala features cameos by well-known fashion designers and icons, and the gowns are gorgeous.
-The film doesn't reinvent the genre, but it is an enjoyable film that fits into the world created by it's predecessors. I would be happy to see another Ocean's film with this cast (just replace Rhianna), but at this point there are no plans for a sequel.
Ocean's Eight (2018) 110 minutes
Rating: PG-13 for language, drug use, and some suggestive content
Director: Gary Ross
Starring: Sandra Bullock as Debbie Ocean
Cate Blanchett as Lou Miller
Anne Hathaway as Daphne Kluger
Mindy Kaling as Amita
Sarah Paulson as Tammy
Awkwafina as Constance
Rihanna as Nine Ball
Helena Bonham Carter as Rose Weil
Richard Armitage as Claude Becker
James Corden as John Frazier