George Clooney and his partner, Stephen Soderburgh, aren’t ready to give up on the Ocean’s franchise they resurrected earlier this century from the early 1960s “Rat Pack.” I’m glad. The latest iteration features an all-star female cast (perfectly timed with the #MeToo movement). Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., Peter Lawford, Dean Martin, Richard Conte, Norman Fell, Joey Bishop and the rest of the original gang would be proud.
Ocean’s 8 (Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Sarah Paulson, Anne Hathaway, Mindy Kaling, Rihanna, Awkwafina, Helena Bonham Carter) – There is nothing new in Ocean’s 8. Thank Goodness. The all female cast of Ocean’s 8 picks up where George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon and the gang left off in the tremendously successful Ocean’s franchise.
Sandra Bullock plays Danny Ocean’s (Clooney’s) sister, Debbie, who gets released from prison and promises to stay on the straight and narrow just like her brother did. But we know better (or else there wouldn’t be a movie). She reconnects with her buddy, Lou (Cate Blanchett), to pull off a big jewelry heist at the Met Gala in New York. They recruit others with special expertise in a variety of pursuits. These characters are played by a mostly famous array of actresses: Sarah Paulson, Mindy Kaling, Helena Bonham Carter plus unknown actress Awkwafina (I just drank a bottle), and SURPRISE, rock legend Rihanna.
Their goal is to steal an enormous necklace worth hundreds of millions of dollars worn by superstar, Daphne Kluger (Anne Hathaway), who is wearing them on loan from Cartier. It’s impossible! But not for Ocean’s 8. What ensues is pure movie heist: sleight of hand, seemingly merry mix-ups, cameos (you’ll enjoy searching for famous people), and an audience “sting” or two.
It is all good fun, just like Ocean’s 11(12was not as good, 13 was better). Other than showing some aging, these A-list actresses pull it off with aplomb and just the right amount of parody. Especially noteworthy is Helena Bonham Carter, who remains the most funny-looking, oddly appealing, talented international superstar of the last two decades. Rihanna, in her movie debut, is passable as a tech wizard. Cate Blanchett shows all of the range we have enjoyed as moviegoers in such varied roles as Bandits, Carol, Elizabeth, Blue Jasmine, Notes on a Scandal and The Good German (with Clooney). The enormously talented Sarah Paulson and Mindy Kaling are a bit wasted here while Anne Hathaway and Sandy Bullock are just what you expect when they turn on their comedic acting chops.
Ocean’s 8 is a reliable, fun summer heist flick with enough appeal for men and women alike with a heavy dose of fashion and star power. And in case you heard that Matt Damon has a cameo, he doesn’t. His comments during the emerging #MeToo movement got him bumped out of the summer’s premier smart comedy.