Ocean’s 8 | 3 out of 4 Stars
By Kyle Osborne
It’s hard to get mad at a film with such low ambitions—Ocean’s 8 only wants to be a light and fluffy summer flick, and on that score it succeeds. It’s fun and breezy and pass the popcorn.
Sandra Bullock plays Debbie-the sister of Danny Ocean, who was played by George Clooney in the Ocean’s trilogy of films in the 2000s (the original Ocean’s 11 was, of course, a rat pack confection from 1960).
As the movie begins, Bullock is just getting out of prison after a 5-year stint, and she wastes no time in putting together a heist that she’s been refining in her head for all those years. Following the formula of this franchise and many others, she sets about assembling a team of fellow crooks and cons to pull off a serious diamond heist. The idea is that they will steal a 150 million dollar necklace right off the neck of an actress (Anne Hathaway steals the show with a self-referential take on a Hollywood starlet) at the annual Met Gala, which is a real thing, as you’ll remember, with lots of fabulous stars from the fashion and entertainment industries, several of whom make quick cameos.
If the movie takes too long to set up with the obligatory character intros, at least it kicks into gear during the “crime” before making a too soft landing at the end. Still, any time you can see Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Rihanna, Mindy Kaling and Helena Bonnham-Carter together, you’re winning. Throw in rising star Awkwafina, Sarah Paulsen and a third act appearance by James Corden and you’re cooking with gas.
The movie never takes itself too seriously—we can see that the cast is all-female and that in itself is something of a statement in these times—the movie wisely doesn’t beat us over the head with “messaging” when entertaining audiences is its purpose, a good choice that pays off.
If you want to have fun and crack a few smiles, you could do a lot worse. Ocean’s 8 is good enough to make you hope for a sequel with this crew.
Ocean’s 8 is rated PG-13, runs about 2 hours. Please read my story about the time Sandra Bullock’s mom called me-the story pertains to a nice tribute paid to her in Ocean’s 8. When Sandy’s Mom Called