Review of Ocean's Eight (2018) by Jeremy B — 07 Jun 2018

In 1979 Cindi Lauper sang "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" and in "Ocean's 8" they do and, as an added benefit, so does the audience. The first "Ocean's 11" took place in 1960 and the remake in 2001 so it only took 58 years for the females to have their own caper. As the other Ocean films, this revolves around a heist, in this case of a diamond necklace worth over $150 million and, as in those films you really don't have to follow all the ins and outs of the heist. Sit back, relax, enjoy watching the women, leave your logic at the door and don't nick-pick at the holes in the story or wonder at some scenes that never would have been in the male versions.

All 8 women have a particular job to do regarding the heist though one who has not been recruited figures what is going on and joins in. The heist takes place at the Metropolitan Museum of Art yearly Gala to raise funds where the stage, movie and social stars attend dressed to the nines and costumer Sarah Edwards does a great job of putting the stars in outstanding, mostly hug fitting, evening gowns. Aside from filming at the Metropolitan, we get to go into the Plaza Hotel, Bergdorf Goodman's department store along with Cartier's jewelry store including their underground vault. Also, there are famous people making cameos throughout the movie.

Regarding the stars, Cate Blanchett makes the biggest impression followed by a funny turn by Awkwafina and I wish she had loaned some of her playfulness to Sandra Bullock who gives a straight and unplayful performance which doesn't belong in an "Ocean's" movie. On the other hand, Helena Bonham Carter goes too far with her character. Anne Hathaway plays a vain movie star to the nth degree while Mindy Kaling, Sarah Paulson and Rihanna all come through with just the right attitudes and performances.

Along with the women, there are two major roles by men one being Richard Armitage and the other James Corden The latter offers a few laughs as an insurance adjuster and the former as 'eye candy'. The problem is that Armitage's role/story in the movie is one that never would have been allowed in any of the other Ocean films with a woman being the eye candy and the aim of revenge.

Oh, one spoiler, Danny Ocean (George Clooney) is dead but you find that out at the beginning.

"Ocean's 8" is the second movie within 2 weeks, the other being "Book Club", that focused on women being the stars and delivering the goods. In both, you know what to expect walking in and you aren't disappointed but now it is time to give us a movie, or movies, starring casts of women where men are the followers or eye candy or are 'just' the husbands, boyfriends, etc.