All Hands on Deck
I haven’t seen the original Ocean’s trilogy so I am lucky that I didn’t have those expectations dawning over me as I watched the movie. With that, I did still feel there was something missing from the movie that kept it from being fully enjoyable. That’s not to say it’s not a ton of fun, but there are particular contrivances from other heist films that keep Ocean’s 8 from feeling unique and entertaining. Nonetheless, the film is able to fly by thanks to its outstanding cast and style and deliver a feasible enough summer movie for audiences to enjoy.
The film stars a star studded ensemble cast of Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Mindy Kaling, Helena Bonham Carter, Mindy Kaling, Anne Hathaway, Sarah Paulson, Awkwafina, and Rihanna. Each member serves a purpose to the film no matter how big or small. The main players here are Sandra Bullock’s Debbie Ocean and the object of their heist Anne Hathaway. Both of their performances feel sophisticated and sly which adds to some high entertainment value.
The rest of the cast members are all entertaining to watch in their own right, my only complaint is that I didn’t feel I saw enough of them. You understand why each one was needed for the heist they have to pull off, but there really isn’t any character or personality to most of them making them a little one dimensional. Again the ones with the most development are Sandra Bullock and Anne Hathaway, and they definitely do enough to carry the movie I just wish I could have seen more from the others.
The heist they go on is fairly simple: stealing a diamond necklace from a famous celebrity and sell it for a ton of cash. They way they go about the mission is filmed with enough style and cleverness to make their plight engaging. Each member gets a time to shine and it is interesting to see it all play out.
But the heist also lacks stakes and tension making their mission seem too easy. There are no real obstacles or challenges they face making the entire operation feel convenient. For every apparent obstacle that may cause the team to rethink their plan, it is revealed that they already planned for it. I like seeing that they are smart enough to overcome any problem, but it is more interesting for me to see our characters struggle to make the outcome feel truly earned.
The movie moves along fairly quickly providing good enough pacing between the planning of the heist and the actual execution of it. The style and presentation of it definitely helps the movie and make it feel organic and investing to watch. But at the end of the day, there wasn’t enough development and emotional connection to the characters that make it truly immerseful and tense to watch.
Ocean’s 8 definitely has an impressive cast that is fun to watch and connect with through the film. The mission they go on feels simple enough that make a great first outing for them to be put on. But I really didn’t feel I got to know the characters enough or see them struggle enough to make this full rounded three dimensional movie it could have been. There is some great moments and entertainment value to the movie, but it doesn’t feel fresh or entirely exciting. I’d be interested to see if Ocean’s 11 followed the similar path, but suffice to say if they continue with the same cast for the franchise I am on board.
Raj Reviews 