NOTE: This film is a spin-off of the new rebooted Ocean's 11 movie franchise starring Geroge Clooney. While I am aware of the very original film starring Frank Sinatra, I will not be making any references or comparisons to that movie. Mainly because, as of this writing, I have not yet seen the Frank Sinatra film, and Ocean's 8 does not seem to draw any similarities to that movie. Any and all comparisons made to Ocean's 11 in this review will be drawn from the rebooted George Clooney movies only.
A YouTuber personality I regularly watch once said: "Everything is a remix, originality is so overrated." At first, I didn't really understand what he meant. It sounded to me as though he didn't really care for originality. However, over time, I realized what he really said: There really isn't such a thing as pure originality, but instead there are countless ways to take something familiar and make it feel fresh. People have been taking familiar stories, characters, and styles, and have been finding new and inventive ways to make them attractive again. While Ocean's 8 doesn't hit that mark entirely for reasons I will explain momentarily, it runs the center of the target just close enough to earn itself a proper place in high regard. It's a nostalgia trip with some new tour guides, and it's incredible.
The story follows Debbie Ocean (Sandra Bullock), sister of Danny Ocean from Ocean's 11, who has just been released after five years in prison. Just like her brother (who has passed away), she is a top-notch Con Artist. Anxious to get back to work she meets up with her best friend Lou (Cate Blanchett) and presents her brilliant plan for the greatest jewelry heist in history. She plans to steal a rare diamond necklace from Cartier worth well over one hundred and fifty million dollars. The two women quickly put together a team (all women) of various talents to put the plan in motion. As the story progresses, there are hints that there is another motivation for the heist, which has the potential to compromise the whole affair. Will they succeed in their endeavor? You'll have to find out for yourself.
What makes this movie work is the characters and the script. Everyone on the team, despite being criminals, are likable, entertaining, and funny. Everyone gets a moment to shine and play with the opportunity to either play a role they don't get to play very often or poke fun at the kinds of parts they usually get. It's an actors movie where the whole cast gets to be cool, funny, and very slick. The script is excellent and surprising. There are moments of wit and cleverness I surprisingly didn't see coming. Even though I knew there was going to be some kind of twist at the end, having seen many heist films like this before, I was still genuinely surprised when it happened. Both of these elements make for a fun time at the movies.
The only real nitpick I have with the movie is that it is too similar to the original Ocean's 11 with George Clooney. It almost follows the exact same story beat for beat from beginning to end. Honestly, the only thing that keeps this movie from being a complete remake or another reboot is the fact that they establish the story is taking place after the previous Ocean's films. While this kind of repetition would typically make a movie feel stale and creatively bankrupt, this movie succeeds in transcending that issue with its overall quality and charm. It's almost like the film took me aside and said: "Hey, we know we're not doing a whole lot of new stuff here, so we're gonna make sure we still do it in our own way to stand out more." In other words, it's familiar, but still very different.
Ocean's 8 is the kind of movie that makes you aware of its roots, reminds you why you liked the original in the first place, and then proceeds to make you love it all over again by providing a new perspective on it. It is the cinematic equivalent of painting your bedroom a new color. It's the same room, but it feels different, and you love it, maybe even more so than before. This is one con you definitely should check out.
Is this movie worth seeing?
Yes.
Is it worth seeing in theaters?
Yes.
Why?
It's a sleek, smart, fun, and long overdue new take on a familiar franchise.
Ladies & gentlemen, I am TheNorm, thank you for reading.
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