by Emma Smith, Reporter 

There was a time during the Golden Age of Hollywood when publicity agents would have plastered the word “Romp!” all over the the posters for Ocean’s 8. I think we should bring that word back, because a fun, exciting, well-acted romp is exactly what this movie is. A sequel to 2001’s Ocean’s 11, which was in turn a remake of 1960’s Ocean’s 11, the grifter spirit is alive and well in this jewel heist caper. 

The film’s pacing is nicely brisk, and Debbie Ocean (Sandra Bullock, Gravity)  and Lou (Cate Blanchett, Carol) guide us through the set up and assembly of the team with wit and charisma. Washed up designer Rose Weil (Helena Bonham Carter, Harry Potter series), quietly competent jeweler Amita (Mindy Kaling, The Mindy Project), magic fingered Constance (Awkwafina, Crazy Rich Asians), snarky hacker Nine Ball (Rihanna, Valerian), and ruthlessly efficient Tammy (Sarah Paulson, The Post) round out the official heist team. The story does a good job of balancing the skills and personalities, and the (relatively) smaller cast compared to previous movies in the Ocean franchise allows the film to spend a little more time with each character. The talent of the assembled case makes that time truly delightful. Despite the high level of talent, Anne Hathaway (Colossal) as less-dense-than-she-might-seem starlet Daphne Kluger is the true standout of the movie. Her satirical, self-aware take on the Hollywood stereotype, and perhaps her own reputation in the worse corners of the internet, is truly delightful. 

Sadly the plot and visuals of the film do not quite measure up to what Soderbergh did back in 2001. Gary Ross does a competent job, but Ocean’s 8 never achieves the zing of Ocean’s 11. The visuals are less interesting, with more time spent on lingering shots of the Metropolitan’s exhibits and the film’s fashion than the details of the con. The story also doesn’t give us high stakes. The eight women face  one easily solved hiccup and no real villain. Seeing the ins and outs of the planning is enjoyable, but there is not a lot of tension surrounding the actual theft itself. Still watching the planning and execution take shape plus the interactions between the cast are sufficiently entertaining to carry the film. Perhaps for the next Ocean’s movie, they should try seeing what a female director can do?

While the cast may be all women, the film doesn’t dwell on social commentary. Still some level of it is inescapable. At one point, Lou asks why Debbie is so set on a team of women. “A Him gets noticed, a Her gets ignored. And for once, we’d like to be ignored,” she responds. This premise is central to the con, but it’s also part of everyday life for half of the audience. It is strange, yet inevitable, that Ocean’s 8 requires an explanation for its all female heist team, something that would never have occurred to Danny Ocean in the equally gender-unbalanced Ocean’s 11. 

Overall, Ocean’s 8 is a fun summer movie, full of great performances and amusing details. It is worth a watch. You will walk out smiling. 

Rating:[4/5]
ComicsOnline gives Ocean’s 8 – 4 out of 5 surprise magnets.