Leveraging upon a tried and tested premise takes place often with the multitude of sequels and remakes. It is not often where a film has a stronger premise than the one that it is basing itself upon. Gary Ross’ Ocean’s 8 brings together a capable female cast ensemble to have a go at yet another high-stake heist.
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Leveraging upon a tried and tested premise takes place often with the multitude of sequels and remakes. It is not often where a film has a stronger premise than the one that it is basing itself upon. Gary Ross’ Ocean’s 8 brings together a capable female cast ensemble to have a go at yet another high-stake heist.
Everyone remembers the impeccably-paced Ocean’s Eleven that breezes through with wit and class. Crime and scams are typically not so enjoyable on the silver screen but Steven Soderbergh’s film in 2001 showed the audience that it can be done.
Featuring a great cast starring Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett and Anne Hathaway brings an even greater promise. Ocean’s 8 delivers adequately albeit in a linear narrative approach that may not be to some liking. Everything is depicted and developed over the film’s 100-minute running time like an open book. Ocean’s 8 should not need to explain itself to the audience.
Do not misunderstand the film however, as chemistry among its core cast members are likeable – an amazing feat how egos are managed. “Men always get noticed while women are ignored”, Debbie Ocean (Bullock) decides on the selection yardstick that presents an all-female team of eight (Bullock, Blanchett, Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter, Mindy Kaling, Rihanna, Sarah Paulson, Awkwafina). If it wasn’t crowded enough, viewers are also invited to spot the numerous brief celebrity cameo appearances through the film by the likes of Serena Williams, Katie Holmes, Kim Kardashian and Anna Wintour.
With a reputation to uphold, Debbie devises a heist that she feels her (apparently deceased) brother Danny Ocean would have liked. Despite being equipped with the latest technologies such as additive manufacturing (a.k.a. 3D printing) and smart glasses, one is reminded that a perfect masterplan still requires brilliance besides fancy toys.
All attention is on the 150 million dollars diamond necklace that had been hidden in an underground vault for decades – The Toussaint by Cartier. It doesn’t matter that a whole new generation cannot pronounce “Toussaint” or “Cartier” correctly. What matters is that the Toussaint literally stole the show and limelight as the team of 8 ladies attempt to steal it in the film. Perhaps this is why many would be genuinely surprised when the film reveals its ultimate trick hidden high up its sleeves just before the credit roll.
Is it too late to become the film’s saving grace? Maybe not. The linear exposition is intended for what it is supposed to do – a major distraction while the cast and crew execute their masterplan to blindside everyone and the audience. Ocean’s 8 is a long scam for its audience that only reveals itself to those who are patient enough to enjoy it at the very end.
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