Ocean's 8

The dramatic shift toward gender equality in Hollywood is on full display with this all-female caper, spinning off of the massively successful (and fun) “Ocean’s Eleven” reboot trilogy. Unlike last year’s “Ghostbusters” reboot, “Ocean’s 8” is less about reboot, and more about being part four with an all (mostly) new cast. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a follow-up if the box office gives it the thumbs up, and I would bet some of our original members would jump at the chance. Of course, the numbers game is an obstacle, so we couldn’t add more than two of our old friends. I’d like to see the Casey Affleck and Scott Caan characters. “Ocean’s Ten?”

Danny Ocean (George Clooney) has a sister! Who knew? Debbie Ocean (Sandra Bullock) emerges from a stint in prison and immediately sets to work, orchestrating the all-female heist of the century. Hollywood starlet Daphne Kluger (Anne Hathaway) is wearing a $150 million dollar Cartier diamond necklace to a museum gala, and Debbie has a perfect plan to snatch it. Of course, there is elaborate high-tech scheming, subterfuge, improvisation, and celebrity cameos galore. What better way to show off the Kardashians than at a Gala? The team features Debbie’s right-hand woman, Lou (Cate Blanchett) who plays Pitt to Debbie’s Clooney. Sarah Paulson, Helena Bonham Carter, Rhianna, Mindy Kaling, and Awkwafina round out our octadic delinquents.

Writer/Director Gary Ross (“The Hunger Games”) manages to maintain the vibe of its predecessors with familiar music, some of Soderberg’s trademark split-screen scenes, and a sense of nonchalant coolness that made the first three films so enjoyable. Despite the stab at familiarity, these are all new characters, and although the introductions are done fairly quickly, we don’t ever really get to know who these women are, and that affects the enjoyment factor a bit.

I wanted more from Cate Blanchett. Her screen time seemed limited, and there must have been a reason, but the scenes with just her and Bullock were captivating. Hathaway delivered a very strong performance as well, and I would say the three of them carried this film over the hump of possible disaster, into mildly satisfying.

The story was nothing we haven’t seen before. In fact, plot-wise, it follows the formula of its predecessors and most heist films for that matter to a near-perfect cadence, but as an audience we can overlook those flaws because we love the suspense of shady deeds, secretly hoping the perpetrators will get away with it.

What is hard to overlook is the execution of their plan. The allure of the original “Ocean’s” films was the improbable, yet somewhat believable aspect. The thieves fearlessly overcome obstacles and narrowly avoid suspicion and capture. It was exhilarating and fun. “Ocean’s 8” misses that aspect of the story. Infiltrating a star-studded gala seems easy as pie for each and every member of the group. Nobody questions anything, and the security is inept and non-existence, never threatening to catch them.

As the film reaches its inevitable twist and climax, James Corden makes a welcome appearance as the insurance investigator called to work the case.

I can’t say the film wasn’t entertaining, but it lacked any bold moves or story arc deviations, and certainly had very little newness despite the fresh cast. They all fell into familiar archetypes, and Gary Ross and his team could have certainly done better.

“Ocean’s 8” stays afloat by way of the three leading ladies doing what they do best; strong acting. Everything else is filler, and you won’t be blown away, but you might find yourself missing the old crew of Clooney, Pitt, and Damon. In a good way. 6/10.