Even after a couple of years after the 2016 reboot of Ghostbusters, audiences still seem to find an all-female adaptation, reboot or spinoff of Hollywood classics difficult to like. Clooney’s famous crime gang installment returns to the big screen with a whole new image for big money heists with an all-female cast.
Ocean’s 8 shows the bloodline of the legendary conman put into action in the heels of another member of the Ocean’s family. Danny Ocean’s sister, Debbie Ocean, along with her partner-in-crime Lou Miller, gather an all-female crew to create the biggest heist of their lives. Following a plan that took Debbie 5 years, 8 months, 12 days and counting to devise, the crew attempts to steal a Cartier necklace that’s worth more than $150 million dollars. An A-list cast of Sandra Bullock, Rihanna, Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter, Sarah Paulson, Awkwafina and Mindy Kaling add to this film more than just bling.
Though it has just been a couple of weeks since the film’s release, stars of the film are calling critics ‘unfair’ for judging the all-female gang for not being able to bring the excitement the way Clooney and pals did in the previous American heist films.
Gary Ross directs the all-female spinoff of the original Ocean’s trilogy by Steven Soderbergh, so the differences between the trilogy and Ocean’s 8 are clearly noted in the film. Though the spinoff lacks the big car chases, the face-to-face combats and the big action scenes, comparisons between films only serve to heighten Ocean’s 8 own, unique sparkle. They’re what make the film shine.
What makes Ocean’s 8 stand out over Soderbergh’s trilogy is representation of women. Each female of the gang uses their own qualities and talent for the successful execution of what could be considered to be America’s biggest heist.
The film leaves the audience with the final message of never underestimating women, especially when all eight prove that they are capable of bringing chaos to one of America’s most prestigious events: The Met Gala. From Rihanna’s outstanding hacking skills to Hathaway’s pure intuition, the crew ultimately overcomes all of the obstacles in their path in a whole new elegant, wicked style.
