Based on the Rat Pack film from 1960, the Ocean’s franchise began in 2001 with George Clooney, Matt Damon and Brad Pitt as the stars of the heist trilogy. On June 5 this year, exactly 11 years after the release of Ocean’s Thirteen, the all-female cast spinoff directed by Gary Ross, Ocean’s 8, hit the theaters. The powerhouse cast includes Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter, Rihanna, Mindy Kaling, Sarah Paulson and Awkwafina.
Just WOW.

Bullock plays Debbie Ocean, the estranged sister of the late Danny Ocean from the original trilogy, who is freshly released from her five-year, eight-month, 12-day incarceration. Released on good behavior only after she spent her prison days quietly developing the grandest heist of her life, Miss Ocean wastes no time assembling and recruiting the perfect team of women con artists to pull off her complex plans.

Blanchett, playing the intimidatingly beautiful and authoritative Lou, is the first and key partner in Debbie’s team. They clearly have a history and are very close friends. Together, they enlist an eccentric and bankrupt fashion designer (Rose Weil, played by Helena Bonham Carter), an eager-to-leave-home jewelry maker (Amita, played by Mindy Kaling), a scary-good computer hacker who goes by Nine Ball (played by Rihanna), a predictably unpredictable street hustler and pickpocket (Constance, played by Awkwafina), and the thief-turned-stay-at-home-mom who reluctantly leaves her family for a “work trip” (Tammy, played by Sarah Paulson). If you’re keeping count, you’ll notice that is only seven women on this team of criminals, but you’ll have to watch the movie to see who becomes Ocean’s eighth.

This unlikely but perfectly matched team sets out to steal the $150 million Cartier diamond necklace, named the Toussaint, which the squad cleverly orchestrate being worn by actress Daphne Kluger (played by Anne Hathaway) at the upcoming Met Gala. Their elaborate campaign is met with unexpected flaws (as expected), but the movie has plenty of comedy and enough unanticipated twists toward the end that keep the audience engaged.

Elaine: I LOVED IT! I’ve been a huge Sandra Bullock fan since before I met you, Aaron, so I’ve been excited about this movie since the moment I heard about it! I thought it was clever, beautiful, funny, and oh, so glamorous!!! The elegant and sexy dresses and outfits, the unbelievably crafted jewelry, the spot-on hair and makeup all had me drooling and grinning the whole time!

Aaron: I didn’t know what to think. I assumed it was just Hollywood trying another reboot with an all-female cast. Like they tried with Ghostbusters. I was pleasantly surprised with the premise and flow of the movie. I didn’t feel like it was a remake just for the sake of a remake. Sure, it’s the same old heist movie plot, but it was so fun.

E: It definitely wasn’t a reboot – it’s a clever sequel taking place a decade later. I’ve always felt a little weird about enjoying a movie where I am rooting for the success of a criminal or villain. But, to take it in just for entertainment’s sake, I truly enjoyed it.

A: Haha. I see your point, but I didn’t really feel like it sent a wrong message. This was a plan so audacious and elaborate that no one could actually pull it off. These aren’t just eight women holding up gas stations.

E: Definitely. Well said – it really was audacious and elaborate! As far as performances go, I think the actress who surprised me the most was Anne Hathaway. I know you’re not a fan of her, and I wouldn’t go as far as saying I’m a fan, either, but I do enjoy almost every movie she’s been in. THIS performance, however, was her very best. I was so impressed with her! She was a lot of fun to watch in this!

A: Could not agree more with that. Anne was in rare form. True, she’s not my favorite actress, but it was so fun to see her play a snobby, yet very accessible, Hollywood mega-star. You can tell she just had fun with the roll. I thought they all did very well in their parts. Cate Blanchett with an American accent, Helena Bonham Carter, who is English but had an Irish accent here, Rihanna was Jamaican, I believe. Just a lot of fun.

E: I loved the chemistry between Bullock and Blanchett. Those two are undeniably two of the most talented women in Hollywood. I feel that, together, those two could accomplish anything, on or off screen.

A: Yes, they are amazing. They did a great job with what they had to do. The plot wasn’t overly complex, which was nice because I wasn’t in the mood to take notes and try to follow along too much. Things happen, and fun follows. It did seem a little too easy, but Sandra’s character had five years of prison to work out the details in her mind. Some of the supporting cast could have had more value and screen time, but overall I had a lot of fun with this movie. 100% would watch again!

E: Yeah, not a movie you want to overthink on the details, kind of like watching National Treasure, just go and enjoy it. I already want to see it again and want to buy it on Blu-ray! I’ll add it to my Sandra library. Can’t wait for Ocean’s 9!