Manny Delacruz

Sandra Bullock plays Danny Ocean’s sister, newly released from prison and determined to collect a payday whilst framing the ex who framed her. Right away, she brings in a mishmash of former gal pals with the skills to execute her plan, all while looking fabulous in heels. Unfortunately, not a single one of them has a sense of humor, and the witty banter that dominated the earlier movies is in short supply. There is a grimness to everyone’s acting, a “soldiering on” that is oddly mixed with a glamorous smoldering when everyone is done up. I’m not sure who this movie’s demographic is. While earlier movies in the franchise had broad appeal, this one feels a tad forced, a feminist declaration that “women can be smart bad guys too, people!” Without any hiccups, or even the chance of a potential antagonist, the heist goes off without a hitch - no last minute improvisation required. In short, boring. Predictable, actually. If you forget that three other movies starring George Clooney ever existed (never mind the 1960 classic starring Frank Sinatra) you still couldn’t mistake Oceans 8 for an original idea. If you’ve never seen this movie before, and go in with low expectations, you won’t be disappointed.