Ocean’s 8 — 3.5 Gavels 69% Rotten Tomatoes 54% Audience

There was a reason that an Ocean’s 14 was never made.  While better than Ocean’s 12, Ocean’s 8 is solid but not spectacular, especially given the talented cast.  As indicated by the audience score above, it just doesn’t have any zip to it, at least until James Corden is brought in to investigate the heist.  He was on the screen for all too short a time and got most of the good lines.  I checked to make sure that he didn’t get a writing credit.  At a budget of $70 million, it is projected to make $42 million this weekend.  It is duly noted that the movie packed in a solid crowd for my Saturday afternoon viewing.

Debbie Ocean, sister to now deceased Danny Ocean, has been plotting a jewel heist for five years while in prison.  We find out that she was set up by her partner and she is out for money and revenge.  Given parole, Debbie immediately returns to her criminal ways and begins to put together a team to steal a necklace from Cartier that has been in their vault for 50 years. When a male is suggested for one of the team members, Debbie wants only women because they are less likely to be “noticed.”  The plan is to steal a $150 million necklace off the neck of a celebrity actress at the annual, exclusive Met gala.

Sandra Bullock is Debbie Ocean, the mastermind of the operation.  Cate Blanchett (Lou) is another former partner who supplies logistical support.  Anne Hathaway (Daphne) is the vain celebrity who has a few tricks of her own.  Mindy Kaling, Sarah Paulson, Awkwafina, Rihanna, and Helena Bonham Carter are the final members who provide various skills to the operation.  You will also see many other celebrities in the movie, mostly at the gala.

Besides Corden, the real star of the movie is the Met.  You see the museum and a few pieces of art and it looks FABULOUS.  That alone was probably worth the price of the movie ticket.  Overall, it is a good piece of summer fun and, given the alternatives, worthwhile.  Still, you get the impression that something is missing, not just the necklace.  And, it is that something that keeps it from being a must-see.  Only 13 more days until Jurassic World and dinosaurs.  Like cute kids and furry animals, nothing packs ’em in like the raptors.  Got your ticket yet?