Wednesday 20 June 2018

REVIEW: OCEANS 8

4/5

The Eighth Wonder Of The Girl.

110 Mins. Starring: Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, Sarah Paulson, Mindy Kaling, Rihanna, Awkwafina, Richard Armitage, James Corden & Helena Bonham Carter. Director: Gary Ross.

Luck is more than a lady today. And with the men gone, the con is back on in a big way. Here's eight reasons to watch the most stylishly compelling, smart blockbuster of the year, 'Oceans 8' in cinemas now.

1...Sandra Bullock. As soon as the Soderbergh spilt-screens come into play and the 'Orange Is The New Black' bracelets come off, as she strolls out the clink in the same dress she came in with to the winding strumming of Old Blue Eyes' daughter Nancy Sinatra's 'These Boots Were Made For Walking'. To be Frank you know Sandra Bullock is going to walk all over and away with this. Oozing charisma and charm and with a lollipop 'Proposal' even Ryan Reynolds couldn't refuse, 'The Heat' is on for the 'Speed', world famous actress who shows she has the 'Gravity' and the gravitas not to step into astronaut co-star George Clooney's dress shoes, but stand next to him, heel to toe as Danny Ocean's long lost sister, Debbie. Running the show and olive toasting a shaken Martini to his stirring legacy that she's about to drink to with her own twist.

2...Cate Blanchett. Everyone needs a Pitt like partner in crime, leading the show. But who needs a Brad cameo when his vanishing one in 'Deadpool 2' is so hilariously good and you have the greatest, hardest working actress in Hollywood right now, not called Jessica Chastain in the game? Smouldering with smoky, rock star chic and band t-shirts under Aerosmith Tyler leopard print or suit jackets, the 'Blue Jasmine' Oscar winner and 'Carol' herself goes all 'Atomic Blonde' bob with peroxide power. The ever versatile as a character blank slate, Blanchett who played a Godess of a best Marvel villain in the down under 'Thor-Ragnarok' and more personalities than 'Split' in last years 'Manifesto' adds another front page to her catalogue collection. What more could you expect from a woman in 'I'm Not There' who alongside the likes of Richard Gere, best Batman, Christian Bale and Joker icon, Heath Ledger played the best and most lifelike version of Bob Dylan himself? Blonde on blonde she does it just like a wonder woman.

3...Mindy Kaling. Stepping out 'The Office', Mindy joins this project with an eye for the jewels as these queens take more than knight. They own the New York night. Or the marvellous Met in a Gala of gorgeous, graceful gowns. And Kaling is king at telling the difference between what's a girls best friend...and what's merely zirconia. To the cubic inch under any spotlight or 'Wrinkle In Time' this is a diamond of a performance for Mindy's best year at the movies.

4...Sarah Paulson. 'Marcia. Marcia. Marcia'. 'The People vs O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story' and 'American Horror Story' star standout refuses to be a stay at home, watch herself on the T.V. mom. She's aholic for more than shopping too, even if her garage looks like prime real estate for an Amazon warehouse. Paulson is the pulse of this picture and outfit. Puncuating any moment she's in like the top Twitter trending Met Gala dress like hashtag, blessed.

5. Rihanna. Speaking of which, usually the best dressed at the Met, Rihanna shall go to the ball, but via a van in the back alley. As the 'Diamonds' singer shines bright behind the keys on this jewel heist, as a laptop and tech-wiz who hacks into everything like she was a sidekick to Sandra in 'The Net'. After a crazy, constant costume change cameo in last years 'Valerian-And The City Of A Thousand Planets', a sinking 'Battleship' boom and a down to earth lead in the Dreamworks 'Home', Bad Girl RiRi finds her place here amongst this band of sisters. Pocketing her 9-Ball character from the break with the coolest mouse in New Rat City. Dread locked in and as N.Y. as yellow cabs running over steaming grids.

6...Awkwafina. Hip-Hop and 'Crazy Rich Asians' star Awkwafina (who you may remember from being one of Chloe Grace-Moretz's girls next door in 'Neighbours 2: Sorority Rising') is about to blow up. No! Correction, before what should be one of the biggest, cult hits of the year in 'Crazy Rich', Awkwafina has already brought the boom off the board here. Stealing the show and your watch...awkward.

7...Helena Bonham Carter. You couldn't hold this deck of cards without the real queen of hearts however. And legends don't come much bigger, better or with more cinematic credentials than Great Brit Helena Bonham Carter. She's played Queen Elizabeth, Elizabeth Taylor and the greatest character in every Burton picture. And now tailor-made as a fashion designer somewhere between Vivienne Westwood and Kate Spade (Rest Peacefully), she stitches up one of her best and most personal roles yet. Wearing this one like and with the confidence of her own one of a sublime kind style.

8...Anne Hathaway. But with all the confidence tricks here, Catwoman Anne Hathaway in diamonds and furs may just be the steal here. 'The Princess Bride' and 'Devil Wears Prada' 'Intern' fashions her own Streep streak here with a 'Colossal' performance. The white queen to 'Alice In Wonderland' co-star Carter's red one is Cartier dressed up by Helena herself. But she owns everything she dons from the pearls to the heels as she acts like she walks a permanent red carpet and model celebrity, parody plays everything up perfectly. One scene where she reacts to a three, six-figure necklace like an infamous, iconic scene from 'When Harry Met Sally' ("I'll have what she's wearing") is priceless. But rolling out more than casino red, 'Hunger Games' director Gary Ross feasts on Steven Soderbergh's signature style with the best 'Oceans' film since the dialled to 'Eleven' remake classic ('Thirteen' was a lucky dip tribute. 'Twelve' was an extended perfume ad). All the chips are down as even 'Hobbit' dwarf Richard Armitage grows up to a pathetic playboy, man-child but perfect villain and 'Late, Late Show' adopted American James Corden comes in with his best Ricky Gervais impression. Not to mention a crazy, who's who roll call of classy cameos in this funny and fun film. Even if one teased one in this tense affair never comes to the light of day like a cut Matt Damon appearance (to be fair from 'Ragnarok' to maybe even 'Deadpool 2' too, he's done enough), in this twist a minute caper for the cape and tights generation. And of course the city that never sleeps New York, New York from the bridge of Brooklyn to Freedom is a character itself so much so we have to say it twice. And of course the city that never sleeps New York, New York from the bridge of Brooklyn to Freedom is a character itself so much so we have to say it twice...you get the idea. We could do this all day. And 'Oceans 8' is a job you'll love so much you won't be able to wait to go back to work. Whether to tell, or to sell. Those wondering whether '8' would be great need to not be afraid of the worth of a woman's work reboot. Like the proton powered, unjustly underrated 'Ghostbuster' of this time two years ago. Or the buzz of a Marvel headlining Wasp flying with Ant-Man's latest heist this scorching summer with a sting.

Need a ninth reason? Or a tenth? Expect this sequel/reboot hybrid dressed up as a prequel to trilogy add up to the new millennium original 11 like the Rat Pack. Just grab a Metro card and hang with their N.Y.C. subway car success trip, victory lap ensemble assemble, reminiscent of the Bellagio fountain victory stream of Clooney and company. This slick hit is no lake by the ocean. It's a whole new current. Here come the girls. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Oceans 11', 'Ghostbusters (2016)', 'The Italian Job (2003)'.

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