“Ocean’s 8”
RELEASE DATE: June 8, 2018
MPAA RATING: PG-13 (for language, drug use, and some suggestive content)

The plot of the comedic crime caper “Ocean’s 8” is centered around recently paroled inmate Debbie Ocean (Sandra Bullock), the sister of Danny Ocean (George Clooney), the suave and clever conman we’ve come to know in previous installments of the Ocean’s film franchise.

Upon Debbie’s prison release, she gets right back into illegal shenanigans as she gathers a team of female accomplices to steal a diamond necklace worth $150 million. She has had some five years to plan the heist, which takes place at the hoity-toity Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

Joining Ms. Bullock for the escapade is a stellar supporting cast that includes Helena Bonham Carter, Cate Blanchett, Mindy Kaling, Rihanna, Sarah Paulson, and Awkwafina. Anne Hathaway, who can be frequently annoying on screen, is perfectly cast here as the egotistical and insecure actress around whose neck rests the targeted jewelry.

Although “Ocean’s 8” is harmless entertainment, the film, directed and co-written by Gary Ross who partnered with Olivia Milch on the screenplay, lacks the creative spark and fun plot twists and turns that kept audiences guessing in prior offerings.

All signs in this film indicate that the Danny Ocean character is dead, as evidenced by his sister’s visit to his mausoleum. But being the conman that he is, we hold out hope that he will return, perhaps in a future installment that has the siblings team-up for the heist of a lifetime. The pairing of Clooney and Bullock in these roles would be a film worthy of attention.

As for this time around, my expectations were low for “Ocean’s 8.” And those expectations were met.