Conventional wisdom says that Steven Sodebergh’s loose remake of Ocean’s 11 was an improvement on the original but the sequels were of increasingly deteriorating quality. Whilst I agree with the first part of that, I think that Ocean’s 13 was unfairly overlooked, and watching that, it felt like there was legs left in the franchise. 11 years later, the next instalment has arrived with only Elliot Gould’s Reuben, in little more than a cameo, surviving from the original cast of characters.
This time around, the story centres on Debbie Ocean (Sandra Bullock), sister of the now deceased Danny. On release from prison she has a new heist planned, one that will also give her the chance to get revenge on the man who betrayed her and caused her incarceration. Teaming-up with her old colleague Lou (Cate Blanchett), Debbie gathers a team together for the daring jewellery robbery during a gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
All the requisite elements for a fun caper movie are firmly in place. A group of disparate characters in the gang, each bringing a specific skill, a likeable lead that means you are rooting for the criminals, and a twisty story. Those all come together well to make a thoroughly enjoyable romp. Director Gary Ross is a lot more workmanlike than Sodebergh but he does a decent job in keeping things moving, and, as you would expect Bullock and Blanchett effortlessly fill their roles. More surprising is that Rihanna is probably the pick of a fine supporting cast!
Rating: 8 out of 10