Ocean’s 8 4K Ultra HD & Blu-ray Review + BD Screen Caps

THE MOVIE — 3.0/5

Ocean’s Eleven is perhaps one of my favorite, what I’d call, “comfort” movies. Anytime I feel like just sitting down and relaxing I pop the disc in and it would be difficult to wipe the smile off of my face. The sequels had their own charms, though for my, Twelve was a bit too in love with itself while Thirteen at least rectified that and returned to what made the first movie so much fun.

Now 11 years later we get Ocean’s Eight, a film that thankfully did avoid one of the pratfalls of Ghostbusters 2016 in that this does take place in the same “universe” as O11, even having a personal connection with one of the characters. And despite this not being quite as polished or “cool” as its counterpart, I can at least say that this was an easy watch, mostly for the enjoyable ensemble.

The plot behind Ocean’s Eight finds Debbie Ocean (SANDRA BULLOCK), sister to master criminal Danny Ocean, is recently paroled from prison after a five-year stint. She’s barely out when she is already got a heist in mind, so she brings in her old partner in crime Lou (CATE BLANCHETT) and lets her in on the plan: to steal a $150 million Courtier necklace, which is locked away in a secure vault.

But they’re going to break into the vault, instead they would need to coax the necklace into the open, to be worn by celebrity Daphne Kluger (ANNE HATHAWAY) who is to attend the uber exclusive Met Gala. But in order get an “in” with Kluger, Debbie and Lou draft deep-in-debt fashion designer Rose Weil (HELENA BONHAM CARTER), to become Kluger’s dressmaker. Rounding out the crew is a hacker (RIHANNA), a master in pick-pocketing (AWKWAFINA), a jewelry-maker (MINDY KALING) and a fencer (SARAH PAULSON) who would be able to move the stolen necklace.

Under the direction of Soderbergh friend Gary Ross, he seemed to try is damndest to inject a similar “coolness” into Ocean’s Eight and pretty much spectacularly fails with the film blandly limping along during its nearly two hour duration. The script, co-written by Ross as well, doesn’t help with some forceful dialogue, a few times imitating that in Ocean’s Eleven. Now, the heist in of itself was fine though in some regards did limp along and didn’t feel natural.

On the plus side, and the only saving grace is the cast. Their characters aren’t terribly well defined, for instance of Bullock’s Debbie Ocean wasn’t Danny’s sister, I’m not so sure I’d give one hoot about her and forget about the supporting roles who mostly just fill a need for the crew, though Cate Blanchett and Sarah Paulson are both fun and even Rihanna who, if memory serves, was rather bad in the terrible Battleship but here acquitted herself well enough.

SPECIAL FEATURES – 3.0/5

This release comes with a semi-glossy slip cover. Inside is a redemption code for the Digital HD copy.

Deleted Scenes (1:53; HD) are two scenes that were likely removed to help the pacing. Neither of them really added anything to the plot or characters.

Reimagining the Met Gala (12:47; HD) breaks down how the real life party was re-created for the movie, collaborating with Vogue and the members of the Met.

A Heist in Heels (11:35; HD) looks at how the project came together from the fashion, honoring the original Oceans movies and the plot.

Ocean’s Team 3.0 (13:20; HD) introduces us to the cast of characters.

Previews (Blu-ray Disc): A Star is Born, Crazy Rich Asians

4K VIDEO – 4.75/5, BD VIDEO – 4.5/5

4K/BD AUDIO – 4.75/5

OVERALL – 3.75/5

Overall, Ocean’s Eight isn’t as slick of a film compared with Ocean’s Eleven or even Thirteen (it is quite better than the O12 however), but despite a lacking and bland cinematography and some jarring dialogue, I did generally find this entry into the franchise mostly entertaining for the ensemble cast. This 4K UHD release from Warner offers up excellent video/audio transfers and an okay selection of bonus features; would’ve been nice to have a commentary with Ross and Soderbergh (as they did on Seabiscuit).