Jack Goes Confidential: ‘OCEAN’S 8’ Girl-Gang Hits Big Apple Gala

I must confess…

2001’s remake of the Rat Pack‘s 1960 heist-classic OCEAN’S ELEVEN remains as one of my all-time favorite caper movies.

In all fairness, I also enjoyed the OCEAN’S TWELVE and THIRTEEN follow-ups.

So far, so good.

But what of THIS week’s new all-star, gender-swap heist comedy OCEAN’S 8?

Is the spin-off worthy of its brand association?

Not in my book.

OCEAN’S 8 follows the original’s set-up.

As the adventure begins we find Danny Ocean’s estranged sister Debbie Ocean (Sandra Bullock) about to be released from prison and ready for the free world.

But is that world ready for conniving Ms. Ocean?

Will she be up to her namesake’s old tricks? What do YOU think?

And so it goes as Debbie recruits the best of the female-centric specialists to organize and pull off the heist of the century.

Their target, New York City’s star-studded Metropolitan Gala and a necklace worth $150 million!

How this team effort may eventually get the job done is certainly fun to follow.

And a number of diversions and twists along the way and, and………….

NO! I’m NOT spoiling those post-heist aspects for you.

Suffice it to say that a rather flat start of the film does end well.

The ensemble of Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, Rhianna, Helena Bonham Carter, Mindy Kaling, Sarah Paulson and James Corden among others make for some interesting and entertaining proceedings.

And a good number of cameo appearances further enhance this spin-off.

Yet OCEAN’S 8 just doesn’t seem to deliver the pacing, beat, feel and chemistry of the original trilogy.

It is, in my humble opinion, the weakest of the series.

My grade: C+

JACK GOES TO THE MOVIES Friday’s during Kansas City’s Morning News on 98.1FM, KMBZ.