MOVIE REVIEW: OCEAN 8 VS SKYSCRAPER
PENSDOWN
What freaks you out at the number of eight and the presence of art? What have you planned in five years, eight months and twelve days? What do you do in your moment of fear? You probably are yet to see this two intriguing movies: Ocean 8 and Skyscraper. Both, released in 2018, have been part of the most viewed movies and ‘talked-about’ ones. So, let us talk about a movie in which a picture in the gallery features ladies in a boat looking determined and ready to rule their world and another movie with a skilful wife who is not just an asset to the husband but also protects her children and stands for her man.
Ocean 8, unlike the other Ocean series does not just have women has its minor characters but as major ones. This is a movie which centres on the strength and ability of women which serve as their power point. Eight is the number; a number which stands for the ladies-determined, skilful, intelligent, focused and strong. It is cast by eight women; the eight ladies: Sandra Bullock as Debbie Ocean (the deceased younger sister to Danny Ocean); Cate Blancett as Lou; Helena Bonham as Rose Weil, the famous fashion designer in debt; Rihanna as Nine Ball, the hacker; the pickpocket Awkwafina; Sarah Paulson as mom Tammy; Mindy Kaling as Amina, the jewellery designer and the soon to be a criminal and the snobby actress, Daphne Kluger.
Skyscraper, on the other hand is a running movie which keeps its viewers’ eyes fixed on it all day long. This is one movie which focuses on the main character whose present mission is to save his family from a burning skyscraper of two hundred and twenty-five stories into the sky. Skyscraper is the name; a name of the unseen character in the movie which stands as an obstacle between the truth and the hidden as well as love and death. Its major cast were: Dwayne Johnson as Will Sawyer, Neve Campbell as Sarah Sawyer, Chin Han as Zhao Long Ji, Noah Taylor as Mr. Pierce, Roland Moller as Kores Botha and Byron Mann as Inspector Wu.
In Ocean 8, we have seven unique ladies with their own skills and are on a mission to steal a Vintage diamond Cartier necklace worth $150 million right at the Met’s annual Costume Gala. After Debby Rise’s release from prison, she hooks up with her partner, Lou again and they both work to gather a perfect group (at least to their own believe which later turns out to be true). Five weeks to concert, they have to get the diamond but Lou realises that Debbie is also out on revenge against Decker, a guy who sent her to prison. Lou challenges Debbie but gets an assurance that all would be fine. In this movie, they made a fun of the museum management and used the police to their advantage. Despite the impossibility in their job and Daphne’s revelation of what happened at the concert, they were able to manipulate these obstacles to their luck. They end up stealing not only the Vintage diamond Cartier necklace, Lou and Debby also get away with some of the Crown Jewelleries while the gala was being evacuated.
While in Skyscraper, moving beyond Sawyer’s role, we see a woman who struggles to ensure the safety of her children. And when she gives the man a blow, it was like what the f…? Wealthy Chinese Zhao Long Ji financed the construction of the tallest building in the world in Hong Kong. The building named ‘The Pearl’ is 225 stories tall. Will Sawyer who is almost one-legged after a failed mission is invited to crosscheck the Pearl. He moves to the building alongside his wife and children. Ben, Sawyer’s long time friend, betrays Sawyer and gives him up to Zhao’s enemy. Sawyer becomes the main suspect but gets off the police grip to rescue his family. His wife and children are still in the building and is unable to be rescued by Zhao’s men who get caught in the flames. Sawyer finds his wife and his son who use the elevator as their escape route. She then helps the police to identify Botha as the leader of the terrorists. Sawyer has to find Zhao for Botha in order to rescue his daughter. Botha is in search for the memory card with Zhao which contains evidences against Botha as regard money laundering. Sawyer and Zhao rescue his daughter while Sarah, Sawyer’s wife finds the stolen tablet and the Skyscraper fire is stopped.
Both movies are intriguing although Skyscraper lacks originality. They portray the strength of women in this present society. So while Ocean 8 brings in ladies who believe in themselves and do what seems impossible, Sarah becomes the saviour of her children and a detective for her husband. So, what is your five years, eight months and twelve days and power point?
