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I WAS bored by the whole women versus men argument with the female Ghostbusters.

That didn’t deserve the rubbish flung at it and the same goes for Ocean’s 8.

Sandra Bullock Sarah Paulson, Rihanna, Cate Blanchett and Awkwafina in a scene from the smart and funny Ocean's 8 in which their characters hatch a plot to steal Cartier’s £114million Toussaint necklace
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Sandra Bullock Sarah Paulson, Rihanna, Cate Blanchett and Awkwafina in a scene from the smart and funny Ocean's 8 in which their characters hatch a plot to steal Cartier’s £114million Toussaint necklaceCredit: AP:Associated Press

Any problems are not to do with its all-female cast, they are excellent, but because it is intent on mirroring its predecessor.

With eight women doing the job of 11 men etc, this is a good, fun film.

But it takes the best bits of Ocean’s 11 and mixes them with the worst of Ocean’s 12.

Debbie Ocean (Sandra Bullock) is the younger sister of Clooney’s apparently dead Danny — a mystery clearly designed for a future instalment.

Anne Hathaway, left, who steals nearly every scene in Ocean's 8 and Helena Bonham Carter
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Anne Hathaway, left, who steals nearly every scene in Ocean's 8 and Helena Bonham CarterCredit: AP:Associated Press

In a mirror of the original, we meet her as she is released on parole, tracking down ladies with particular skills to take part in a jewellery heist dreamt up while she was in prison.

Joining we have Lou (Cate Blanchett), designer Rose (Helena Bonham Carter), jewellery maker Amita (Mindy Kaling), hacker Nine Ball (Rihanna), pickpocket Constance (Awkwafina) and fencer Tammy (Sarah Paulson).

The plan is to steal Cartier’s £114million Toussaint necklace by getting actress Daphne (Anne Hathaway) to wear it to the Met Gala.

The cast of Ocean's 8 including Cate Blanchett, Helena Bonham Carter and Sandra Bullock are excellent but the film copies its predecessors too much
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The cast of Ocean's 8 including Cate Blanchett, Helena Bonham Carter and Sandra Bullock are excellent but the film copies its predecessors too muchCredit: AP:Associated Press

They each bring something to the table, but Blanchett and Hathaway steal the show.

Blanchett brings effortless cool to whatever she does.

Rihanna stuns in gold at London premiere for Ocean's 8

While Hathaway flexes her comedy muscle, stealing every scene she’s in.

The single prominent male role is the weakest thing in the whole film.

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Richard Armitage was drafted in at the last minute after an A-Lister pulled out – and it shows.

No offence, but he’s hugely exposed here.

So despite the feeling of deja vu and sporadic ventures into smugness, Ocean’s 8 is plenty smart enough and has enough laughs and celeb glitz (cameos from Anna Wintour, Kim K, Heidi Klum) to ensure this is a franchise just about defibrillated back to life.

OCEAN'S 8: 110 mins (12A)

★★★

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