Review of Logan Lucky (2017) by Tim G — 26 Dec 2017

Logan Lucky is a surprise (and delayed) return to the silver screen for Steven Soderbergh and his team of writers after his stint on TV. For a director who's always had a knack for misdirection, suspense, and a bit of fun when needed, Logan Lucky turns into his best work in nearly 16 years since Ocean's 11 ifrom 2001.

The best thing about his heist movies have always been the cast. He strikes gold once again with Channing Tatum, Adam Driver, and a spirited performance from Daniel Craig. Their portrayal of North Carolina/West Virginia rednecks are enjoyable to the last bit of dialogue. Tatum and Driver work well together as brothers of the Logan family name. We find out early they've been cursed. Tatum's enthusiasm and charisma next to Driver's deadpan delivery and all-around matter-of-factness attitude clash in the best the way possible. Light the fuse with Craig's Joe Bang, and you've got a recipe for a group ready to do something stupid. It's a movie that takes a look more at the reasons why for the heist than, say, Ocean's 11/12/13 did when it was mostly about the cast members.

Soderbergh has always been able to pick a locale and make it part of the heist itself. This time we are treated to Charlotte Motor Speedway. Not only does it switch things up for the environment, it gives a home base for characters who are well versed with their surroundings.

The only time Soderbergh's film falters is in the later part of the final act with the inclusion of the one guest star who surprised me in the end. Their addition was unwarranted and lingered to a point where even the final scene felt undeserved. The conlcusion of the entire heist was a bit choppy to follow; we know how just like in the Ocean's movies Soderbergh's big reveals come with a complete rehash of the entire heist and all the things we may have missed that were right in front of us. It's a tried and true method, but it didn't quite surprise this time around as it did in those other films he's so well known for.

Logan Lucky gives us the Vegas heist we fell in love with for the hillbiliies. It flows in the same vein and even has some callbacks to the tricks he's used in the past as a director that made him so entertaining. Logan Lucky makes you want to see the small guys come out on top, and this movie delivers the feel goods you want, but there's just a few blips along the way that keep it from standing out from those other installments.