Logan Lucky

Logan Lucky brings the thrill of the heist from Steven Soderbergh’s Ocean’s trilogy to the Charlotte Motor Speedway, only instead of the suave demeanor of Danny Ocean we’re treated to the backcountry idiocracy of the Logan brothers. It’s a perfect blend of humor and oddball characters that brings out the best from its cast. Forget about James Bond; this is the role Daniel Craig was born for.

To free his family name from a so-called curse, Jimmy Logan (Channing Tatum) has the bright idea to break into the vaults of the Charlotte Motor Speedway and steal millions of dollars without anybody noticing. Having just been let go from his construction job at the Speedway, Jimmy knows the ins and outs of the system of tubes that vendors use to transfer cash straight to the vaults below the race track. With the help of his one-handed bartender brother Clyde (Adam Driver), they enlist convict Joe Bang (Daniel Craig) who, as his name implies, is an expert in explosives. But first they have to break him out of prison, of course. What could possibly go wrong?

As it turns out, a lot. But half the fun of the film is that it doesn’t deter the Logans from pulling off a successful heist. I guess they’re luckier than the curse claims. Logan Lucky is simply a fun movie that sets out to make you laugh right from the start. It doesn’t over complicate things like so many heist films tend to do. Channing Tatum is great as the brains behind the plan, but it’s Adam Driver who really sells the film with his deadpan style of humor. I really have to give him a hand for his performance. As outrageous as things get, it’s Driver who reels the situation in and keeps it grounded. On the opposite side of the equation is Daniel Craig in a role that is unlike anything he’s ever done before. Every scene of his is absolutely hilarious as he fully commits to the absolute absurdity of the character.

Despite its appearances, Logan Lucky is a smart and entertaining heist film that encapsulates the best of the genre. It’s been over four years since we last saw Steven Soderbergh in the director’s chair, but it’s as if he never missed a beat. Danny Ocean may have more style, but Jimmy Logan without a doubt gets more laughs.