Rating: 3/5
Few things are more entertaining than trying to predict how a well thought out heist flick will play out. Logan Lucky is a revisit of this formula, starring a slew of A-list names such as Daniel Craig, Channing Tatum, Katie Holmes, and the up-in-coming Adam Driver.
The movie centres on two dim-witted brothers who plan to rob a NASCAR track during the biggest race of the year, recruiting a small crew to do so. It’s a daring project; ambitious in its alterations to a tried and tested formula, and an entertaining watch, with a couple of laughs, and good characters scattered throughout. However, the film isn’t without its flaws, not by a long shot. The story progresses at a snail’s pace, hindered by several unnecessary elements.
Adding to these problems is a bizarre genre change, occurring midway through the film; the heist is executed and we spend a further hour watching the aftermath. It’s well executed and would be engaging - as a separate movie. Its addition just makes the movie seem unfocused and meandering. To cap it all off is the big question: how are two plain, dim characters able to come up with such a complex plan? The heist is convoluted, intuitive, and insanely cathartic to watch unfold, all things we’ve come to expect from director Steven Soderbergh (Ocean’s series), but it’s never explained how two brothers who’re known around town for being infamously dull could pull off the heist of the century.
Problems aside though, Logan Lucky doesn’t disappoint. Soderbergh has snagged a fantastic cast to prop his story on, star-studded enough that I’m amazed Logan Lucky had as quiet a release as it did. Daniel Craig steps out of his tuxedo for a fantastic performance as the slightly unhinged Joe Bang, with some of the greatest one-liners of the decade. It’s clear he’s mostly just goofing around on screen; it’s nice to see him laugh for a change. Adam Driver (now better known as Kylo Ren from the new Star Wars) delivers a deadpan humour role for the ages, lending surprising depth to a character whose intelligence initially appears to rival a toaster at best. But what you really get your $10 worth in, more than great casting and a cracking script, is the promise that you’ll never be one hundred percent in the know. Saying any more would ruin the fun, and that’s exactly what ”Logan Lucky” is, good fun. Don’t go expecting any more, and you won’t come out thinking any less.