Review by Jarred Tito
A bit of grit, a few laughs and a plot that would set George Clooney’s Oceans Eleven on fire.
Logan Lucky is a ‘feel good’, all American, heist extravaganza which comes with a laugh, a bit of love story, a reveal here and there, but most of all that bunkum American charm.
A star studded cast, 007’s Daniel Craig, Channing Tatum, Adam Driver and ex Mrs Cruise, Katie Holmes are some of the more recognisable names in this suspense comedy. Logan Lucky is set in the southern part of the United States where Nascar driving is treated as American royalty. It’s here at the Nascar event that the film finds our Heroes plotting to break even, their worldview: everything is against them, both state and banks alike. Their maxim ‘robbing from the poor and giving to the rich.’
It’s a light hearted movie which has tender moments with episodes of comedy. I was often reminded of Oceans Eleven and at times reminiscent of racing comedy Talladega Nights. To be honest, I wasn’t sure what to expect in terms of a narrative, “would it be a heist with a little bit of comedy?” or “would it be something more dramatic and gritty like David Mackenzie’s excellent ‘Hell or High Water?”. In reflection it was neither.
I enjoyed seeing Daniel Craig out of his James Bond role and sporting a southern drawl. His accent passed. I was pleased with the performance of Katie Holmes who has become more known for covering the pages of glossy magazines. However, for me, the stand-out actor and character in the movie was without a doubt actor Adam Driver who plays Channing’s one armed brother.
I am always pleasantly surprised and pleased with his performance. He really does get into role and although the film was light-hearted and his character comedic, he managed to merge comedy and tragedy together in a very natural and entertaining way. I think this movie allows him to display some of his more quirky qualities as a character actor. Every line he delivered was very believable, he owned every scene that appeared in.
This is definitely a three out of five, for those who love Tatum Channing or Daniel Craig you might even push it up as high as a four. Logan Lucky is a movie you could take any member of the family to, even, dare I say, The Vicar of Dibley.
Logan Lucky has something for everyone. Nice also to see a good wholesome movie. Oh, I should have said that it also has a ‘Dukes of Hazzard’ feel to it somehow. You know – the ‘Robin Hood’s of the South.’
