NASCAR is a true part of America. Some people put it up there with baseball, the 4th of July. and apple pie. Now I have to admit that I am not a fan, but if I ever go to a live event it might change my mind. I just don’t see the point of watching a bunch of cars go around in circles when all I have to do is go to the local freeway, and watching it on TV is also not for me. To the people who ARE fans I am fine with it, but it is just not for me.
“Logan Lucky” is the new film directed by the returning Steven Soderbergh (Magic Mike, Ocean’s Eleven). Starring Channing Tatum (21 Jump Street, The Hateful Eight), Adam Driver (Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Silence), Daniel Craig (Casino Royale, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo), Farrah Mackenzie (Nanny Cam, Please Stand By), Katie Holmes (Go, Batman Begins), Riley Keough (Mad Max: Fury Road, American Honey), David Denham (13 Hours, Big Fish), Charles Halford (Rectify, True Detective), Seth MacFarlane (Ted, A Million Ways to Die in the West), Brian Gleeson (Mother!, Assassin’s Creed), Jack Quaid (After Lilly, The Hunger Games), and Hillary Swank (Million Dollar Baby, Boys Don’t Cry), it is the film is the story of Jimmy (Tatum), who just lost his job doing construction at Charlotte Motor Speedway and “digs up” a plan to rob the Speedway through its hydraulic money delivery system. He does have a limited time frame due to his plan needing to be executed while the construction is still going on, so he gets his brother Clyde (Driver), a bartender who lost part of his left arm serving in the military as well as Joe (Craig) who is an expert in explosives and currently locked up in the county jail and his two dimwitted brothers Fish (Quaid) and Sam (Gleeson).
I like how this film shows the speedway and used real race footage as well as the scenery in West Virginia. There is also some well-done CGI to show Driver with the missing arm. When it comes to the acting, I was really impressed, especially Craig, Driver, and Tatum. Their work with Quaid and Gleeson displays a perfect bunch of southern rednecks to a tee. Seeing James Bond play one of the characters who could be a cast member on “Hee-Haw” or “King of the Hill” is really enjoyable, and loved how Driver played a slow talking southerner as a change of pace. My shout out for a non-leading role goes to Quaid and Gleason whom could have as easily been called Billy Bob and Rufus. Seeing all these actors in a new style role works well and it does impress me.
When it comes to the plot and storyline, I really had a fun time. There is a ton of comedy in this film, and he redneck bunch really works and is funny through the film. If I have a complaint, it is that the comedy does kind of dry up at the end. At the about two hours long it does not really drag, but there are a couple dry spells. This film does have that “Ocean’s 11” feel with those twists and turns at the end, but what do you expect when it is the same director. If you want a fun time and a good laugh, I will say this film may be for you, but I will recommend this film as a matinee or twilight showing in the theaters.