Logan Lucky [DVD]

The advertising for “Logan Lucky” includes the advertising slogan, “See how the other half steals,” and much of the publicity emphasizes the picture is directed by the filmmaker responsible for the popular heist comedy “Ocean’s 11.” The suggestion is that “Logan Lucky” is a sort of backward mirror image of “Ocean’s 11,” featuring unsophisticated rural Southerners instead of glib and glamorous Las Vegas wiseguys.And while that description is not exactly inaccurate, it’s also not quite to the picture itself. The difference is in the picture’s sense of warmth: Far from satirizing his cast of characters, director Steven Soderbergh actually embraces them, and in the process creates a oddly heartwarming comedy in which the audience finds itself rooting against the traditional good guys, in favor of a demographic which usually doesn’t receive much of a break in the popular American lexicon.“Logan Lucky” details the adventures of an unemployed West Virginia construction worker who, at the end of his financial rope, hatches a scheme to rob the massive Charlotte Motor Speedway during the popular annual Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR race. And in order to carry off the heist, the would-be master criminal needs to recruit the most colorful group of accomplices this side of Mayberry…or “Deliverance.”Written by Rebecca Blunt—thought to be a pseudonym for either the director’s wife or Soderbergh himself—the script renders most of the characters underwritten, incomplete, and lacking in motivation. But instead of being a detriment to the picture, the absence of character complexity works in the movie’s favor, allowing a remarkably talented group of players the additional space to inhabit their characters more fully.Led by the baleful and laconic Channing Tatum as the unemployed and desperate Jimmy Logan, some of the actors invest their roles so successfully that you’ll have trouble recognizing even a few of the more familiar faces.Among those who all but vanish into their characters are Sebastian Stan, from the Marvel “Captain America” series of pictures, as a member of the Logan Gang, and country music legend Dwight Yoakum as a prison warden. And even two-time Academy Award-winning actress Hilary Swank turns up relatively late in the game, as a straight-as-an-arrow FBI agent trying to crack the credibility-straining heart of the caper.In the meantime, the entire cast works together beautifully. Particularly noteworthy are Adam Driver, sporting an accent which leans more toward Missouri than West Virginia as Jimmy’s partially-disabled Gulf War veteran brother Clyde, and a ridiculously funny Daniel Craig as the gang’s demolitions expert, the appropriately-named Joe Bang. If the usually dour and humorless Craig is capable of this kind of relaxed and engaging comedy performance, it’s no wonder he reportedly feels restricted by his association with the phenomenally popular James Bond series of pictures.It’s tough to not like a picture in which part of the main character’s unlikely motivation as a criminal is to be a better parent to his daughter. And despite the more colorful, exciting, and sometimes even nail-bitingly suspenseful elements of the plot, the emotional climax of “Logan Lucky” is actually the daughter’s serenading her father with an off-key rendition of John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Road.” Better yet, the scene works.“Logan Lucky” depends somewhat on the audience’s playing along with its unlikely scenario from the first scene until the picture’s enormously satisfying conclusion, but that’s easy to do in a picture as friendly and eager-to-please as this one. The last scene seems to leave a door open for a sequel. Soderbergh’s “Ocean’s 11” spawned “Ocean’s 12” and “Ocean’s 13.” Let’s hope that “Logan Lucky” can also spread around some of that good fortune.

Hoping to reverse a 'curse' that's hung over his family for generations, Jimmy Logan (Channing Tatum) hatches a plan to rob the Charlotte Motor Speedway during the Coca-Cola 600, NASCAR's biggest race of the year. He convinces his bartender brother Clyde (Adam Driver) and hairdresser sister Mellie (Riley Keough) to help him pull everything off. However, they need that one guy to complete the gang. He is in prison and they need him to plan the break in and how to pull it off, he however needs his 2 inept brothers to help. I cannot remember enjoying a "heist" movie this much in such a long time. The comic moments work very well, the suspense works very well and the acting by all involved is superb. I recommend this movie so much for all you fans of a really good entertaining movie. Did I mention Daniel Craig as the imprisoned break in artist. This movie is one of those undiscovered gems.

Please believe me when I call this escape heist a "lovely film" due to its warm attitudes, very unusual displays of family nurturing, and large heart. Daniel Craig, Adam Driver, Channing Tatum, and Sebastian Stan are among the most manly in movies today, yet each of them during numerous scenes demonstrate the kind of courtesy famous in the South. I remember well the differences when visiting my aunt, uncle, and cousins in Georgia when the Navy was transferring us from NY to Texas. Even when they were serious about things, their excellent manners helped to smooth rough patches quickly. And in the film two sets of brothers stood up quickly for younger family members if anyone and settled things to an almost normal place.What the robbery looked like in the planning stage, during the operation, and after the fact are three different enterprises that are more confusing after the show being over now than they were as it happened. I think the difference between this film from any of Danny Ocean's was less about comparing the enormous haul or location, and more about the vulnerability I felt about the characters. In the Oceans movies I am always sure that they will escape, but this time I was surprised at the endings. And when Ms. FBI shows up for a drink, I was confused: is it a sting, a double cross, or what?I will definitely purchase the DVD!

I loved this movie - saw it at the theater last year. I just wanted to have a movie on hand for family and friends to watch, that was fun and enjoyable to all age groups. Why can't Hollywood turn out more films like this - clever plot, well written dialog, great actors...

Decent actors unfortunately aren't enough to overcome the pathetic "southern accents" in this film. Happens too often. Usually, given a pretty good cast/story, this can be tolerated. But not in this movie....UNWATCHABLE for anyone from the South. Do. Better. Hollywood.

Fantastic movie! Absolutely loved it that Daniel Craig was playing opposite of his usual suave James Bond character. It is a quirky movie that some might consider to be slow, however I thought it was very clever and funny. Enjoyed the heck out of it!

Steven Soderbergh's triumphant return from semi retirement is not to be missed if you're a fan of good caper stories or a Southern drawl. Soderbergh assembles an absolutely stellar cast and deftly weaves the characters and cameos into a charming good time that is something between his Ocean's Eleven (the title even makes a cameo) and the Dukes Of Hazard. With so many over the top blockbuster style CGI extravaganza movies bombarding the cinemaplexes as of late it's refreshing to see a well crafted film that relies on characters and story rather than over the top special effects. Too much fun and two thumbs up for getting lucky, Logan Lucky!

This is a great 4K disc. Picture and sound are outstanding and for £16 better value than your usual £25+ material which often disappoints. I guess the film itself is a bit of a marmite affair; love it or hate it. I absolutely loved the film and found it hilarious throughout; especially the yee haw southern accents, one liners and the dumb brothers who they are forced to work with on the heist of a lifetime. See Daniel Craig in a new light. Watched it Xmas evening with a mate and we laughed hard throughout.

What happens when a studio decides to compress a soundtrack so much, that it has no life left in it whatsoever?You get a extremely flat experience, that kills all engagement in the movie. Dull, flat, boring, unworthy of your attention... What a waste!

Yes good movie Daniel crag is brilliant in movie as joe bang a career criminal who in prison for robbing banks if you like the oceans movies then you like this movie

Was expecting a bit more from this film but still worth a watch

A good movie but couldnt only see it in the ordinary bluray version! The 4k Bluray was region coded for USA. This should have been informed.