Logan Lucky (2017)

Logan Lucky marks director Steven Soderbergh's return to feature film making after a four year "retirement" which saw him direct 20 episodes of the Cinemax early 1900's medical drama The Knick, and serve as cinematographer on the sequel to his own 2012 film Magic Mike. Soderbergh, who is perhaps most famous for his highly successful Oceans film franchise, again tackles the heist comedy genera in what is essentially a redneck version of Oceans 11, and pretty much that same observational joke is made over the course of the film. Channing Tatum and Adam Driver play brothers who embark on a scheme to rob the Charlotte Motor Speedway, and bring into the plot a cast of oddball characters including a explosive expert played by Daniel Craig, and their "hot sister" Mellie, played by Elvis's granddaughter Riley Keough. The films Name loaded cast also includes Katie Holmes, Katherine Waterston, Seth MacFarlane, Sebastin Stan and Hillary Swank. Country star Dwight Yoakam cameos as an incompetent prison warden. This movie is full of references to the blue collar south to add local color to a heist plot that is so complicated, that its doubtful these kind of knuckleheads could ever come up with it, let alone pull it off. Still the film is an enjoyable ride and I will be curious to see how well its plot intricacies hold up on repeat viewing. But for one viewing at least its worth your time. ***1/2