Logan Lucky (12A) 

Director: Steven Soderbergh

Starring: Channing Tatum, Adam Driver, Daniel Craig

Runtime: 119mins

8/10

Steven Soderbergh returns to the directors chair with this likable heist movie that shines and delivers.

The Logan brothers plan to rob the takings at the legendary Coca Cola 600 race at the Charlotte Speedway.

In what seems to be an attempt to break the Logan family curse, our protagonists embark on an elaborate plot to steal the takings and right a few wrongs along the way.

There are some sterling performances here from an ensemble cast.

Channing Tatum is down to earth and endearing as Jimmy Logan, once a promising footballer let down by injury, and now the same injury costs him his job.

His brother Clyde played by Adam Driver, is a war veteran who lost his hand in the line of duty and now tends a bar to get by.

Add Daniel Craig as Joe Bang, the best safe cracker in the business, who's currently serving time and the rag tag bunch of would be robbers begins to take shape.

This is a clever and well pitched film with a great cast and even better direction.

Soderbergh is on form, as usual and delivers a film that is high on laughs and plot.

There are moments of almost slapstick comedy, some great lines and also moments that are almost touching.

The film itself almost feels older than it is. It has the beats and rhythms of well loved films like Paper Moon and Thunderbolt and Lightfoot and there is heart at the centre of the production.

Everything works here, and the screenplay, by newcomer Rebecca Blunt, is like a homage to similar themed films. which leads to the speculation that there may not be a real Rebecca Blunt just a pseudonym for Soderbergh himself.

It would be a real life twist fitting of the film itself.