Baby Driver (2017)

Baby Driver (2017)

7/10

Starring

Ansel Elgort

Kevin Spacey

Lily James

Eiza González

Jon Hamm

Jamie Foxx

Directed by Edgar Wright

Baby Driver starts with a chase scene that reminds me so much of the cop chases you encounter in the E.A. video game Need for Speed: Most Wanted (2005). With that image in mind (assuming the reader has played the game), just imagine the excitement that comes with watching this movie. I found myself jerking around, wishing I was the one playing Baby (the name given to the lead) in this film.

Baby Driver is a crime action film written and directed by Edgar Wright, and it’s exciting, thrilling, and worth every minute you spend watching it. Imagine a movie where everyone you know—A-listers like Jon Hamm, Kevin Spacey, and Jamie Foxx—are on the villain side. The movie puts the lead on the villain side too, and the vibe is completely different from what you get when watching Transporter.

The movie’s first scene introduces us to the lead character and his main role: getaway driver. He works for Doc (Kevin Spacey), who organizes the crew and the jobs that require Baby to drive like hell, escape the police, and bring the cash home. Baby is on a deal with Doc to do a certain number of jobs and then be free. But, like all criminals, Doc doesn’t keep his side of the deal and pulls Baby back in by threatening to hurt everyone he loves. Now, Baby is stuck with a violent crew that won’t follow the plan, and he needs to get out safe and alive to continue life with his girlfriend and foster father.

Edgar Wright is a popular guy behind the wheel. His famous work includes the Three Flavours Cornetto film trilogy—Shaun of the Dead (2004), Hot Fuzz (2007), and The World’s End (2013)—a set of movies he did with Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. Edgar is a director I’m very fond of, and his list of great movies is beyond cool. He wrote Steven Spielberg’s The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn (2011) and wrote and executive produced Disney’s Ant-Man (2015).

The infusion of music in this movie is something you’ll enjoy to the fullest. Baby is a lover of all kinds of music genres, and we get to hear his picks as he spends most of his time with earphones in. Every intense moment—whether it’s from the twists and turns of the plot or Baby’s driving—will have you glued to the screen. 

The movie is packed with high-energy action and stylish direction, but it has its flaws. The plot, while entertaining, sticks to familiar beats and doesn’t dig too deep beyond its slick presentation. Some of the supporting characters feel underdeveloped, making their roles less impactful. The pacing holds up for the most part, but a few scenes, especially in the final act, drag more than they should. The music is a standout, though at times, it drowns out the tension instead of building it. In the end, Ansel Elgort delivers a solid performance, stealing every scene he’s in.

Go see this movie, and keep an eye out for one of the best bass players, Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers, who’s also in it.