Baby Driver
Starring: Ansel Elgort, Lily James, Jon Hamm, Jamie Foxx, Kevin Spacey
Directed by: Edgar Wright
Rated: R
Drive meets La La Land in Baby Driver, a vibrant action musical that never takes its foot off of the gas pedal. The characters in this crime thriller may not break out into song, but the film takes a creative approach to the action genre by synching almost every scene to music. This isn't just background music, but diegetic music picked straight from the protagonist's (Baby's) iPod.
Baby (Ansel Elgort) is a young getaway driver for a group of criminals led by Doc (Kevin Spacey). Because of an accident when he was a kid, Baby has tinnitus which causes ringing in his ears. He constantly listens to music to drown out the ringing. After meeting a waitress named Deborah (Lily James) who shares his love for obscure music, Baby sets out to leave the life of crime behind. He and Deb plan to take to the open road, just the two of them and their music. But one more job comes Baby's way and it could ruin everything. Can he drive his way out of this one?
Rarely do I like "car chase" movies. They often feel tiresome and repetitive. Baby Driver does not fall into this category. The action sequences here are so creative and energetic that I was glued to the screen. This is a stylish burst of creativity that is welcome in the often cliché summer movie season. Director Edgar Wright has crafted a mixture of vintage and modern filmmaking elements that blend together to make up a dynamic cinematic experience. The opening sequence set to "Bellbottoms" sets the tone for an action-packed film that you won't be forgetting any time soon.
I was skeptical of Ansel Elgort carrying a film of this magnitude. "Can he even drive babies?" I wondered. Then I realized this movie does not involve a guy who chauffeurs babies around which was kind of a bummer. Anyway, Ansel Elgort really surprised me here. Although Baby is a man of few words, Elgort conveys the stoic getaway driver with a cool demeanor. With his killer shades and awesome playlist backing him, how could he not look cool? When the movie begins, we never know what Baby is thinking or if he's even listening to those around him. However, as it progresses we realize he is incredibly attentive to his surroundings and music helps him function. It's through Deborah that we see begin to see more of Baby's identity.
Speaking of Deborah, Lily James plays the role wonderfully. She exudes kindness and style. Her outgoing disposition is the complete opposite of Baby's silent presence, but the two bond quickly over their shared interests.
The supporting cast in Baby Driver is majorly impressive. Kevin Spacey plays Doc, Baby's shady crime boss. Just when it looks like Baby has escaped from his grasps, he finds his way back in his life. Jamie Foxx plays Bats, an unpredictable criminal in Doc's shady operation. Jon Hamm and Eiza González play Buddy and Darling, an unstable married couple who have taken to a life of crime after the real world didn't work out for them. This whole movie is essentially great actors playing criminals. My one complaint in the film involves the co-criminals and the final act. Without spoilers, a specific situation happens (in a parking garage) that goes way too far. It isn't believable in any way and took me out of the movie a bit.
That being said, Baby Driver is an innovative film brimming with style, action, and a killer soundtrack. In a time where sequels and remakes rule cinema, it's great to see something so original and majorly creative released. Don't miss it this summer!
My Rating: 8/10