It’s got a whopping 95% on Rotten Tomatoes and a stellar cast. What’s all the hype about? Here’s the complete Baby Driver Review:
Written by: Edgar Wright
Directed by: Edgar Wright
Starring: Ansel Elgort, Lily James, Jamie Foxx, Eiza González, Jon Hamm and Kevin Spacey
Running Time: Two hours 21 minutes
Plot
Talented getaway driver Baby (Ansel Elgort) relies on the beat of his personal soundtrack to be the best in the game. After meeting the woman (Lily James) of his dreams, he sees a chance to ditch his shady lifestyle and make a clean break. Coerced into working for a crime boss (Kevin Spacey), Baby must face the music as a doomed heist threatens his life, love and freedom.
Cast Discrimination
The producers of Baby Driver put together quite a coup. Any film buff will go to this movie being swayed by the cast including Ansel Elgort, Kevin Spacey, Jon Hamm, Lily James, Eiza González and Jamie Foxx.
Elgort wears Baby’s personality like a second skin, almost as if he’s desperately trying to shed the boy-ness of his YA (Young Adult) days, and it works. Baby is sweet, endearing and subtly expressive in his own unique way.
As usual, Spacey plays the role of the mastermind called ‘Doc’, to perfection. Foxx truly knows how to bring crazy to life, remember Motherf*cker Jones anyone!? And Hamm oozes his cool guy charisma in every scene.
The girls weren’t as impressive but I doubt anyone would mind the incredible eye candy on show in the form of González and James.
Everything considered, Baby Driver is definitely more than the sum of its star power.
Don’t Let the Title or the Trailer Fool You
You might be familiar with the Subaru sequence from the trailers, but it pretty much goes downhill from there in respect to the fast paced car chases you might be expecting.
This is more of a romantic thriller than a movie about car chases and stunts, don’t expect too much car action, but when they get into a vehicle, all hell breaks loose.
What goes on inside the car is way more interesting than what’s happening outside it.
Music of Decades Past
You might walk out of the theatre under the impression that this was a musical masquerading as a heist film. It has a brilliant soundtrack that includes songs from Barry White, Queen, James Brown, Simon & Garfunkel, and even the Beach Boys.
Songs like Smokey Joe’s La La by Googie Rene, Egyptian Reggae by Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers, and ‘Tequila’ by Button Down Brass can be heard throughout the film, adding a touch of ‘je ne sais quoi’ to the score.
The music is timed to perfection and you can’t help but nod your head and tap your toes every time the beat kicks in and sh*t goes down.
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All in All
Not your average heist film, most of which follow the standard template of focusing on the planning, execution, and aftermath of a theft; Baby Driver tries to get you interested in the motives behind the characters’ actions and focuses on the intricacies of situational comedy in dark situations.
It starts of as an average comedy infused story about a young driver (with enough skills to challenge Ken Block), who wants out of the underground world of bank robbers, but quickly takes an unexpected turn for the better when the ‘last job’ quite literally gets you to drop your jaw in every scene henceforth.
While the plot may a bit ambiguous, visually, the film looks stunning and has been praised for its cinematography. So put in your metaphorical earbuds, turn the key in the ignition, and enjoy the show of the summer so far.
RATING: 8.5/10
Watch it if you’re: into 80’s and 90’s music or want to experience a refreshing take on heists.
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