Written by: Kevin Berge
The poster just doesn't sell the movie without a song automatically playing when it appears. (Image Courtesy of: somervilletheatre.com)
Quick Take: Baby Driver may not be a hilarious spectacle, but it is a modern musical driven by an intense dramatic story that shows Edgar Wright's versatility while still being classically defined by his directing style. With several commanding performances and action that will not stop, it is a unique captivating film.
***This is a review of the still-in-theaters Baby Driver with the reader not expected to have seen the movie. Therefore, there will not be spoilers beyond the basic setup of the film though it will discuss the movie's focus and allude to its direction. Read ahead at your own risk if you have not seen the film yet.***
I want to get this out of the way as no one did this for me. Baby Driver is not a comedy. It is Edgar Wright's least funny movie to date. It has funny lines and moments, but it is a dramatic action thriller... and it might be Wright's best film to date.
Before I continue, it's only right I introduce the star feature of this movie. Feel free to wait to meet them until them until after you've seen the film, but I could not write this whole review without listening to the soundtrack. I'll sprinkle in some of my favorite tracks. Feel free to listen while reading.
I want to get this out of the way as no one did this for me. Baby Driver is not a comedy. It is Edgar Wright's least funny movie to date. It has funny lines and moments, but it is a dramatic action thriller... and it might be Wright's best film to date.
Before I continue, it's only right I introduce the star feature of this movie. Feel free to wait to meet them until them until after you've seen the film, but I could not write this whole review without listening to the soundtrack. I'll sprinkle in some of my favorite tracks. Feel free to listen while reading.
Baby Driver is entirely focused on communication. The main character is largely tacit and relies on other sources to shape the way he talks to others. Number one on his influence list is music which he is constantly listening to. Not only do his music choices affect how characters see him but show the audience who he is when unreserved.
This whole movie is following Baby, often listening to what he is listening to. Since Baby has tinnitus, almost all the time we either hear the music he is listening to or the ringing in his ears. In both situations, we are connected to him as a character and follow his quiet exuberance.
Some of the best comedic moments are Baby letting himself get caught up in the steady beat of the music, all of which have noticeable driving rhythms that the movie is constantly aware of. Baby's dancing and lip-syncing are the simplest aware moments of the music, but even the action is on pace with the music.
This whole movie is following Baby, often listening to what he is listening to. Since Baby has tinnitus, almost all the time we either hear the music he is listening to or the ringing in his ears. In both situations, we are connected to him as a character and follow his quiet exuberance.
Some of the best comedic moments are Baby letting himself get caught up in the steady beat of the music, all of which have noticeable driving rhythms that the movie is constantly aware of. Baby's dancing and lip-syncing are the simplest aware moments of the music, but even the action is on pace with the music.
The simple premise of this movie is that Baby (Ansel Elgort) is the getaway driver for Doc (Kevin Spacey) who assembles teams of criminals to pull off major robberies including the lovebirds Buddy (Jon Hamm) and Darling (Eiza Gonzalez) as well as the psychopathic Bats (Jamie Foxx). The story changes though when Baby meets love interest Debora (Lily James).
While it could have easily glamorized the capers, director Edgar Wright is not making his own Ocean's Eleven here. The car-driving aspect is exhilarating, but the violence of the criminals Baby drives around is not shied away from. Almost every criminal is overly violent with Baby trying his best to quietly stop them from taking lives.
While it could have easily glamorized the capers, director Edgar Wright is not making his own Ocean's Eleven here. The car-driving aspect is exhilarating, but the violence of the criminals Baby drives around is not shied away from. Almost every criminal is overly violent with Baby trying his best to quietly stop them from taking lives.
Interesting career move by Don Draper, but it's hard to blame him for the change. (Image Courtesy of: empireonline.com)
The cast of the movie are all largely on point even if many are not playing too far out of their comfort zone here. Ansel Elgort (The Fault in Our Stars) is the revelation of the film, disappearing into the role of Baby and balancing his outbursts of silliness, his quiet anger, and his meekness.
Jon Hamm (Mad Men), Jamie Foxx (Ray), and Eiza Gonzalez (From Dusk till Dawn) are all solid violent villains with interesting dynamics with Baby. Kevin Spacey (American Beauty) plays the classic smooth talker with a sinister edge that is basically how he's always cast these days. Lily James (Cinderella) has fantastic chemistry with Elgort but doesn't make much of an impact otherwise.
Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead) may be the one most of his comfort zone here even as you see his style throughout in the musical focus, the classic transitions, and offbeat visual comedy. He shines in those moments of his style coming through, but he also shoots some fantastic action here.
Jon Hamm (Mad Men), Jamie Foxx (Ray), and Eiza Gonzalez (From Dusk till Dawn) are all solid violent villains with interesting dynamics with Baby. Kevin Spacey (American Beauty) plays the classic smooth talker with a sinister edge that is basically how he's always cast these days. Lily James (Cinderella) has fantastic chemistry with Elgort but doesn't make much of an impact otherwise.
Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead) may be the one most of his comfort zone here even as you see his style throughout in the musical focus, the classic transitions, and offbeat visual comedy. He shines in those moments of his style coming through, but he also shoots some fantastic action here.
To be honest, I was a bit disappointed in this movie at its climax. Coming in expecting a wild caper film, I was certainly not prepared for what I got instead. Still, the film was excellent from the start in balancing its wildness and more standard elements. Plus it had Edgar Wright's witty script behind it.
The big finish of this movie though takes a sharp turn with Baby in particular that I was not wholly on board with. The energy of the film turns to a balance of dark parody and over-the-top action-drama. Even if it was exhilarating, I found myself disappointed this was the ultimate goal of the movie.
Still, you will hardly find a movie this year that captures action this well. It is an original action flick with old school sensibilities. The way it crafts its soundtrack (a step beyond even what Guardians of the Galaxy did with music) should hopefully be a lesson for other movies recently that have thrown around music for the sake of having music.
Elgort has been made as an actor, and Wright continues to hit the highest of marks repeatedly with his films that are showing more diversity now that he has moved past his fun Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy. I can't say definitively it is my favorite film from Wright, but it is certainly one of my favorite movies this year.
The big finish of this movie though takes a sharp turn with Baby in particular that I was not wholly on board with. The energy of the film turns to a balance of dark parody and over-the-top action-drama. Even if it was exhilarating, I found myself disappointed this was the ultimate goal of the movie.
Still, you will hardly find a movie this year that captures action this well. It is an original action flick with old school sensibilities. The way it crafts its soundtrack (a step beyond even what Guardians of the Galaxy did with music) should hopefully be a lesson for other movies recently that have thrown around music for the sake of having music.
Elgort has been made as an actor, and Wright continues to hit the highest of marks repeatedly with his films that are showing more diversity now that he has moved past his fun Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy. I can't say definitively it is my favorite film from Wright, but it is certainly one of my favorite movies this year.