‘Baby Driver’ satisfies fan by mixing action, music with ‘heart’
“A heist film with heart” was the description by one reviewer of Baby Driver as writer/director Edgar Wright’s pet project has been earning praise from fans and critics.
What feels like a summer, 2017 version of Quentin Tarantino’s True Romance, Baby Driver centers on Ansel Elgort’s Baby, introduced as an amazing getaway driver channeling music as themed escape tunes. With police following close behind, the action sequence feels like a music video and Gone in 60 Seconds.
Baby is joined by a motley crew of thugs and gangsters hired by Doc (Kevin Spacey) with the “team” changing for every job. The character’s back story of tragedy and ties to Doc explain the bizarre, eccentric Baby, who then has his world rocked when he meets Debora (Lily James).
Much of the details and jokes were revealed in the trailers and teaser footage, but the film is never really compromised. A foul mouthed Jamie Foxx; a Bonnie and Clyde duo played by Jon Hamm and Eiza Gonzalez; and a Walking Dead‘s Jon Bernthal, are all very interesting and memorable characters.
Wright perfectly juggles the action, the key elements of a heist film with Baby’s desire to escape the “life of crime” and romantic ties to James’ Debora.
The best summary of Baby Driver is that it’s just a good story. There’s no tricks or twists which will surprise the audience, but they will certainly feel redeemed and fulfilled as the story plays out.
Spacey is his typical intimidating persona and James was never seemed so elegant.
Elgort is cool and his passion for retro tunes will excite a new generation much the way Guardians of the Galaxy‘s soundtrack worked perfectly during their adventure. His performance never crosses into weird, skirting the autistic characteristics, but maintaining a hidden brilliance that you want to cheer for.
Wright nods at Heat, Point Break, Sharkey’s Machine, Elvis, Stanley Kubrick and a fun message ripped from Pixar’s Monsters Inc.
The driving is all practically done, NO CGI or green screens, which makes the film even more exciting.
Music lovers, film nerds, action film buffs…all of you will love Baby Driver.
Baby Driver receives 4 stars out of 5 stars.
Just a note on the ending: there is no clear answer to what really happens here. Wright has stated that was by design, but the studio is said to be seeking a sequel, so stay tuned, all will have to be explained.