Baby Driver - movie review

Baby Driver

Plot: After being coerced into working for a crime boss, a young getaway driver finds himself taking part in a heist doomed to fail.
Cast: Ansel Elgort, Kevin Spacey, Lily James
Director: Edgar Wright
Certificate: 15 (strong language, violence)
Runtime: 1hr 53 mins
Release Date: Wednesday 28th June 2017

Edgar Wright is a fucking genius. 'Nuff said. After making a sublime debut with Shaun of the Dead, continuing his stellar work into Hot Fuzz, hitting the proverbial jackpot with Scott Pilgrim and then concluding his beloved 'Cornetto Trilogy' with The World's End, his newest venture, Baby Driver, has come into the fray and, I'll try not to mince my words here, it might not only be the greatest film Wright has ever done but instantaneously catapulted itself to the podium in my top films of the year. Having only seen the film once I'm hesitant to give Baby Driver this title but as of now, as I recollect the film in my head, the word that springs to mind is...perfect.

I would give my back teeth to be able to drive like that.

The most enthralling aspect about Baby Driver is its originality. Believe me when I say that you will not have seen a single film like it. Sure, there are elements that are inspired by the classics but when they all collate into one beautiful crescendo, it will categorically be unlike anything you've ever seen. This is what makes Edgar Wright stand out to be one of the greatest filmmakers of all time. He's original and every film he's made proves that. Who could ever think about making a film in which two lovers are having difficulty in their relationship whilst in the middle of a zombie apocalypse and decide to take safety in a typical English pub? Only Edgar Wright could and with Baby Driver, his passion and desire to give audiences the best thrill ride they've had in years is practically oozing out of the cinema projector. From the opening sequence alone, this movie had grabbed my shoulders and was dragging me along for the excitement and I let it do so gladly. The film begins with a stunning car chase set piece that immediately lets us know what is to come. It's a bit like La La Land. I know that's probably an odd comparison but think about it for a moment. La La Land opens with a gigantic musical number that instantly explains to the audience "This is a full blown musical. Get ready." Baby Driver opens with an insane car chase as Baby and fellow bank robbers escape the police. If you think about it, the two films share something in common in regards to the treatment of their big selling points. Come to think of it, Baby Driver is almost the La La Land of car chase films and at the same time, every time Baby gets behind the wheel, the chase that follows is almost musical-like in its direction. And here we come back to Edgar Wright because, unmistakably, Wright's unique style of directing is splattered all over every frame. His quick cuts, long takes and seemingly impossible shots are all elements of a true master at work. In all honesty, if Baby Driver was under the helm of any other director, it wouldn't work. It's only the expertise of Edgar Wright that can make all of these cogs mesh together to make a true masterpiece. Much of this is to do with the exhilarating car chases. Baby is an absolute beast behind the wheel and Wright is as good of a driver behind the camera. Miraculously, he pushed practical stunts over the use of CGI and that showed. Knowing that every handbrake turn, every impossible manoeuvre, every barrell roll was completely and entirely real just adds to unadulterated love. For me, above all things, it's the balls from Edgar Wright to make a completely original film with no ties to a bigger franchise nor set up a sequel that makes Baby Driver incredibly unique. The ending is even like Wright giving a middle finger to those films that bother with teasing a sequel or prequel by, shockingly, actually ENDING his film. In a world ravaged by cinematic universes and interconnected franchises, Wright is God given proof that there is still an original mind working in Hollywood today.

Nothing says deadly like shooting a sub-machine gun whilst wearing a fluffy pink cardigan.

FACT: On the first day of filming, Jamie Foxx watched Jon Hamm on the monitor and said "He's too handsome" and then walked away without another word.

Upon leaving the screening of Baby Driver, as well as wanting to immediately turn around and go back in to watch the whole thing again, the one thing that stuck with me, and will likely remain with you all, is the soundtrack. With songs like Tequila (the original jazzy version rather than the remix), Brighton Rock by Queen and Radar Love by Golden Earring, Baby Driver has a soundtrack like no other film ever made. It might just be the best movie soundtrack since the first Guardians Of The Galaxy. What makes the soundtrack so important to this film is the purpose it serves to characters and plot. Baby has Tinnitus (a medical condition in which the ears are constantly ringing) after a car crash when he was younger and in order to drown out the 'hum in the drum' as Kevin Spacey puts it, he's developed a love for music. He listens to it during his 'jobs', he listens to it at home with his deaf foster father, Joe, who might just be the most adorable side character from cinema this year, and in one scene that is destined to become a classic, when he goes to pick up coffee. That scene in particular happens early in the film and in one, long, unbroken shot, we are introduced to who Baby is just through a trip to a coffee shop. Also, keep you eyes peeled during that scene to pick up on some clever inclusions on Baby's journey that Wright has sprinkled throughout. It won't make or break your experience with this film but if you do pick up on those clever tricks, it will easily enhance your enjoyment and love exponentially. Going into Baby Driver, the magnificence of Wright and his direction was to be expected but what caught me off guard was the smashing performance by Ansel Elgort who, after this, is destined to get more work in Hollywood. The Fault In Our Stars was a good movie and he was talented as Augustus but since then he's disappeared from the movie radar and shifted to fulfilling a music career. It could be that Elgort may be the new Justin Timberlake as he manages to balance both of his loves. As for his performance in Baby Driver, he's terrific. In a short amount of time, Elgort causes every member of the audience to fall in love with him and the character of Baby. Women in the audience want to be with him and men want to be him. As he skips along the pavement (sidewalk for you yanks) listening to his tunes, swooning Deborah (Lily James) off her feet and creating near-impossible feats in any car he steps in, Baby is a wonderfully written, marvelously acted and just a downright awesome character. And the same goes for all the characters​. 

An accurate depiction of how I drove home after leaving Baby Driver.

Second to Elgort's Baby is Jamie Foxx who revels in the role of Bats, a highly crazed, psychopathic nutbag who instantly takes a dislike to Baby. Spouting one liners left, right and centre, Foxx was born for a role like this and proves to be a solid working force when teamed with Edgar Wright. Kevin Spacey also does a tremendous job in a role that isn't as clear cut as the trailers are suggesting. The mystery revolving around his character of Doc, where his loyalties lie and his history with Baby is brilliantly teased throughout by Spacey and Wright rather than just dumping it all in one exposition scene. Speaking of bonds with Baby, I was a bit concerned that the character of Deborah would suffer from underdevelopment and constantly be the damsel in distress. More fool I. Deborah, whilst occasionally being the damsel in distress in time of legitimate tension, defies conventions in the heart pounding finale by becoming much more of a partner with Baby as they look to escape from the crime world. James and Elgort's chemistry is off the charts and whenever they share smaller, more intimate moments (like them comparing music tastes), rather than the film grinding to a halt, it continues at a much more eased pace as we buy into this dreamlike romance. Capping off this all star cast is perhaps the most dysfunctional, strangely sexy and sociopathic couple I've seen in some time and they come in the shape of Jon Hamm's Buddy and Eiza Gonzalez's Darlin'. These two are friggin' crazy but their personalities fit in so well with this world that Wright has set up. Hamm manages to go from a seemingly decent douchebag who respects his partners in crime to an absolute monster that is legitimately scary. As for Ms. Gonzalez... Wow! Ella esta una angel hermosa. Gonzalez is beautifully deadly in the most attractive way possible and she does give a humourous and fun performance, slotting in very well amongst these greats of the acting world.

Safe to say his passengers weren't happy with his music choice of Aqua's Barbie Girl.

In short, get off your arse and go see Baby Driver. The action sequences are some of the best and most authentic released unto cinema in this most recent millennium and Wright's direction pushes it all into instant classic territory. There will come a day where future film students will look to Baby Driver and analyse it as a masterclass in filmmaking. Inspirational, intricately detailed and utterly gripping from the very start to the end, Baby Driver is not just the best film of the summer but possibly the best of the year. Take my word on this. It's the single greatest adrenaline rush you will have experienced this year and you'll will not be disappointed.

My Verdict: 10/10

What did you think of Baby Driver? What is your favourite Edgar Wright film? Sound off in the comments below.

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