Today’s quick review: Baby Driver. Baby (Ansel Elgort), a talented driver with an ear for music, works as a getaway driver for Doc (Kevin Spacey), the mind behind a series of daring robberies, to pay off an old debt. With the end of his service approaching, Baby hopes to leave the criminal life behind him. But Doc has no intention of letting his cash cow leave, and he pulls Baby back in for one more job.
Baby Driver is a slick, stylized crime drama and comedy from director Edgar Wright. The movie shows life through the eyes and ears of Baby, whose ubiquitous shades and odd mannerisms mask an incredible gift for driving. As a result of his tinnitus, Baby listens to music almost constantly, and his musical picks form the film’s pitch-perfect soundtrack. To round it all out, Baby Driver features amazing stunt driving, snappy dialogue, and polished presentation.
Tonally, Baby Driver splits the difference between a comedy and a drama. At its brightest, it is a fun romp with an upbeat soundtrack, impressive action, and the punchy humor Edgar Wright is known for. At its darkest, Baby Driver is a tense story about an innocent young man who’s in over his head. But even in its most dramatic moments, Baby Driver never loses its sense of momentum or its moral compass.
From a cinematic standpoint, Baby Driver is a treat. The camera plays with interesting angles, flowing movements, and long, continuous shots in addition to the more standard fare. Many of the film’s sequences are synchronized with the soundtrack, giving the entire movie a sense of rhythm. Baby Driver also rewards careful viewers with a plethora of subtle jokes, references, and callbacks that are easy to miss but there for those who look for them.
As far as acting goes, Baby Driver has just what it needs. Ansel Elgort plays Baby with the right blend of innocence, resilience, and quirky charm to hold the movie together. He is backed up by a talented supporting cast that includes Kevin Spacey as the sharp, dangerous Doc; Jon Hamm, Jon Bernthal, and Jamie Foxx as rotating members of Doc’s colorful criminal crew; and Lily James as Debora, the waitress Baby falls in love with.
The film’s all-around quality and style make it well worth a watch for a wide range of viewers, and only those who dislike stylized presentation or violence should steer clear. For a darker film with a similar premise, check out Drive. For a fantasy action film from the same director, check out Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.
8.4 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it an 8.0 for great cinematography, humor, and style.