Baby Driver

Hollywood needs more movies like Baby Driver.

Audiences need to see more movies like Baby Driver.

Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not necessarily poo-pooing summer sequels and blockbusters. I know a lot of people (and critics) like to, but I'm one of the "crazy ones" that still enjoys an awesome follow-up film with characters I love. I still love the superhero films. I still love my big-budget spectacles. Just look at Logan, Kong, Guardians Vol. 2, and Wonder Woman for proof.

But I did decide to vote with my wallet last weekend and completely skip the newest Transformers. I was disappointed but not surprised to see that Michael Bay has absolutely zero ability to take and apply criticisms and it's clear to me that particular franchise has lost my interest until they get someone new behind the helm. Shame too because I thought there could be a turn around after how good/great 13 Hours ended up being.

I've been eagerly anticipating Baby Driver for sometime now, less so out of being a fan of director Edgar Wright, and more so because of the premise. Action paired with music is something that I absolutely adore (there's even a chapter in my first novel that attempts to capture this) and I think it often leads to some of the year's absolute best scenes. Scenes that give you chills. Scenes that stick with you. Scenes that are totally badass. See the "Think" bathhouse scene from the first John Wick for a great example.

Oh I'm sorry. Is it dark inside?

Baby Driver is an awesome concept that has been brewing for some time now and results in a very-nearly equally as awesome film. It's not the perfect-score-classic that I was hoping and praying it would be, but it's a memorable and very rewatchable movie that will keep you as entertained as anything else this summer/year.

The story is simple, but not a fault I have with the film. Drive was very similar and they share plot beats here, but I appreciate simple plots when they're complimented with interesting characters and style. That's definitely that case here as Baby (Ansel Elgort) is a driver for a powerful crime boss (Spacey) and can't seem to get out of the business. He falls in love with Deborah (Lily James) and doubles down on his effort to "get out". It's been done before, but never as stylish as this and each character is memorable throughout. That's largely due to an impeccable casting job with Elgort being perfectly cast as Baby, James being an understandably moving catalyst as the love interest, Foxx being a loud mouth gangster, and Spacey being a seedier, funnier version of Frank Underwood. Elgort in particular turns in his best/most memorable performance yet and while he may not have the build of "The Rock", he's more than suited to be an agile driver. 

House of Cards Season 6: Underwood's Baby

Yeah cause dancing together in a
laundromat isn't weird or anything...

Speaking of which, the action scenes are spectacular and where the movie shines brightest. Paired and timed to a song of choice, driving segments, foot chases, and shoot-outs have an extra sort of effect. It's a symphony of motion and sound. They're well filmed too with top-notch cinematography and editing. They never feel choppy because of the beats of the music and there are several lasting shots that will dazzle you. It's hard for me to pick a favorite one, though unfortunately the final "battle" is the least compelling. As a whole, the ending of the film is where I painfully deduct the most points because it just gets messy. The film seems to take on a different vibe, the music doesn't work quite as well, and it continues to falsely-climax or get to a point of near-resolution and then dip back into a fight/chase. I'm not sure how I would change the ending, but I think there was a better version of it out there, and one that's probably about 10-15 minutes shorter. 

The soundtrack itself is equally as dazzling, whether you're a fan of the music or not. The film lives off its soundtrack and there are combinations here that are exciting, funny, and just plain smart. I did find some songs worked better than others though when it came to "tuning" the film to its particular rhythm. Some songs are just there, which works for a normal film, but for Baby Driver it kind of stands out when a particular tune isn't really in sync with what's going on. I also would have liked the film to experiment with different genres too. It focuses more on classic rock and older tunes. Those are all fine, but I would have been interested to see what could have been done with some modern day rap, pop, alternative music, or even electronic music. The film kind of dropped the ball in that regard, but music is so subjective that's probably just my personal opinion. 

Basically exactly how Denver-D-bag-Subaru owners drive their cars in the mountains ^^

Baby Driver is a special film even while it may not be a perfect film. In my eyes, it's an excellent blueprint for some new type of genre, one where I hope we eventually get that all-time-classic that I think can be created from the marriage of film, action, and music. In order to get there (and to encourage more original/risky films such as this one), you need to support and see Baby Driver just like you would the next Marvel or Star Wars film. I promise you won't be disappointed. 

CONS

• The ending is a bit messy and the 2-3 false climaxes weren't really necessary. I feel like there was a better, more memorable ending to the film out there somewhere
• Some songs work better than others when being paired with the on-screen action
• Fairly strict song genres. I would have loved to see the film flex its creative muscles against a wider variety of music options

PROS

• Highly original and breathtaking to behold. When Baby Driver sings, it soars and it's some of the best material in 2017 thus far
• Music + action = dream come true for Jordan
• Perfectly cast film. Elgort and Spacey are the highlights but everyone else is stellar too
• Simple story that lets the film not get bogged down in confusion or plot twists
• Really well-done action. The editing is fantastic, the cinematography is effective, and the action itself is electric and inventive
• Great soundtrack that gives life to the film
• Handful of really funny moments
• It's an original action film that oozes cool and fun and will keep you entertained, likely even if its your fourth time watching it

Rath's Review Score | 9/10