Baby Driver: Some Expert Driving to an Awesome Soundtrack

BABY DRIVER

DIRECTED BY: Edgar Wright

STARRING: Ansel Elgort, Kevin Spacey, Lily James, Eiza González, Jon Hamm, Jamie Foxx, Jon Bernthal

GENRE: Action Comedy

YEAR: 2017

COUNTRY: United States, United Kingdom

Baby is a young and partially hearing impaired getaway driver who can make any wild move while in motion with the right track playing. It’s a critical talent he needs to survive his indentured servitude to the crime boss, Doc, who values his role in his meticulously planned robberies. However, just when Baby thinks he is finally free and clear to have his own life with his new girlfriend, Deborah, Doc coerces him back for another job. Now saddled with a crew of thugs too violently unstable to keep to Doc’s plans, Baby finds himself and everything he cares for in terrible danger. To survive and escape the coming maelstrom, it will take all of Baby’s skill, wits and daring, but even on the best track, can he make it when life is forcing him to face the music?

Alright, Edgar Wright, what do you have for us this time? The newest film to add to his already impressive catalog, Wright introduces us to Baby Driver, where he sure as hell takes us for one wild ride. The main cast performs rather well, even while being supported by a less than stellar supporting cast. There is a nice balance between action and somewhat vulgar comedy, so neither genre actually surpasses the other. By far the best element is Wright’s usage of the score as a character development tool, everything syncs up perfectly and it is a highlight of the experience.

However, no matter how much we like Baby Driver, there is still a glaring flaw. Our biggest issue is the motivation for Baby and Deborah’s relationship. Sure they met a few times and went on a date, but was that nearly enough to turn into a less murderous Bonnie and Clyde? The relationship definitely receives the action movie treatment, as it doesn’t even feel like a satire. Wright, you excel at satire? What is going on?

PROS:

• Nice balance of comedy and action.
• Main cast performance.
• Use of score for character development.

CONS:

• Supporting cast performance.
• Baby and Deborah’s relationship.
• Lack of satire.

SCORE: 8 / 10

If you have any suggestions for films/TV/Games/Music/Anime for me to review, drop me a comment!

Remember: Like Media In Review @ Facebook Follow Media in Review on Twitter.

All check out my lengthier video game reviews over at Nerd Bacon Games.b