Baby Driver (2017)
2017
R
113 Minutes
After being coerced into working for a crime boss, a young getaway driver finds himself taking part in a heist doomed to fail.
User Review
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Edgar Wright has made something special here: a film that perfectly balances comedy, romance, and action, while boasting a masterful soundtrack as impactful to the film as any of its principle actors. With the exception of my childhood discovery of Star Wars, I can't think of another film that has given me the rush of elation and excitement that Baby Driver delivers.
Unabashed gushing aside, Baby Driver is not a perfect film. The first hour is truly exceptional; the car chases are thrilling, the performances are superb, and the combination of Wright's camera work and musical choices--even if a bit derivative of Guardians of the Galaxy--makes it hard to take your eyes off the screen. Near the end of the second act is when the film's energy dips, and the story goes in directions I wouldn't have chosen.
Wright had built meaningful tension with Doc (Kevin Spacey) using Baby's powerful feelings of love for Debora (Lily James) as leverage towards recruitment for future jobs. Rather than let this be the driving conflict towards the climax, the final villain becomes Buddy (Jon Hamm)--a character I liked, and didn't enjoy seeing turn heel--while Doc transitions into an unlikely ally. This role reversal feels out of place, and massively unsatisfying. Also, the film's final action is mostly the stock gunfighting you can get anywhere; the breathtaking high-speed chase action that gave this film character is not reprised.
Despite my disappointment with how Baby Driver concludes, this film is absolutely required viewing. Allow me to put a finer point on it: Baby Driver is drop-what-you're-doing-this-second-and-go-get-it kind of good. So what are you waiting for?1 member likes this review.
