It was a sad time back in April
of 2014 when director Edgar Wright decided to part ways with Marvel
Studios over creative differences in regard to Ant-Man (2015).
With his unique stylistic approach, him overseeing that film was any comic book
and film fan’s dream come true. Ant-Man was still able to be a hit for the
studio. So it may have worked out for the best that Wright decided to direct Baby
Driver instead. On paper, this film has been done in a few different forms
a numerous amount of times in the past, yet it’s Edgar Wright’s vision and
talent that makes it stand out from anything you’ve ever witnessed on screen
before. So much energy and passion is put into his work, and it shows from
every little detail that’s combed over. Wright knows how to make an ok
actor/actress great, and a great one fantastic. So, with his combination of
great acting leads and creative brainpower, Baby Driver is a film you’ll
remember for quite some time.
Though why that is, is an important
question. Mostly everyone loves and enjoys music, and Wright took advantage of
that early in the film. He made the soundtrack an extra in depth character
itself that the main lead Baby (Ansel Elgort) couldn’t live
without. That’s how important it was. Whether you’re a fan of the certain type
of music chosen doesn’t matter. When you see how Baby uses the music to go
throughout his day it makes you smile. Baby acts as if every song he ever
listened to was tailored to him, as if he can make use of any song to
counteract any problem he may face. No matter what mood he’s in or obstacle he
has to overcome he has a song for it. This isn’t random. It’s embedded in his
character and revealed in short clips in relation to his backstory. So, it’s
not like he just chooses the musical vice to cope, he has no choice, and life
would be harder without it. By doing this, Baby’s character is the type that
doesn’t complain and always uses the cards he is dealt, making the best out of every
situation.
The rest of the film is filled with
other great actors too, including Kevin Spacey and Jamie Foxx.
Both characters are so different but are able to work together on screen to
pull off a job. Spacey is slightly terrifying. You don’t fear him from any type
of physical threat, but you know in an instance that you shouldn’t double cross
him. Foxx on the other hand appears to be a grenade just waiting to explode.
This guy has no remorse for anything, and will do anything to get what job he
needs done. While it sounds like I’m praising him, I am for his villainy, what
goes around comes around with his character.
This film is also so unconventional. As
soon as it appears that the plot is thinning out it blows back up tenfold with
no idea towards how it will end. Baby is in a jam and the worst jam possible.
He’s surrounded by horrible individuals from random walks of life and wants
nothing more but to escape. Then all of a sudden things change and he’s excited
to be a part of the team. This just goes to show how the superb writing came
through at the right moment to flip things on their head, making the outcome
unpredictable.
Let’s not forget about the action and
car chases, some being the best that’s been on screen in sometime while still
maintaining some form of realism. Baby is able to drive the heck out of that
car, and it’s so enjoyable to see as he takes advantage of average street
enclosures. The ending of the film got a little stilly with one of the baddies
going overboard with their monologuing. When an opportunity presents itself, it
should be taken advantage of, but it isn’t to create drama. This time it didn’t
work, and it turns the scene from an epic trial between two adversaries into a
looney cartoon that makes you scream at the screen.
Overall this film is a ton of fun with
so many aspects to enjoy. The characters, the music, and the way they’re drawn
together is truly something special that not too many directors could
accomplish. Edgar Wright is a true auteur with his talent behind the camera.
The way he edits each scene, with the sound mixing, makes the smallest detail
pop out on the screen. This man can make someone watering grass or folding
paper feel special, and he does that with every frame. Even though it’s not
perfect, it’s still a feature that’s worth it, and stands out from every other
film around.
8.5/10