Hello everyone!
I recently watched Baby Driver (2017), and this was honestly one of those movies that I went into without knowing exactly what to expect. I knew it had something to do with cars, criminals and a getaway driver, and I had also heard a lot about its music. But I didn't realize just how much the music would actually become a part of the movie.
After watching it, I can definitely understand why Baby Driver has such a strong fanbase.
This is a movie that has a very different style from most crime and action movies. It has car chases, guns, robberies and criminals, but at the same time it feels almost like a musical because the action and editing are so closely connected to the soundtrack.
And honestly, that combination works really well.
Before I continue, this review is completely spoiler-free, so I won't be discussing any major events or twists from the movie.
The Story
Baby Driver follows Baby, played by Ansel Elgort, who works as a getaway driver for criminals.
He's extremely good behind the wheel, and that's probably an understatement.
Baby has an incredible ability to drive through traffic, narrow streets and dangerous situations while staying calm behind the wheel. But there is more to his character than just being a talented driver.
He constantly listens to music through his headphones.
And I mean constantly.
Music is a huge part of Baby's life, and the movie uses this idea in a really creative way.
Baby's life isn't exactly simple. He's involved with criminals because of circumstances from his past, but he also wants something different for himself.
He wants a normal life.
He wants to move on.
And he wants to spend time with someone he cares about.
Without getting into any spoilers, the story is basically about Baby trying to balance these two different worlds.
On one side, there's the dangerous criminal world that he's already involved in.
On the other, there's the possibility of having a normal life.
That basic idea isn't completely new, but the way Edgar Wright presents it makes it feel fresh.
Ansel Elgort as Baby
I thought Ansel Elgort was really good in this movie.
Baby is an interesting character because he doesn't act like the typical action-movie protagonist.
He's quiet.
He doesn't talk much.
He usually keeps his emotions to himself.
And then you put him behind the wheel of a car and suddenly he becomes a completely different person.
That contrast is one of the things I liked most about him.
Baby also has this habit of listening to music almost everywhere he goes, which gives him a unique personality.
The headphones almost feel like his way of escaping from the world around him.
Whenever things get too loud or stressful, he has his music.
I also liked the fact that Baby isn't portrayed as some unstoppable superhero. He's talented, but he's still vulnerable and can make mistakes.
That makes him easier to connect with.
The Music
This is probably the most important part of Baby Driver.
The soundtrack is amazing.
There are so many songs throughout the movie, and the best part is that the music isn't simply playing in the background.
The movie is built around it.
Baby moves to the music.
The editing follows the music.
The action follows the music.
Sometimes even everyday activities are timed perfectly with whatever song Baby is listening to.
It's a really clever idea.
There were several moments where I found myself paying more attention to how perfectly everything was synchronized with the music than to what was actually happening in the scene.
Edgar Wright clearly put a huge amount of thought into this.
And because the songs come from different eras and styles, the soundtrack never feels boring.
You get rock, soul, pop and other types of music, and somehow it all fits the movie.
The Car Chases
Obviously, we can't talk about Baby Driver without talking about the driving.
The car chases are fantastic.
But what makes them different from a lot of other action movies is that the driving feels like part of the choreography.
Baby isn't just driving fast.
He's moving the car according to the music and the rhythm of the scene.
There are sharp turns, tight spaces, sudden changes in direction and some really impressive driving.
And the movie doesn't constantly rely on huge explosions to make the action exciting.
Sometimes a well-timed turn is more satisfying than another giant explosion.
I also really liked how the movie makes driving feel like a skill.
Baby knows exactly what he's doing.
You can tell that he studies the streets and understands how cars behave.
The driving scenes are probably the main reason I would recommend this movie to anyone who loves cars.
The Supporting Cast
The supporting cast is another big strength.
Kevin Spacey plays Doc, the criminal mastermind who organizes the robberies. His character is calm, intelligent and intimidating in a different way.
Then there's Jamie Foxx as Bats.
And honestly, Bats is one of those characters where you never really know what he's going to do next.
He's unpredictable and aggressive, which makes every scene involving him feel a little more dangerous.
Jon Hamm also has an important role, and I really liked his character.
Then we have Lily James as Debora, who brings a softer side to the movie.
The chemistry between Baby and Debora is important because it gives Baby something outside of the criminal world to care about.
It also gives the movie some emotional balance.
Without that side of the story, Baby Driver could have just been two hours of cars and guns.
And while I would probably still enjoy that, the emotional side makes the movie more complete.
Edgar Wright's Style
I've watched a few Edgar Wright movies before, and one thing I've noticed is that he has a very recognizable style.
His movies move quickly, but they don't feel messy.
There's a lot of editing, visual jokes, clever transitions and things happening in the background.
Baby Driver might be his most music-focused movie, though.
Almost every scene feels carefully planned.
Even something as simple as Baby walking down the street can become a little musical sequence.
There are also some really creative transitions.
I especially liked how the movie uses sound.
When Baby takes his headphones off, the world suddenly sounds different.
You hear traffic, conversations and background noise much more clearly.
Then he puts the headphones back on and suddenly the music takes over again.
It's a small detail, but it makes you feel like you're experiencing the world from Baby's perspective.
The Action and Violence
The movie does have quite a bit of violence.
This isn't a clean, family-friendly car movie.
These are criminals, and things can get pretty serious.
However, the action doesn't feel unnecessarily complicated.
Most of the action is there to move the story forward or show us what these characters are capable of.
And because the movie has such a stylish presentation, sometimes the violence feels almost surreal.
One minute you're watching Baby calmly listening to music, and the next you're in the middle of a dangerous situation.
That contrast works really well.
Conclusion
Overall, Baby Driver (2017) is a really fun movie.
It's a crime movie.
It's an action movie.
It's a car movie.
It's a romance.
And somehow it also feels like a musical.
That's probably the best way I can describe it.
The biggest strength of Baby Driver is how everything works together. The music, driving, editing, cinematography and action aren't separate parts of the movie. They all work together as one thing.
Ansel Elgort gives Baby a quiet but memorable personality, while the supporting cast brings plenty of energy and unpredictability.
And the soundtrack is definitely something I'll remember.
I also think this is one of those movies that could be even more enjoyable on a rewatch because once you know the story, you can pay more attention to all the little details, music cues and visual tricks that Edgar Wright has included.
For me, the movie was exactly what I wanted from a fun action movie without feeling like just another generic action movie.
Anyway thats it for this post. Please do give your reviews in the comments section below. I would really appreciate it :)
I'll be back with another one soon. So do follow me if you want to stay updated. Till then, Stay Happy and Stay Hydrated.
