Movie Review: Baby Driver (2017)

Baby Driver is a lot of fun. It has a smashing soundtrack, killer stunt driving, and an outstanding supporting cast. The writing, by director Edgar Wright, is sly and subverts expectations. Overall, it’s a film worth watching on the big screen.

Baby Driver focuses on Baby (Ansel Elgort), a young getaway driver employed by Doc (Kevin Spacey). Baby is fantastic at his job but wants to go straight; the thieves he works with constantly tell him he doesn’t belong in their world. When he meets a nice young woman (Lily James), he becomes even more desperate to make a fresh start. But the latest job turns out to be more dangerous than anyone expected…

The veteran actors surrounding Elgort are superb. Spacey is in fine form as a criminal mastermind with a firm grip on his favorite “employee.” His crew includes Jon Hamm, sleazy as Buddy, his beloved Darling (Eiza Gonzalez), and Jamie Foxx as the menacing Bats. Their conversations among each other, and their interactions with the taciturn and music-obsessed Baby, are often hilarious.

Speaking of music, it plays an outsize role in the proceedings. Baby is on his iPod all the time, and he has playlists for his jobs. He can’t drive unless he’s listening to what he thinks is a fitting track. A tragedy lies behind his compulsion, which makes him that much more sympathetic as a protagonist. Like Star-lord from Guardians of the Galaxy, Baby will put himself in danger to retrieve something of sentimental value.

The only other thing bigger than the music is the driving. Baby Driver delivers the goods, one hundred percent. It’s a blast watching Baby coolly outmaneuvering and outrunning all pursuers as his chosen music blares. The ordinariness of the getaway cars makes his work even more impressive.

My only beef with this movie is Elgort. He mainly has two expressions: blank and glowering. Baby only sheds his unflappable demeanor when he meets James’ Debora, and even then he’s awkward. But hey, maybe that’s the point. In any case, the strength of the writing, acting, driving, and soundtrack made me actually root for the kid.

The final clashes are intense, and in the end, the movie doles out justice for everyone, including Baby. It’s a satisfying conclusion to a fun, occasionally alarming ride.

TL;DR: More like Awesome Driver, amirite? 

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