Pub.lished Movie Reviews
Baby Driver (2017)
"Baby Driver" gets so many of the small details right that it's a shame it doesn't attempt to rectify some of the bigger issues.
The film is a tribute to music. The intricate syncing of sound and scenery is close to perfect. The music is flawless. The settings are flawless. They are delicately combined to produce something I have never experienced before.
Baby listens to music, and thus, we do too. There's even a reason why Baby constantly wears headphones - he has tinnitus, a condition caused by an unfortunate accident that also took the lives of his parents. No, this is not a Disney film, so don't worry.
Baby is a criminal. When he falls in love, he wishes to leave his life of crime. But unfortunately, while you can take the game out of the player, you can't take the player out of the game.
While the storyline is familiar, the cinematography and soundtrack provide a refreshing change. That said, the characters seem to merely be puppets of the plot. Their actions don't make much sense, except to progress the plot towards its inevitable end.
A minor issue I had with the film is that Baby drives his cars barehanded, then just leaves the vehicle for the police to find. Has he never heard of fingerprints? This minor detail happens early on in the film and it always spoils the movie for me. I find myself being pulled out of the film's world, thinking about how simple it would have been for the director to have the actor wear driving gloves.
"If you don't see me again, it's because I'm dead."
- You are under the age of 15 years old. The movie contains violent scenes that may not be suitable for younger viewers.
- You are not a fan of action movies.
- You dislike movies with fast-paced car chases.
- You prefer movies with a character-focused, slow-paced plot.
- You get easily confused by movies with intertwined storylines.
Warning: The following may contain spoilers:
What's the deal with "Baby Driver"? I mean, the title itself already sounds like a Pixar movie. You're half-expecting to see a diaper-clad toddler behind the wheel of a hot rod, aren't you?
And yet, here we have Baby, who's not really a baby, but a getaway driver. Isn't it ironic that a guy named Baby who loves loud music, has a condition that could be worsened by the very thing he loves? It's like rain on your wedding day, am I right? But it's also ironic.
I also loved the subtle irony of Baby's job as a pizza delivery guy. Who would have thought? The fastest driver in town, delivering pizzas! It's like hiring an Olympic sprinter to deliver your mail. I mean, if he's hand delivering each pizza at 100 miles per hour, those pizzas must arrive hotter than the surface of the sun! It's a pity they still take 20 minutes to cook.
The Italian Job (2003)
Another movie to check out is "The Italian Job". Much like "Baby Driver," it is a sleek, modern heist film with a heavy emphasis on intricate car chases. In this film, a group of thieves led by Mark Wahlberg's character, plan an elaborate gold heist against their former ally who has betrayed them. The Mini Cooper car chases through the streets of Los Angeles are something to behold.
Drive (2011):If you loved "Baby Driver," you might enjoy "Drive". Starring Ryan Gosling, this film also has cool fast-paced car chase sequences and an eerily silent protagonist. Gosling turns in a performance that's more stoic than Ansel Elgort's Baby, but no less charismatic. The film is directed by Nicolas Winding Refn, known for his unique visual style and suspenseful storytelling. Furthermore, like "Baby Driver," it features an impressive soundtrack that sets the tone for the whole movie.
Hot Fuzz (2007):Directed by Edgar Wright, the same director as "Baby Driver," "Hot Fuzz" is from his Cornetto trilogy with Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. The film is a clever mix of buddy-cop action and British humor, with slick editing and dynamic storytelling in a similar style as "Baby Driver." It's not as action-heavy in terms of car chases, but the rapid-fire comedy and carnival of carnage should appeal to any fan of the "Baby Driver."
The Transporter (2002):"The Transporter," a high-octane action film starring Jason Statham, is worthy of your attention if "Baby Driver" revved your engine. Statham plays a driver for hire, who, much like Baby, finds himself in over his head when a job goes south. It's filled with non-stop action, incredible car chases, and the charm that only Jason Statham can bring to an action film.
Casino Royale (2006)This reboot of the James Bond franchise has several impressive car chases that should appeal to "Baby Driver" fans. Directed by Martin Campbell and starring Daniel Craig in his first outing as James Bond, "Casino Royale" is a thrilling mix of espionage intrigue and action-packed sequences. It raised the bar for the series and has since become a modern classic.
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