Baby Driver Review

There are movies that play a lot of popular music in the background, and then there's Baby Driver. The vast majority of the movie is set to some kind of music, and much of the action is set to the beat of the songs. This is one of the factors that help Baby Driver to become one of the most fresh and fun action movies in years.

It centers around Baby (Ansel Elgort), a young getaway driver who is in debt to a major heist planner (Kevin Spacey). Ever since his parents died in a car crash, there has been a ringing in his ears, which he drowns out with music. Now, he relies on the music to heighten his awareness as he drives, making him the best at what he does.

The movie is directed by Edgar Wright, who is known for directing Scott Pilgrim vs the World and Shaun of the Dead. He brings the same energy and then some to this project, creating something that remains fun and lively throughout. It is a gangster comedy, much like Pulp Fiction, with smart dialog, and even more dark humor and pop culture references. It is very funny, and very well-written. Kevin Spacey and Jamie Foxx are the standouts here, but the mostly silent Baby is still an extremely interesting character.

Many of the scenes, especially the action sequences, are choreographed to fit with the rhythm of the music. The action gets more intense when the music speeds up. Machine guns fire off to the beat of the songs. This rhythm gives the movie a unique, music video-like feel, that is unlike anything you've seen in the theater.

Baby Driver is an experience unlike few others. It is proof that movies can be fun and thrilling without sacrificing intelligent writing.

5 out of 5 stars