Nerdlocker Movie Review: Baby Driver

Never has music and bank robbery been so symbiotic. Edgar Wright brings his signature fast paced editing and breakneck zoom-ins to the often tired genre of cops and robbers. With interesting characters and a killer soundtrack, Baby Driver is a summer movie for those that know the difference between good entertainment and Transformers. Much like Paul Greengrass and shaky cam, Wright has the ability to fast-edit and make it not only coherent but enjoyable and lively. He also manages to take old story beats and make them feel welcome and viable. The romance between the hero and his love interest is not just fun to watch but feels necessary and honest.

With a tremendous mastery of his craft, Wright combines stylish action, hilarious comedy, fascinating characters and amazingly enough he tops it all off with a heart and brain to really send the message home that he is at the top of his game. With the action scenes there is a fluidity to the camera pans and zooms that make you feel like a passenger on the wildest ride of your life. At the helm of the wheel is Baby, played coolly by Ansel Elgort who shines equal parts innocence and bad boy making for some truly entertaining scenes with his much more abrasive cohorts.

A unique and fresh approach to the film is found in the music and just as much as Baby, the soundtrack drives the film forward with hard right turns, sudden stops and an always smooth finish. With smart storytelling his most notable character trait is the music he listens to with earbuds to drown out the world around him and the constant ringing in his ears while simultaneously being the best driver around. So sayeth Kevin Spacey and we don’t argue with Kevin Spacey. In the music Baby finds his groove to drive like a skilled maniac and with the beats blaring, he’s but a flash and tire smoke as the police struggle to even find the gas peddle.

Although familiar at times, Baby Driver diverts expectations in the name of originality and quality and achieves it tenfold. Likable characters and a taut story combine with hilarity and drama for a unique, absolute blast of a film. Edgar Wright proves himself yet again and maybe, just maybe, someday more people will start to notice his genius film making. A guy can dream can’t he? Much like his previous films, this one only makes me eager to see what’s next for him. Baby Driver is the adult fun of the summer blockbusters and carries that torch proudly and confidently. See this film and help spread the itch of great storytelling. Of course there’s always the robots… ugh.

Rated R For: violence and language throughout
Runtime: 113 minutes
Genre: Action, Crime, Music, Comedy
After Credits Scene: No
Starring: Ansel Elgort, Kevin Spacey, Jamie Foxx, Jon Hamm, Lily James, Jon Bernthal
Directed By: Edgar Wright

Out of 5 Nerdskulls
Story: 4.5/ Acting: 4.5/ Directing: 5/ Visuals: 5
OVERALL: 4.5 Nerdskulls

Buy to Own: Yes

Check out the trailer below: