BABY DRIVER IS MY JAM

Baby Driver follows "Baby" (Ansel Elgort), a kid in his 20s who plays getaway driver for local criminal "Doc" (Kevin Spacey). "Baby" is Mozart behind the wheel, and the secret behind his success are his non-stop iPod songs, which he curates for the different situations he finds himself in. When "Baby" fall for waitress Deborah (Lily James), everything changes. As his jobs get more and more dangerous, "Baby" decides it's time for him to leave the game. Naturally, "Doc" and the crew ( "Bats" played by Jamie Foxx, "Buddy" played by Jon Hamm, and "Darling" played by Eiza Gonzalez) of what was supposed to be "Baby's" last job aren't pleased.

Edgar Wright has been the master behind some beloved films of the modern day: Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, and Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (I wasn't a huge fan of At World's End, but I will definitely say it wasn't weak). Now, we can add Baby Driver to that list. Baby Driver is a joyous ode to music and car chases that Wright first dreamt up twenty-two years ago. It was his being fired off Marvel's Ant-Man that inspired him to finally make the film. I'd say we're better off for it.

Wright crafts a new cinematic icon in Ansel Elgort's "Baby". As a kid, "Baby" was left with Tinnitus after a car crash that killed his parents. With a constant ringing in his ears, "Baby" turns to music to help him cope and soon it's fueling, moving and inspiring him. He has a clear love for music, as does the film itself (music plays a key role in the film). Elgort has had starring roles before (in Carrie and The Fault In Our Stars), but for my money I'd say this is the best he has ever been. He manages to convey a vulnerability, an earnestness and sincerity, and an irresistible youthful charm. Armed with his shades and trusty iPod, he just seems so darned cool. I'd like to think we can all relate to "Baby". Who hasn't jammed out to music while walking or driving (or wearing shades), and who hasn't felt "cool" while doing so?

The film is peppered with fantastic supporting performances. Jamie Foxx is delightfully insane as the unpredictable psycho "Bats". He acts as our antagonist for most of the film. Jon Hamm is very likable as the nice guy of the group, "Buddy". He has a fantastic arc that sees Hamm get to really show off his acting chops.  Eiza Gonzalez (from the From Dusk Till Dawn tv series) is drop dead sexy as his sweet girlfriend, "Darling". Flea is memorable as Eddie No-No's, a wacky member of an earlier job. Kevin Spacey is great as "Doc", the Fagin to Elgort's Oliver. Lily James is very pretty and cute as "Baby's" main squeeze, Deborah. I did like their romance, but I didn't feel fully invested in their whole running away together idea. CJ Jones makes a good impression as "Baby's" deaf adoptive guardian, who is worried about the criminal underworld "Baby" has gotten involved in. Everyone here is just about perfectly cast, and they all seem to be enjoying the hell out of their roles.

Baby Driver acts as a semi-musical. Just as music moves "Baby", so does music fuel the film. A good deal of the scenes in the film are semi-choreographed to songs, whether they be a car chase, "Doc" spelling out a plan for a heist, or "Baby" going to pick up coffee for the crew.  These scenes almost resemble musical numbers in a way. The songs chosen are pretty great as well, and a soundtrack buy is an obvious recommendation. It's also worth noting that Wright has reported that the whole film was done practically, and there wasn't a single CG shot in the film. What a breath of fresh air!

The only negatives I could say about Baby Driver is that the plot is cliche'd and trope-y (but this seems to be done in an homage to classic old-fashioned Hollywood), and "Baby" eventually does something that had me somewhat re-think my opinion of him. Baby Driver is Edgar Wright having fun and enjoying himself, while still throwing himself into his work. Just as in Shaun of The Dead and Hot Fuzz, his love for whatever he's paying homage to (in this case, music and car chases) shines through and feels genuinely sincere. When Edgar Wright has fun, it's hard not to have fun with him. Indeed, this film is a genuine blast from beginning to end. Baby Driver is a joyous ode to music, car chases, and old-school Hollywood. It's guaranteed to make you boogie in your seat.

5 STARS