Baby Driver - A Ride with Unique and Original Style, but with some Stereotypes

Ka-Chow! (Alright the headassery is done.)

Now, people say "Baby Driver" is similar to "Drive", and I kind of agree. I'm honestly indifferent on the matter.

I will say that "Baby Driver" and "Drive" do have similar themes, but they are still very different and "Drive", is much darker and Ryan Gosling's character (our King), is a maturer, darker, and more mysterious version of Baby from "Baby Driver".

I'm going to say right off the bat... the score for this movie MAKES the movie. If it wasn't spot-on, like it is, then this movie is just another generic ass car movie.

Synopsis:

After being forced into working for a crime boss, a young, innocent getaway driver finds himself taking part in a heist set up for failure.

Edgar Wright, did right with this movie, "Baby Driver" (Alright, now I'm done. Maybe.).

I want to start off by talking about Edgar Wright. Wright's track-record is impressive, to say the least. He is known for "Ant-Man", "The World's End", "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World", "Shaun of the Dead", etc. His lowest score on Rotten Tomatoes is a 71%, which is rare to see. Wright is known for his originality and unique style of filmmaking. In my opinion, "Baby Driver" is his best movie that showcases these skills.

The acting is FANTASTIC.

Jamie Foxx, steals the screen in every scene he is in. He does such a great job of making you hate his character. His tangents are great and I love when he just goes off on all of them.

Ansel Elgort, was a great casting decision, because he has that baby face and innocent look to him. This is his best role in my opinion.

Lily James, did beautifully and adds this spark to the film that really is subtle. Love her in "Mamma Mia 2".

Jon Hamm, does well in this different role that he really hasn't played before. He plays this hard, but whipped character that at first you like, but hate by the end. Different from "Mad Men".

Eiza Gonzales, is an under appreciated actor and she deserves bigger and better roles. She plays this attractive, badass, yet crazy criminal that makes the movie better with some of her dialogue.

Jon Bernthal, certified badass in everything he does. Plus, he's a great actor and I wish he was in the movie more.

Kevin Spacey, CANCELLED.

But, to jump into the actual movie the themes that are seen throughout it are mystery, innocence, and freedom. I'm sure I missed some, but those are the ones that stood out to me.

My favorite theme, in the movie is the mysteriousness. Everything about every character is a mystery, their names, personalities, backgrounds, and reason for doing the robberies. Every character is their own unique person and they are so odd and really none of them are redeemable characters. Except for Baby and Debora, of course.

The innocence, in this film is endearing. Baby, which his name just adds to the endearing factor, drives and puts himself in these dangerous situations to protect almost anyone who is close to him both physically and emotionally. He is a pure soul, in his own crime-ridden world. You see this occur multiple times throughout the movie when Bats (Jamie Foxx), tries to shoot people, Baby stops him. Or when Baby is stealing a car he gives the lady her baby and the old lady her purse and even apologizes.

A man. Wholesome.

Freedom, is the last theme. It's all Baby wants. It's all Debora wants. It's all Buddy (Jon Hamm) and Darling (Eiza Gonzales) want with each other. It's all Baby's, foster dad, wants for Baby. But, something or someone keeps holding them back from that.

Ansel Elgort (Baby), was a perfect casting choice for this movie, because he does have that baby face look to him and a sense of innocence as well. BUT, homeboy said he loves Debora WAY TOO EARLY! Like... CHILL! Lily James, is beautiful, but to say he loves her after a few weeks?! Is CRAZY!

However, that shows Baby's innocence and purity once again, so it wasn't surprising to see that in the film.

To move on to Debora (Lily James), who did great for it being her first real big role. She added the excitement and flare in Baby's life that he needed. She brought mystery to his life as well and he wanted to know her. Just like she wanted to know him for the same reasons. A couple clichés, but overall she brought a subtle spunkiness to the character that brought energy to the movie.

Now, my favorite thing about movies... the cinematography. The way it was shot was great from start to finish. One of the first scenes when Baby is evading the police and you see the red Subaru drifting and it looks like it's about to hit the camera, but at the last second it doesn't, is fantastic! Another shot that struck my attention was when Baby and Debora were in the laundry room. Now, it's not actually them two that catch my eye, but what's being represented behind them. The clothes in the dryer.

What about the clothes in the dryer?

Well, if you look closely you'll see a pattern. Red, blue, and yellow. It's repeating over and over again.

You are probably thinking "Okay??? Cool. What makes this so intriguing?"

What's so intriguing about this is that those three colors are purposely placed and repeated numerous times, because each color represents a feeling, or in this case feelings.

I lied before, color archetypes are my favorite thing about film. Anyways, the colors have a positive connotation to them and a negative connotation. In this scene it is all positive, if you want to see examples of where it's both positive and negative you'll just have to stick around and read my review for "La La Land".

Red, represents life, energy (it's like I mentioned that Lily James's character brings new energy and life to the movie and to Baby), and love. Blue, represents loyalty, calmness, and spiritual purity (they are both pure and already so loyal to one another). For the last color, yellow, it's personally my favorite showcased, because you have to think about what it represents and yellow represents illumination (which they are both bringing light into each others lives), perfection (they both are having the most fun they've ever had and in a laundromat), and wealth (they are rich with happiness and love).

It is a beautiful scene and honestly my favorite scene of the movie. So much emotion was shared with the audience and with little dialogue too. It is a powerful scene and a turning point for Baby, in the movie.

I love the scene so much, because it feels authentic and I honestly feel like I'm a customer in the laundromat.

If I really was there I definitely would have said some sus shit like " A HA HA HA..." never mind I'm not going to say it.

The editing is wonderful, it's not sloppy, quick cuts, and almost Quentin Tarantino like.

The dialogue is solid and just the right amount of corny. I think it's purposely corny at times too and it works. Some lines do seem forced from Baby, but overall love the quirky dialogue.

The pacing of the film is smooth. One of the few issues I have is it seems a little rushed towards the end.

Now, the action sequences with guns are really dope, because each time a bullet is fired it seems to go with the rhythm of the song that is playing and they nail it every time.

Which brings me to my final point of the movie. I mentioned it briefly, but the score/soundtrack for this movie is the best part about it. It's like they built the movie around the music, because if any song is not perfect with the movie at any point I feel like it would ruin the whole movie and take the originality away and the unique style. You really only see the lining up of gunfire and music in trailers, but this was throughout the whole movie and not just with gunfire. The music lined up with the movie when they were counting money, when Baby was making the beat, making his foster dad's sandwich, etc.

I loved it and it keeps the viewers eyes glued to the screen.

Some things that bothered me though were the weird southern accents from Baby and Debora. I know Edgar Wright was trying to go with something there, but it threw me off. I also mentioned how it seemed rushed at the end, which is not a big deal, but I felt it got a little lazy their. The last issue are the cops, They just seem DUMB as HELL in here. Really bad drivers too and not self-aware at all. Like Buddy has a pistol underneath a newspaper and a cop walks by and sees his bloody, battered face, and doesn't think to ask any questions? They need to play some "Midnight Club: LA" or something too, because they out here driving like I did when I was 14.

Overall I give this movie an 84/100. It's fun, pure, original, and easily rewatchable.

P.S. I know I said I would review "JOKER", but my internet has been down at my apartment since last Friday and I had to come to the library to watch "Baby Driver". I promise I will review "JOKER" soon.

Let me know what I could improve on in these reviews!

ALSO... probably going to review Blade Runner 2049 and La La Land this coming week. I have watched both these movies an unhealthy amount the last few weeks. Both AMAZING and both have Ryan Gosling (our KING).

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