Yeah BABY!

Rating: 8/10 (9 January 2019)

Meet "Baby" (Ansel Elgort), a young, male, getaway driver who also happens to have Tinnitus. Baby works for a crime boss who calls himself "Doc" (played perfectly by Kevin Spacey). Doc is known for crafting robberies using different teams each time. No matter who is in the team (normally thugs or violent criminals), Baby is called upon as the perfect getaway driver for the job. After completing what was announced to be his "last getaway job", Baby wishes to live a normal life, even more so after he meets a young girl named Debora and falls in love. Baby soon discovers that he can't escape his old life just yet...
This film is directed by Edgar Wright, whose resume of films include smashing hits such as Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz & Scott Pilgrim VS the World. Once again, Edgar Wright delivers another film with clever action sequences and an audio track that will have you leaving the cinema wanting to purchase the film's soundtrack (on vinyl naturally). I was amazed during musical numbers just how many sound effects were in time with the music and I cannot deny how much fun it was to see. The list of effects includes Gunshots, footsteps, car engines, phones ringing and the list goes on. All of these sounds are critical to the film's soundtrack and also assist in how the film is overall paced.
The criminal cast in Baby Driver is a cast loaded with fun and talent. Actors Jon Hamm, Elza Gonzalez and Jamie Foxx all added a wide range of chemistry, all carrying something different. Ultimately, their actions as characters become unpredictable and it was surprising to see where they end up. The stand out from the extra cast members was easily Jamie Foxx for me- I enjoyed seeing his delivery of witty one liners. Overall, you can tell the actors here are all enjoying the film themselves.
With an opening that gets the cinema crowd fueled for the ride, Baby Driver does feel like it slows down in its gears until the 3rd act where it once again becomes a fast paced film. In the slower middle section, we watch Baby discover a new love, even a new job, until Baby is forced into action once again. The romance in this film is also a little cheesy as characters fall in love with each after one date, to the point they are both prepared to leave the city forever in just in a snap of short time. This isn't a massive issue for me, but for some it may come across as a very corny romance sequence.
Overall, Baby Driver, as expected, delivers the goods. With an overall fast paced ride at the start and finish of the film, sadly the slower portions in the middle hold back the film. Director Edgar Wright has captured and created a film with solid sound effects, car stunts, a great soundtrack and by working with a talented cast line, the film will leave most of the cinema audiences shocked and stunned. As expected for an Edgar Wright film, there's some fun to be had here.
8.3/10
Walkden Entertainment