Style over substance???

Rating: 6/10 (18 July 2017)

Went into this film with an open mind because the trailers looked promising and the cast was excellent. Edgar Wright has never been a director that I've personally held in high regard, that is not to say that any of his films are bad, its just there solid and enjoyable films nothing to rave about a lot.
Now Im personally quite conflicted in my opinion of this film because I want to like it a lot, there is a lot to like in this film, however there are big aspects of it that just don't work for me personally. The problems I have however probably don't have an impact on anyone else's experience watching this film.
Lets start with the positives of the film, Firstly Edgar Wright and his directing and style. This film is beautifully shot every frame in the film is a joy to watch, complimented brilliantly with the fantastic editing of the film. I can't remember watching a film that has been so brilliantly and elegantly edited, it elevates scenes perfectly especially in the fast paced car actions. Wright has pulled out all the stops with this film in terms of his directing there is clear sense of purpose for every shot and movement the camera makes thought out the film. His directing and editing in this film is something to be marvelled at and applauded.
The cast of the film, as mentioned earlier, was one of the main reasons for watching the film in the first place. Everyone in the film gives a good performance with what their given, more about the screenplay later, and majority of them seem to have great chemistry together. Ansel Elgort steps up and gives a good, solid main performance of the film, which I was slightly nervous about however he proved me wrong and was great. Lily James also made me little nervous about her casting in this film but once again she proved me wrong and was a good addition to the cast, even though her role was not as big as I though it would have been. As for the rest of the cast legends like Kevin Spacey, Jamie Foxx and John Hamm are all great but you would expect that from them.
The final positive of the film for me is the action which is done perfectly and is stunning to watch, however it must have been a nightmare to put together. All the car chases in the film and especially the opening of the film are heart pounding and a edge of your seat ride to watch, they are never a dull moment. The action coupled together with Wright's directing and editing style is a match made in heaven, pure brilliance.
Now lets turn our attention to the negatives of the film, firstly the soundtrack to the film. At the first and especially in the opening scene the soundtrack works brilliantly and is joy to watch, however the more the film goes on the more stagnant, boring and annoying it becomes. For me personally it becomes to repetitive of just one greatest hit after another and another and another and so on......It starts to take me out of the film which is really annoying and can ruin some scenes, it suffers from the same problem that Suicide Squad had when it comes to soundtrack, dare I say it.
The story and screenplay of the film, it is simple at its core however the majority of the characters are given terrible dialogue to say. The story of a get-a-way driver is nothing new, there is nothing wrong with that, and this film has a simple premise of bank jobs and such. However the stories and background stories to the characters is pathetic, majority of them including the main character Baby hardly have a backstory apart from the fact his parents are dead. The only character with any charisma , charm and wit throughout the film is Jamie Foxx's character, which at best is a side character to the film. The story and the journey of the film becomes really boring and dull because you as the audience don't have a great bond with any of the "good" characters, because it is forced upon us. Talking of a force relationship the "romance" of the film is really poorly set up and after just one day, its like they've been together for years. Its really rushed and really cliché and a poor attempt to make us, the audience care.
All in all the core problems of the film, for me personally, have hindered me from enjoying it. Yes there are some great moments in the film and some really good technical accomplishments but however when a film can't get the solid needs of a foundation for a story right then the rest of the film is trying to balance. I saw an interview recently with Edgar Wright saying that he designed the soundtrack to the film, before writing the script, and oh boy does it show, definitely not one of his best written films to date. 60% out of 100 or 6 out of 10 a Good film however is let down in certain areas, if your just looking for a film to be entertained by great action and music then this is the film for you and that is fine, its just not for everyone a bit of a disappointment.