The Coolest Thing This Side of Tarantino

Rating: 9/10 (7 July 2017)

Earlier this year, the Guardians of the Galaxy sequel dropped, and along with it another "Awesome Mix" soundtrack of 70s classics. Regardless of how you felt about that movie or soundtrack (which I liked), there is little doubt that Baby Driver will effectively side-swipe it. You may be wondering why I'm starting a FILM review by talking about the music. That's because Wright (Hot Fuzz, Scott Pilgrim) has essentially made the greatest narrative music video ever made in this precisely edited and incredibly shot homage to MTV and 70s exploitation. Filled with old iPods, random sing-alongs and musically rhythmic gunfights, it's the coolest thing this side of Tarantino, with Wright's brainy charms seeping from every pore. Elgort plays Baby, a criminal getaway driver with otherworldly abilities behind the wheel. However, Baby has a consistent humming in his ear, and he uses (very specific) songs to drown out the noise and soundtrack his life. Because we spend basically every minute with him, the movie eschews the actual action in favor of patient tension through Baby's seemingly endless playlist of left-of-the-dial bangers. It's brilliant and effective and just-plain-fun. When we do get action, it's some of the most balls-to-the-wall packed goodness since Fury Road, with a climax that is breathtakingly intense. It's a crying shame this won't be seen as widely as other inferior car / action movies from this year (Cars, Furious), as it's as undoubtedly better, while also as widely entertaining. So do yourself a favor: find a big screen with a killer sound system, and enjoy this high-speed, sports-car-cool gem that will prove to be one of the best pure movie-going experiences you'll have all year.