It's time to face the music! Was Baby Driver, any good? It was alright for the most part. Worth the trip, seeing.

Rating: 8/10 (5 August 2017)

Although, sadly, this movie about a young, getaway driver, Baby (Ansel Elgort) trying to escape a life of crime, was not as well-written and put together, as director Edgar Wright's other films, were, like the comedic, 'Three Flavors Cornetto film' trilogy of 2004's 'Shaun of the Dead', 2007's 'Hot Fuzz', & 2013's 'At the World's End'. Without spoiling the movie, here's some reasons, why this film doesn't live up to those standards. First off, the poor-written script, had too many jarring dead end, plot-holes & an off-tinted timeline. Action scenes like the unexplained action with the vet, and the shoot-out, while purchasing illegal arms, seem a little forced. It kinda hurts, the pacing. Other scenes like the odd way, they introduce a 2001 model of IPOD in a 1980s setting & the short use of 1950s black & white footage for the climatic fantasy dream-like setting comes off as bizarre and surreal. Yes, it could be, said that Baby sees, his world as a series of snippets similar to channel surfing on the televisions, like how he parrots, dialogue lifted from what he sees on the boob tube, but I felt that, the movie doesn't explained it, well, through the use of other characters, to justified that. As much as I love the acting for everybody, especially, Jon Hamm & Jamie Fox & Kevin Spacey as part of Baby's crew. Exposition is just awkwardly introduction, throughout the movie. With sentences being spill out, that doesn't seem natural in human language. A good example of that, is most of the diner scenes. Also, it seems to me, the some of the actors, like Jon Bernthal & Flea were a bit wasted, in roles that were so limited. Wright really could had, add much more for them in the script, because, they come and go, without much explanation. Another thing, I notice, is that part of the script was written when Wright first conceived the story in 1994, such as the mention of Baby's backstory with 'Spirit of 1985' dialogue, the flashbacks with his parents & Baby love of tape recorder. Yet, other parts, seem to be, rewritten much later, including the use of IPODS, & certain cars. Because of this, the movie makes Baby seems way older than he supposed to be. Not only that, but it come off as confusing and somewhat dated, at times, despite having a modern day settling. It just doesn't mixed well. Don't get me wrong, I still do like, the carefully crafted fun in sync diegetic cinemograph style of filmmaking & the eclectic taste in music, such in the long pan shots with songs like 'the Harlem Shuffle' by Bob & Earl or the quick editing shoot-out sequence with 'Tequila' by the Button-Down Bass. However, there were parts of the movie that could had been taking more seriously, with the music choice, like 'Easy' by the Commodores and Queen's 'Compton Rock' to make, more of a connection with some of the supporting characters with Baby. Instead, it comes off, as soft spoken & kinda gimmicky. It didn't help fleshed out the characters, as much as it should had. A good example is the love sequences with Debora (Lily James), the waitress. Does she really have, no life, besides, becoming an accomplice to a criminal, she only met, a few days earlier!? Don't get me wrong, Lily James is a fine actress, and she did the best, she was given, but her character seems to be, only there to serve as a one-dimensional, manic pixie girl, and nothing more. Are we really supposed to believe, that awkward quiet guy with barely any charisma, somehow won her heart, just by, secretly, recording her voice!? Honestly, in the real-world, actions like that, would creep, sane women, the f-out! Also, films like 2011's 'Drive' told similar love story, better and a more realistic tone. Plus, I would, rather have the bittersweet ending to 'Drive', than the cop-out, cheesy & impracticable happy ending to this film. The two of them, barely had any chemistry at all. Also, I hate the idea, that finding a love-one, is the only reason to get, out of crime is a lame excuse. You would think, that the moral grounds, would be, strong enough to quit, but I guess, not. Things like that, are just overplayed. Plus, 2010's 'The Town' told that subplot, a lot better, than this film. Despite that, I thought, Ansel Elgort was alright in what he was given, even if some the coolness factor is lost because how much the titular character is essentially lifted from 1978's 'The Driver'. Baby is not as original as critics, make the character, out to be. I guess, if you're going to steal. Steal from the best. However, the worst thing about Baby, is how much, a Marty Stu, he was. OK, I get that, he would be, great in, editing music & using sign language, but parkouring? Where, did he learn that, while, driving, most of his life!? Don't get me wrong, those action scenes where he was running, were amazing, but it did, take me, out of the movie. Honestly, in general, I felt like, the action scene were, a little too outlandish. It basically mirrors, the Fast & the Furious franchise, in how silly, parts of it, were. Still, I love the fact that, little to no CGI or green screen used to film the car chase sequences. The driving is all practically done. Nevertheless, the car scenes in this movie, were not as tight and grounded, as I wanted it to be. Still, I did dig the little comedy, those action scenes in 'Baby Driver', had. Made me, want to witness Wright's 2003 Mint Royale's "Blue Song' music video, to see, what the differences were and where the cameos from Nick Frost & Walter Hill were. Overall: Even with its flaws, this movie was truly, mostly a super-charged & Adrenaline-Fueled fun flick. It's worth checking out. Highly recommended.