A prodigy of the genre, with a musical soul, from a brilliant director like Edgar Wright
Detractors of musical films are very expressive about their disdain, which they usually justify on the basis that the credibility of the story is broken the moment someone starts singing or dancing. Of course, a crazy car chase through the city or a very loud shootout is social realism and not a good resource of cinematographic spectacular. Luckily we have films like ‘Baby Driver’ capable of uniting these disparate but striking elements.
Starting with the perfect soundtrack
Edgar Wright makes one of his most original films, which at the same time is one of the most referential, in this successful cannonball starring Ansel Elgort and Lily James. Pure rhythm and energy of a musical, but also exuberant action and crime thriller spectacle that you can stream on Netflix for a limited time (April 30 is the last day that will remain in the catalog).
Elgort is the “Baby” of the title, an expert conductor as well as an introverted music fan who sync all your trips with your favorite songs. Some tendencies that his fellow robbers don’t fully understand, but he is so good at what he does that it is overlooked. Baby will carry out these attacks until he can cover her debt with a fearsome gangster, hoping to finally escape with the girl he likes.
Wright’s films have always stood out for that freshness and rhythm that gives a very frenetic and forceful montage. Here he takes it to another level with such well-articulated planning and staging around his fabulous songs, which have been meticulously chosen. From the shootings to the chases, they are well linked to these themes that make up a sensational and varied soundtrack.
The references are quite visible, but as characterizes the British cinema, everything is remixed with great taste as well as electrifying energy. He achieves something quite stimulating and that feels quite unique in the process, showing off all the audiovisual power of cinema with sequences full of movement and action.
Of course, it doesn’t hurt that, apart from the effective romantic story, everything is based on the power of heist cinema, one of those genres that is always exciting and full of the right intensity. ‘Baby Driver’ presents a good compilation of things that are cool, takes them to their most amazing heights, and achieves the kind of miracle that Hollywood rarely offers us.
In Espinof:
