Actor Ansel Elgort attends a special screening of “Baby Driver”, hosted by TriStar Pictures and The Cinema Society, at Metrograph on Monday, June 26, 2017, in New York. Photo by Brent N. Clarke | Invision.

Actor Ansel Elgort attends a special screening of “Baby Driver”, hosted by TriStar Pictures and The Cinema Society, at Metrograph on Monday, June 26, 2017, in New York. Photo by Brent N. Clarke | Invision.

Review Reel: Go, “Baby Driver,” go!

I am so weary of doom and gloom action thrillers. Too often are we subjected to burly Rambo types who slow-walked out of their mother’s womb, wielding a shotgun and a belt of grenades. You know what I’m talking about: protagonists without a sense of humor and often do little other than kill things. However, this isn’t always detrimental. Characters like John Wick and Judge Dredd would lose their appeal if they felt remorse as they piled the bodies high, but sometimes we just need a little more Peter Parker and a little less John McClane. “Baby Driver” delivers just that: an action hero that feels like a real-life human being. It’s pretty damn neat.

Our main character, the unfortunately-named Baby (Ansel Elgort), is a pretty average millennial. His music is too loud, he’s always trying to rush through work, and his soul is drowning in a tragic backstory. To pay off a debt he owes to a powerful crime boss (Kevin Spacey), Baby serves as a getaway driver in a string of bank robberies and high profile heists. After meeting and falling for his waitress at a local diner (Lily James), Baby finally zeros out his account and runs to freedom. Of course, nothing good ever lasts, and Baby is dragged back into the life he never wanted. With more at stake than ever before, Baby must drive to save those he loves.

“Baby Driver” is really easy to like. While the idea isn’t exactly fresh, it’s unique enough to stand above the rest of the pack. One thing that really stood out was the film’s excellent use of musical cues. The wide array of tracks “Baby” plays throughout the film breathes life into the narrative, and fulfills a purpose deeper than simply filling space. You’ll find yourself itching for your air guitar as the songs often sync perfectly with the action. Although gimmicky at times, it’s something that few movies have managed to do well (I’m looking at you, “Suicide Squad”). The film is fast-paced and exciting; I was pleasantly surprised to find myself unsure of what was going to happen next as the pulse-pounding third act raced by. As a cast… well, the actors definitely acted, though I can’t say any performance blew me away. It’s an action movie; nobody is seeing it for the acting, anyway.

This movie has its flaws, much like most people who aren’t me. As with many action films based in our reality, you have to stretch what you consider believable. It’s burdened by a few obvious plot holes, as well as some very confusing developments. More than once, a clearly defined character does something that denies what we know about them for no reason other than to advance the story. Maybe I’m nitpicky, but it makes what would be enthralling points disengaging, and there’s no excuse besides lazy writing. Be that as it may, “Baby Driver” is an above average thrill that’s definitely worth checking out. I give it 7/10 stars.


• Jordan Line lives and writes in Juneau.


More in Neighbors

The Dakhká Khwáan Dancers, who were named lead dance group for Celebration 2024. (Photo by Nobu Koch courtesy of Sealaska Heritage Institute)
Neighbors: SHI launches contest for Celebration 2024 art design

Sealaska Heritage Institute (SHI) is holding a contest to solicit a design… Continue reading

Stacks of dog and cat food sit on pallets after being donated during a previous Holiday Cat and Dog Food Drive hosted by the Grateful Dogs of Juneau. (Courtesy Photo / George Utermohle)
Neighbors briefs

14th annual Holiday Cat and Dog Food Drive starts Dec. 4 From… Continue reading

A large foamy heart in a Juneau creek formed by decaying organic matter (dead leaves and twigs) at the Twin Lakes area Nov. 27. (Photo by Denise Carroll)
Art in Unusual Places

The Juneau Empire welcomes reader-submitted photos of art in unusual or unexpected… Continue reading

The author getting ready to host a holiday dinner for her family in 2022. (Photo courtesy of Patty Schied)
Cooking For Pleasure: Stuffed with turkey sandwiches? Try stuffing turkey enchiladas

Now that you have eaten all the turkey sandwiches you want, all… Continue reading

Page Bridges of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Juneau. (Photo courtesy of Page Bridges)
Living and Growing: Heartbreak Hill

Trying to write about beauty and our need for it is hard.… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire File)
Community calendar of upcoming events

This is a calendar updated daily of upcoming local events during the… Continue reading

A public notice about one of several Thanksgiving proclamations President Abraham Lincoln issued during the Civil War. (Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum)
Living and Growing: Give thanks with a grateful heart

Happy Thanksgiving! Once again we celebrate what is a distinctively American holiday,… Continue reading

A female bear with her cubs: bears have direct-development life cycles, looking like bears from the time they are born. (Photo by Jos Bakker)
On the Trails: Animal life cycles

There are two basic life-cycle patterns among animals. Many animals have complex… Continue reading

(Jessica Spengler/CC BY 2.0 DEED)
Cooking For Pleasure: No trauma pie crust (that actually tastes good)

The secret is keeping all of the ingredients very cold.

Most Read