V-room, V-room

I'm not a fan of thrill ride theme parks.   I am a big fan of movies that make you feel like you're on a thrill ride at a theme park.   And "Baby Driver" does that with all the exhilaration and excitement you would feel on the super-duper new roller coaster ride at Six Flags.

Indeed, this film superbly crafted by screenwriter/director Edgar Wright just might be the most fun I have had at the movies in a long, long time.  Ideal for summer with its hair raising chase scenes, "Baby Driver" also stands out from the rest for being very sparse with the CGI effects that usually dominate the hot weather cinematic fare.  This one is definitely old school with its main contribution likely coming from stunt drivers and not graphics designers.   All the action, set in downtown Atlanta, looks incredibly real and that adds to the enjoyment.   

For me, the quintessential summer action film has always been the original "Die Hard."   That one immediately threw you into a situation with an every day hero that you could quickly identify with.   Here, in lieu of Bruce Willis, you get the soon-to-be-big-star Ansel Elgort as "Baby."   Always sporting sun glasses and wearing ear buds for music to help with the hearing issues he developed as a child (the backstory works), Baby's specialty is driving the getaway car for heists that are masterminded by the again-sinister Kevin Spacey, who's now playing every role like he's Frank Underwood.  Baby is paying off some unspecified debt to him and he longs for the one last job that will set him free. Naturally, this is like the Godfather and just when you think you're out, they pull you back in.

In a remarkably real and tender scene, Baby connects with a diner waitress played by Lily James who was Lady Rose on "Downton Abbey."   The dialogue between them is so real that you feel like you're eavesdropping.   They start planning a life together.  But, Spacey calls and there's another job, this time with real nasty guys played by Jamie Foxx and Jon Hamm.   This has all the looks of not ending well for Baby.  Who cares?  You have been sucked into this vortex like Baby is a big way.

There are two stunning set pieces that are not to be missed.   The opening car chase is mind boggling and, later on, a chase on foot is magnificently choreographed.   I haven't seen an action film this good since...well..."Die Hard."

"Baby Driver" will be the best movie you saw this summer.  Even more, for me, "Baby Driver" just might be the best movie I see all year.

LEN'S RATING:  Four stars.

Dinner last night:  Grilled bratwurst and onions.