This week, fan favorite director Edgar Wright returns to theaters with the musically-infused car chase caper Baby Driver. Hype is firing on all cylinders, and with good reason…
Throughout all of his films so far – the Cornetto trilogy he co-wrote with Simon Pegg, Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World – Wright has flawlessly selected music tracks that not only carry the story along but compliment his kinetic directing style. So it’s no surprise to hear that in addition to another terrific script, he’s scored Baby Driver the same way, this time infusing his main character (Ansel Elgort)’s genius behind the wheel with his sense of living out every moment to a beat. Of course, there was one moment earlier in his career where Wright married the idea of a music-obsessed getaway driver with a can’t-beat-it earworm…
….and that brings us to today’s Video Vault! Please enjoy “Blue Song” (watch above): The track is by the great UK electronic outfit Mint Royale, and the video stars Noel Fielding of The Mighty Boosh and The IT Crowd fame. (Co-starring as his criminal buddies are his Boosh partner Julian Barratt, Irish actor Michael Smiley and a fella by the name of Nick Frost. Dunno, maybe you’ve heard of him?) Granted, it’s not precisely a beta version of Baby Driver – the car doesn’t go anywhere for most of the clip – but with the scenario plus Wright’s signature use of crash-zooms and more expertly timed shots, in line with the beat, it’s a definite precursor worth savoring.
BONUS: While you’re here, please also enjoy The Bluetones’ “After Hours” – also a beautifully staged and synced piece of work, it’s Wright’s music video homage to the kids-as-gangsters classic Bugsy Malone. Plus it’s so fun, and you deserve more fun. Enjoy!
