Baby Driver's Box Office Puts the Spotlight Back on Original Ideas

Director Edgar Wright has a bona fide hit on his hands with the surprise hit caper film Baby Driver.

Wright, who has been entertaining audiences for years with his own twists on genre entertainment including zombie comedy Shaun of the Dead and action comedy Hot Fuzz, has scored a hit with an original idea in the midst of superhero and huge effects blockbusters.

Although Wright has dipped his toe in the waters of comic book film adaptations with both Scott Pilgrim vs The World and being attached to write and direct Marvel’s Ant-Man feature before departing the project, he has scored a hit with the modestly budgeted ($35 million) musical caper. This weekend Baby Driver brought in $41 million worldwide and does not show signs of stopping anytime soon. While many are touting this as a first sign of a resurgence of original ideas out of Hollywood, I prefer to think of it as a good film finding an appreciative audience that is telling others to check it out.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2z857RSfhk?ecver=1&w=560&h=315]

Talented getaway driver Baby (Ansel Elgort) relies on the beat of his personal soundtrack to be the best in the game. After meeting the woman (Lily James) of his dreams, he sees a chance to ditch his shady lifestyle and make a clean break. Coerced into working for a crime boss (Kevin Spacey), Baby must face the music as a doomed heist threatens his life, love and freedom.