Baby Driver is undoubtedly one of the best films of 2017. It became director Edgar Wright’s response to the ongoing success of The Fast and the Furious franchise, but it went on to be one of the most stylish action films in recent memory. Wright’s signature style truly flourishes here.
But this is not the only action film that boasts an intricate style, smooth chase scenes and innovative sound design. Thankfully, there are other action films with the same bravura, caliber and elegance of Baby Driver. So, get ready and tune in to these fine action films.
The Transporter (2002)
The franchise that propelled Jason Statham into the mainstream, The Transporter franchise revolves on the exploits of furtive courier Frank Martin, whose packages usually got him the attention of several dangerous figures. The first film revolves around Martin encountering a mysterious woman (Shu Qi) with huge links to corrupt officials.
While not the most elevating of plots, Statham presents Martin with class and suaveness, even as he deals with hard-knuckle action and fast-paced chase scenes. The added bonuses are the BMW and Mercedes Benz models that were custom made for the movie.
The Italian Job (2003)
The Italian Job, both the original and the remake, centers on a group of thieves plotting to capture a security truck full of gold. While the 1969 original starring Michael Caine stands superior, and popularized the concept of a “cliffhanger,” the 2003 remake compensates with its sleekness and its performances.
The film features an ensemble cast, including Mark Wahlberg, Charlize Theron and Statham (again), as a group of thieves plotting to take the gold truck as retaliation on Edward Norton via its classic Mini Cooper car chase throughout Los Angeles.
Layer Cake (2004)
Layer Cake is a British action crime film about an unnamed drug courier (Daniel Craig) who plans to leave the trade by accomplishing two difficult tasks for his bosses. It is also the directorial debut of Matthew Vaughn, who is inspired by the style from his Snatch collaborator, Guy Ritchie.
The unnamed antihero is nothing new, yet Layer Cake employs a stylization that blends its gangster and heist elements seamlessly. It is this film that made Craig the seventh James Bond and led Matthew Vaughn to direct several comic-book adaptations.
Logan Lucky (2017)
Speaking of Craig, he returned to his heist film roots with Steven Soderbergh's return to his own heist film roots in Logan Lucky. The film revolves around brothers Jimmy (Channing Tatum) and Clyde (Adam Driver) as they execute a heist during a NASCAR race and avoid being caught by the FBI.
Despite briefly retiring, Soderbergh never lost his finesse in executing fast-paced, stylish action and elaborate heist sequences with a game cast, even with a minimalist approach. He continued this small-scale execution in his psychological thriller, Unsane, and his drama, High Flying Bird.
Premium Rush (2012)
Premium Rush is an action thriller, starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt as bicycle messenger Wilee, who is tasked to deliver a vital package while on the run from corrupt cop Robert Monday (Michael Shannon). A high octane ride, Wilee has to race around the streets of New York to make it on time.
The film is helmed by Spielberg collaborator David Koepp, who pushes the limit of fast-paced action with a frantic New Yorker bicycle messenger as the focus. It made an adrenaline junkie out of Gordon-Levitt, even if he injured himself.
Kingsman: The Secret Service (2015)
Kingsman: The Secret Service is a standout in a year filled with spy movies and centers on rebellious teen Eggsy (Taron Egerton) as he's recruited into the Kingsman agency by his father’s friend and fellow agent, Harry Hart (Colin Firth), to stop megalomaniac Richmond Valentine (Samuel L. Jackson).
Matthew Vaughn simply took the premise of The Secret Service and amped up its James Bond homages with sleek action, stylish world-building and suave performances. This action film about a maverick-turned-spy started a franchise.
The Driver (1978)
The Driver was one of the films that inspired Edgar Wright to create Baby Driver. This neo-noir thriller by director Walter Hill features Ryan O’Neal as the aptly labeled “The Driver,” a getaway driver who is relied upon to prevent robbers from being caught. Meanwhile, a detective (Bruce Dern) enlists a gang to catch The Driver.
While not a popular choice as a solid action flick, The Driver influenced several films and videogames that followed, with its smooth action, crime elements and cat-and-mouse chases between O’Neal and Dern. Give this cult favorite a chance.
Hot Fuzz (2007)
The only Edgar Wright movie on this light, Hot Fuzz is the second film in his Three Flavours Cornetto Trilogy that pays homage to buddy cop movies. It centers on dedicated police officer Nicholas Angel (Simon Pegg), who, after being transferred to Sandford, must rise to the occasion to solve a series of murders with his friend Danny (Nick Frost).
Wright’s fast-paced filmmaking style benefited well from the movie’s action and comedic elements, and it made a devoted cop truly heroic. This film really prepped Edgar Wright for bigger projects.
Bullitt (1968)
Steve McQueen is truly the “King of Cool” and this classic action film paved the way for that status. Bullitt revolves around the feats of the titular SFPD detective who must delve into the criminal underworld in order to clear his name and get vengeance for the killing of crime witness, Johnny Ross.
Bullitt had three notable elements that made it the standard for car chase films. One is Bullitt’s iconic car Ford Mustang, the second is its San Francisco car chase and the third is McQueen himself.
Drive (2011)
Finally, there is one more cool action film from the last decade about a getaway driver with a mysterious backstory. Drive centers on the unnamed protagonist who doubles as a stunt driver by day and a getaway driver by night. He got involved in a troubled heist with Standard (Oscar Isaac), the husband of his neighbor, Irene (Carey Mulligan).
Director Nicolas Winding Refn brought his neon-lighted sensibilities to this film's stylistic action, subtle gestures and vicious violence that may be hard to bear. Yet, Ryan Gosling made a captivating character out of the nameless driver.