Baby Driver In-Depth Film Trailer Analysis

I have got to start of by saying, not only is Baby Driver my favourite film of 2017, but also it is my favourite trailer. Everything about this film is incredible, the plot, the cinematography and most of all, the music. This is definitely a staple for good film trailer and as I analyse it now in depth, it will soon be clear why.

Opening shot is the production/distribution companies printed on vinyl in a Jukebox. This already tells the audience that this film is related to music which it is. Then the machine cycles to a record and plays it. If you pay attention you can see the record is "Nowhere to Run", by Martha and the Vandellas. This is the song which is played in the trailer, to a keen eye this is a very cool "Easter egg".

After that it cuts to inside a diner where Baby (Ansel Elgort), is sitting. Then it cuts to Debora (Lily James), smiling ready to take his order. Straight away she looks interested in him smiling and asking him questions about his job. This connotes that Debora is a very innocent, happy character which contrasts with Baby's illegal driving. In an interview with Edgar Wright, the director for Baby Driver, he says that Baby has been going to the same diner for years as part of his routine and she is the new staff member. This also may explain or be connoted by the way she presents herself, very clean and "posh" looking with the jewellery hinting that she is not like over motel employees.

The music when the actual driving is shown is amazing. They use a technique that is commonly used in trailers where they go from high impact music to no music back to high impact music within the space of a few seconds. Its hard to explain with words how good it is you just have to listen yourself.

Their conversation is overlayed with Baby driving away from the police. This is really effective as Debora is talking about his job thinking that it is legitimate. For example in this scene below she says "oh, like a chauffeur" when he has criminals in the car. Added to that she asks "anyone i'd know?" with the response "I hope not" which is quite comedic for a Crime Thriller.

The fact that the main characters name is baby "Baby" is repeated constantly during the film trailer, they want you to know from the start who he is and whats his story as this is a single charcter driven plot.

Next  it transitions smoothly into the darker side of the plot with the boss. You can tell that this character played by Kevin Spacey called "Doc" is his boss from the scary buisness look he gives off. Without even hearing the character speak it already feels like he is one of the antagonists.

Next it gives some back story on the main character and why he always listens to music. This is an important part of the plot so its good they included it in the trailer so people arn't confused. It also adds a bit more reason behind the fact hes always listening to music, than just a first impression from a viewer that he just likes it.

Yet again another little easter egg. In the ipod he is playing "Nowhere to Run" which is the song played in the trailer along with the lp at the begining. I love it when trailers have such an attention to detail that you discover more when you analyse frame-by-frame.

By including this manouver in the trailer. The film has now told the audience that there are going to be near-impossible stunts pulled off in the car. This shows the talent of the Driver and is not over-dramatic like a fast and furious trailer. It gives the audience a taste of what the car action scenes are going to be in the film.

"Now, I don't have to give you the speech about what happens when you say no,

how I could break your legs and kill everyone you love, but you already know that, don't you?". This is where the film takes a dark turn so you can clearly see in the trailer whats going to happen in the film. Baby doesn't want to be involved in crime now he cares about Debora. This scene is to show the audience that they are in love.

"The moment you catch feelings, is the moment you catch a bullet." Hes saying to baby that his girlfriend is going to get him killed. This shows that the people he is helping are very dangerous to be around hinting towards the change.

This scene shows three men in masks about to do an armed robbery. In the background you see Baby in the car waiting. Gives another insight of what kind of action you should be expecting in the film.

The title cardss pop up with unique artwork that has been connected to Baby Driver. The first one has his signiture sunglasses in the background. 

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The second title card has earpod jacks in. This is because they are significant to Baby as hes using them all the time.

This scene connotes a gun dealing is taking place. This tells us that their doing bigger things than just robbing banks.

In this scene she looks so inncoent with fluffy clothes ping nails and a lolipop in contrast with her shooting people violently.

In this scene Lily James' character, Debora, looks towards baby worried about whats going to happen. Despite this Baby looks composed showing little to no emotion.

This shot is really well constructed. The guy on the right (Buddy) looks like a shadow or a reflection of the girl on the left (Darling). Its like an angel and a devil shot however they are both equally as crazy and bad.

"It's time to face the music" This is a good play on words as the entire film is focused around music.

They broke the tension with a joke about one of the guys getting the masks wrong. The joke is that he got Mike Myers masks which is a funny actor and not Micheal Myers the main antagonist from the horror film 'Halloween'.

This scene looks like someone has been shot. Debora looks like shes in a state of shock about whats happening.

This scene could be interpreted in two ways. Either it is Doc saving Baby and his girlfriend Debora or it is him killing someone they love. He does this with the voice over saying "you choose who dies".


To conclude, watching this trailer alone would convince me to see the film at the cinemas. It is perfectly crafted to cater to many different audiences, its funny, it has car stunts, action, violence and music. With this variety it is a very appealing film.