By Edward Baillargeon
One of my current favorite directors working today is British filmmaker Edgar Wright. Wright’s filmography is meant to play homage to films and comics that influenced and inspired him while he was growing up. His style is well known amongst film experts with usage of quick action montages, repeated dialogue, and even running gags & easter eggs in some of his films including a character failing to jump over a fence and Cornetto ice cream. Right now, I’m going to rank the 5 films that he has directed in his career. And just to note that none of the films he has made I would consider as bad films. For me, they range from amazing at best to pretty good at worst. This is my ranking list of the films of Edgar Wright. Also, links to the trailers of each movie are included.
- The World’s End (2013)
Coming in at the bottom of the list is the third and final film in the Three Flavors Cornetto Trilogy, all three starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. This sci-fi comedy stars Pegg as alcoholic Gary King persuading his estranged school friends Peter, Oliver, Steven, and Andy, to complete the “Golden Mile”, a pub crawl encompassing the 12 pubs of their hometown of Newton Haven. As they attempt to reconcile the past and present, they realize the real struggle is for the future, not just theirs but humankind’s. Reaching The World’s End is the least of their worries. The World’s End is an entertaining comedy for those who like to watch a group of British guys drinking a lot of beer and has some entertaining action scenes, but the jokes aren’t as consistently funny as his other films. While the humor is hit-or-miss, The World’s End does make up for it with a great cast and a fun story. I give The World’s End a 7/10. The World’s End Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n__1Y-N5tQk
- Shaun of the Dead (2004)
Next up on the list is is the first film in the Cornetto Trilogy, Shaun of the Dead. This horror comedy is a spoof on the zombie movie genre and is one of the best zombie movies of the 2000’s next to Zombieland. Simon Pegg stars as Shaun, a 29-year-old store employee with no real ambition in life, much to the consternation of his friends, family, and fed-up girlfriend. With only a loyalty to his lazy best friend Edgar, a dead-end job where his employees step on him, and the good-ol’ days, Shaun isn’t exactly putting his best foot forward. But when the flesh-hungry undead start to rise in numbers around modern-day London, Shaun must come to the rescue of his girlfriend and mother before all hell breaks loose. Shaun of the Dead is a fun and entertaining zombie film with some great gags including one about deciding which vinyl discs to throw at zombies, and some well-edited action with great use of makeup and special effects that can still look impressive for a film from 2004 especially since the movie’s budget is the same as a typical horror movie from companies like Blumhouse. With some fun bloody action and hilarious gags that will be caught on repeat viewings, Shaun of the Dead is a fun zombie film to check out next Halloween. I give Shaun of the Dead an 8/10. Shaun of the Dead Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIfcaZ4pC-4
- Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010)
Wright’s first American big-budget film is a based on the graphic novel series by Bryan Lee O’Malley that was highly anticipated before its release back in 2010 by fans and received good reviews from the critics, it ultimately became a box office bomb. But like several films that were bombs when they first released, Scott Pilgrim became a cult classic loved by many. The movie stars Michael Cera as Scott Pilgrim, a bass guitarist in his garage band named Sex Bob-Omb which aspires to success. He dates Knives, a high-school girl five years younger, and he hasn’t recovered from being dumped by his former girlfriend, now a success with her own band. When Scott falls for Ramona Flowers, he has trouble breaking up with Knives and tries to romance Ramona. As if juggling two women wasn’t enough, Ramona comes with baggage: seven ex-lovers, with each of whom Scott must do battle to the death in order to win Ramona. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is a very entertaining action comedy with lots of great references for nerds and awesome and highly memorable action scenes with loads of visual style. The cast also does an excellent job in their roles with many recognizable names including Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Anna Kendrick, Brie Larson, Aubrey Plaza, Jason Schwartzman, and even Captain America himself Chris Evans. With a great cast, references, and awesome action, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is a must-see for nerds. I give Scott Pilgrim vs. the World a 9/10 with my Seal of Approval. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wd5KEaOtm4
- Baby Driver (2017)
Coming in at the runner-up spot is Wright’s most recent film Baby Driver. Released last summer, this action comedy stars Ansel Elgort, of The Fault In Our Stars fame, as Baby, a young a partially hearing impaired getaway driver who works for the crime boss Doc, played by Kevin Spacey in his potentially last film role(?), who values his role in meticulously planned robberies. But when Baby meets his new girlfriend Debora, played by Lily James, Doc gets him back for another heist with a crew of unstable thugs played by Jon Hamm, Eiza Gonzalez, and Jamie Foxx. Baby Driver is one of Wright’s best films thanks to a great cast, some really good jokes, with one joke using a quote from Monsters Inc. and a joke about Mike Myers masks in particular being hilarious, and fantastically crafted action scenes where every car turn or gunshot is on point to the music that Baby is listening to, which even gave the film deserved Oscar nomination, but should’ve won, for its amazing editing. And the opening car chase set to “Bellbottoms” by The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion is one of the highlights of the movie. And speaking of the music, the soundtrack of this movie is amazing featuring music from Bob & Earl, Carla Thomas, The Damned, The Commodores, Queen, Barry White, Simon & Garfunkel, and even Kid Koala’s remix of the now famous quote “Was He Slow?”. The movie has all the right things for a great action film and I cannot sing its praises as long as I have as this was one of the best films of 2017 and one of the high points of Edgar Wright’s career. So if you are in the mood for a film with a lot of fun car chases that isn’t a Fast & Furious movie, a great cast, and a toe-tapping soundtrack then Baby Driver is worth checking out. I give Baby Driver a 10/10 with my Seal of Approval. Baby Driver Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTvJJnoWIPk
- Hot Fuzz (2007)
And finally at the number one spot is his spoof on the buddy cop film genre Hot Fuzz. The second film in the Cornetto Trilogy follows Nicholas Angel, the top cop in London, played by Simon Pegg. But maybe he’s too good, and to stop the rest of his team looking bad, he is reassigned to the quiet town of Sandford. He is paired with Danny Butterman, played by Nick Frost, who endlessly questions him on the action lifestyle. Everything seems quiet for Angel, until two actors are found decapitated. It is called an accident, but Angel isn’t going to accept that, especially when more and more people turn up dead. Angel and Danny clash with everyone, whilst trying to uncover the truth behind the mystery of the apparent “accidents”. Hot Fuzz has some of Edgar Wright’s best work to date from all the great jokes, fun action, and great performances, what can always be expected from one of his films. If you combine the great use of humor and sight gags of the other films in the Cornetto trilogy with the highly memorable action scenes of Scott Pilgrim and Baby Driver, then you get Hot Fuzz. With this movie, Wright, Pegg, and Frost kick everything to 11 and what they do is make a highly entertaining, action-packed, and consistently hilarious action comedy that is also an excellent spoof on buddy cop films. If you are looking for a great film from an accomplished director that perfectly combines humor, action, drama, and suspense, then definitely check out Hot Fuzz. I give Hot Fuzz a 10/10 with my Seal of Approval. Hot Fuzz Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayTnvVpj9t4
