Review of Premium Rush (2012) by Craig L — 15 Oct 2014

The movies that come in-between the event movie and the word-of-mouth sleeper always are forgotten. Here, we have an entertaining and mind-blowingly shot bicycle caper (yes, bicycle caper) that provides the goods we want (and nothing more). But "Premium Rush" isn't forgotten because it's bad or because it premiered in the middle of a few other high-profile releases.

It's because its economic budgeting and "Run Lola Run"-briskness make it perfect for 90 minutes of fun that you don't remember a week later. Yet, the reasons why it's forgotten are also why the film is such a blast. It's unfussy, unpretentious, and best of all, not desperate to be self-referential, like so many "unique" thrillers. The film is almost old-fashioned in its drive.

Swerving away from speeding cars, pedestrians and buses sound like a terrible time, but to Wilee (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), it's a way of living. A bike messenger, Wilee mounts a breed with no breaks and no gears. He is forced to utilize quick thinking (and quick legs) to deliver packages in the most efficient sense possible. To us, it's a nightmare, a suicidal mission. To Wilee, it's an art-form, a dream job.

Though he puts his life on the line day in and day out, Wilee gets an extra special treat when one of the packages he delivers turns out to be super tainted. And when I say super tainted, I mean wanted by bad guys who aren't afraid to get their hands dirty. One such man is Bobby Monday (a gloriously hammy Michael Shannon), a crooked cop who has keen interest on the goods.

"Premium Rush" is so fast-paced and so exhilarating in its action sequences that the plot threatens to become unable to keep up. As the story is told with no chronological order in mind, it can cause a few problems. But the film is likable, both in its actors and its frenzied bike chases.

Levitt's performance is both committed and surprising. Lanky, wise-cracking, and almost cocky, he's an unexpected action hero. He isn't Chris Hemsworth or Bruce Willis; in "Premium Rush", he's like a Hitchcock wronged man, wide-eyed yet somehow fitting as a regular guy in extreme danger.

Normally, movies that pay more attention to their special effects and stunts tend to be weak. But this film certainly isn't weak. Yes, the storyline isn't as strong as it wants to be, and yes, it's ultimately forgettable, but as I watched "Premium Rush" I was caught up in the antics. I was anxious to see what nifty trick Levitt would pull to get away from the bad guys; I couldn't help but smile at Shannon's broad accent and near-caricature portrayal. Movies should be about losing yourself, after all.