Premium Rush

PREMIUM RUSH

Goofy title aside, you'll enjoy this one

Gordon-Levitt does just that

2012, Thriller, Rated PG-13

Distributed by Columbia Pictures
 

          The most interesting aspect of this film is its director, David Koepp. Koepp normally sticks to screenplays and has penned some very successful films with broad appeal (Jurassic Park, Panic Room, Spider-Man). His latest, which he wrote and directed, has somewhat limited appeal. It's about a bike messenger in New York City who gets some heavy baggage to deliver. With a very corrupt cop hot on his rubber trail, Wilee must race to get the package into the right hands. People's lives depend on it. It's very intense stuff, but somehow it all feels a bit trivial. It's a great and stylish little film, but I wouldn't say it's for everyone.

          Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays Wilee the exceptionally quick and smart bike messenger living and delivering in the heart of NYC. He does a wonderful job playing the character while opening up a world to the audience that most people aren't familiar with. It reminded me of other films that show you the inside workings of an industry or something unknown to the viewer (such as driving a taxi in Collateral, being a male stripper in Magic Mike). The film is held up by the fact that bike messengers live an interesting and fast-paced life, one we get a close-up look at, and Koepp depicts it with style and enthusiasm.

          Opposite Gordon-Levitt is Michael Shannon as the corrupt cop trying to intercept Wilee's new and dangerous package. Just as Wilee picks up the package, Shannon's dirty cop is there to antagonize him and demand the contents of the envelope. It's a gritty and high-octane chase scene from there on. Wilee outwits Shannon's character in many well-crafted scenes but he is relentless. Michael Shannon has proved a versatile actor but in Premium Rush he really shines. He does a superb job playing the grimy villain. He is very good at playing a creep, I'll give him that.

          Even though the film is edge-of-your-seat action and chase scenes, there are surprisingly a few dull moments. What I love about the film is that it begins at about 5:00 pm and ends around 7:00 pm which is when Wilee's message needs to be delivered. It's almost in real-time. Almost. There are overly-long and complicated flashbacks that show the viewer why the dirty cop needs what Wilee is carrying. It's nice to see a well-thought-out reason, but the flashbacks interrupt the flow of the film. I found I could have done without them. His backstory could have been displayed to the audience in a more interesting way. I would have taken advantage of Michael Shannon's excellent acting by giving him a monologue or something to describe his situation. The way they did it, though, wasn't terrible.

          There are so many redeemable aspects of this fresh new film to warrant a trip to theater. It's nothing like The Avengers and isn't as intense as The Bourne Legacy but it is original and it is creative. The visual effects are tremendous and the soundtrack even sticks out as better than average. All in all, I highly suggest it.