Posted September 12, 2012 by Dave Higgins in Juicy Gossip

Movie Review – Premium Rush

Who’s In It?

Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Michael Shannon, Dania Ramirez, Sean Kennedy, Wole Parks, Kym Perfetto.

What’s It About??

In Manhattan, a bike messenger picks up an envelope that attracts the interest of a dirty cop, who pursues the cyclist throughout the city.

Review

Premium Rush is the latest offering from Joseph Gordon-Levitt in his bid for world domination!! It seems like the guy is everywhere these days and for good reason…he’s a supremely talented actor! With anyone else, playing a bike messenger in New York named Wilee (after Wile E Coyote from Road Runner!!) wouldn’t be the most exciting prospect, but JGL injects his performance with such fun and blatant disregard for his own safety, it’s hard not to get caught up in the thrill of the chase.

A wizard at dodging cars and pedestrians on the crowded streets his character is less a bike messenger, more a zen master of Manhattan traffic. When he is tasked with delivering a package by his ex girlfriends room mate, nothing and no-one will stand in his way!

Unfortunately for Wilee, what stands in his way is Bobby Monday, a deranged crooked cop played deleriously over-the-top by Michael Shannon. In fact Shannon goes so far beyond the boundaries of normal, Nic Cage would be proud of his performance!! As the movie progresses, he becomes more and more desperate to intercept Wilee and the package, in a bid to settle a gambling debt with some local Asian hoods.

The movie zips along at an exhilerating speed, fast editing and a blend of live-action and CGI for some of the traffic dodging scenes lending a real sense of wanton recklessness and danger to Wilee & Co’s job. Clocking in at only 91 minutes, the pace never let’s up once the story is set in motion, and writer/director David Koepp manages a satisfying blend of action and humour throughout.

A testament to Gordon-Levitt and his co-stars, there were plenty of bumps and bruises along the way as the cast opted to do as many of their own stunts as possible. In one particular scene, Gordon-Levitt’s eagerness to throw himself into the stunts landed him in the hospital with 39 stitches on his arm!! Talk about dedication to your craft!!

Premium Rush is exactly what it says on the tin; A fast paced, action packed ride, hugely entertaining and as much fun as you’re likely to have in a cinema. Premium Rush is an adrenaline rush and perfect Friday night fun!