Premium Rush

Premium Rush appeared in the listings without invitation to mess up my cinema schedule. Despite not knowing much about the film the fact that Looper is released in a few weeks time meant that this particular Joseph Gordon-Levitt offering got bumped up the queue.

PLOT: Bicycle courier Wilee (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) picks up an urgent package which has to be delivered across town by 7.00pm. Wilee is chased through the streets of New York by corrupt Detective Monday (Michael Shannon) who is aware that the package contains a ticket to a large sum of money. END PLOT

The premise is basically a chase after a McGuffin, although to be fair, attempts are made to explain the McGuffin through a series of flashbacks which will either endear or annoy you.

Premium Rush makes up for the light plot by bringing hefty doses of action and tension. Wilee rarely stops moving and the running time of ninety minutes means that Premium Rush motors on at a fast pace which helps to keep up the momentum.

The bike chases through the rush hour New York traffic are very impressive and downright stressful. Gordon-Levitt and the rest of the cast do the vast majority of their own cycling and stunts which adds to the stress.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt is having a great run at the moment and although Premium Rush is not going to be taking up nominations space come awards season it does show that he is a very capable lead.

Michael Shannon overacts his part but it doesn’t stray into annoying territory so he just about gets away with it.

It isn’t often that a thriller set in New York takes place during the daytime but Premium Rush uses how pretty the city is in the sun to its advantage. The film is shot from a cyclist point of view and the cinematography is stunning.

Premium Rush is a very solid thriller and gets an 8/10.  It’s worth a look in the cinema to experience the fast moving action but it also fits the bill as a go to ninety minute film and you all know how much I love those!