Joseph Gordon-Levitt graduates from indie flicks to action picks as a cycling hero weaving through the streets of New York City.
By Annabelle Low
Cool cars are no longer a necessity for action heroes. In this high-velocity, adrenaline-pumping thriller directed by David Koepp, Inception’s Joseph Gordon-Levitt (who can do no wrong in the eyes of yours truly) ups the cool factor for bicycles by at least two notches.
Set in the crowded traffic of Manhattan, Wilee (Gordon-Levitt) the bike messenger picks up a package that catches the attention of a crooked cop (Michael Shannon). This leads to a wild pursuit all around New York City, which includes the Chinese triads (who impressively enough, spout comprehensible Chinese!), street food, hot bods and death-defying bicycle stunts (which readers should not try at home). It also stars Michael Shannon (Revolutionary Road) as the villain you love to hate and token eye candy Dania Ramirez (TV’s Heroes).
Despite the rather weak plot, the movie unravels in a clever non-linear format that gives you several “a-ha!” moments as pieces click into place. Premium Rush’s irreverent humor will also get a few movie-goers chuckling at the most morbid scenes.
Premium entertainment it is not, but Premium Rush has enough heart and action to give you a rush—some parts had me breathless, perched at the edge of my seat; others made me want to stand up and cheer. And yet there are parts that felt like a thinly-veiled advertisement for the new controversial iPhone 5 Map Flyover feature.
It’s not Oscar-winning material but this movie definitely puts the cool back into cycling, and makes you want to leave your name in the petition for bicycle lanes in Singapore.
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