David Koepp (Spiderman, The Lost World: Jurassic Park) steps
behind the camera for an adrenaline-fuelled action romp that pits two of
Hollywood’s brightest stars against each other in a Looney Tunes tale of cat and
mouse. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is clearly coasting it in more ways than one but he
brings with him the likeable charm inherent in all his movies. Michael Shannon
(Boardwalk Empire) – complete with crazed cartoon laughter – is as engaging as
ever in a reliably twitchy, unhinged manner that’s never less than scene
stealing.
Dodging speeding cars, crazed cabbies, incompetent police
officers and eight million pedestrians is all in a day's work for Wilee (see
what they did there?), the best of New York's ‘much loved’ bicycle messengers.
He’s reckless and carefree at the best of times but when his last envelope of
the day - a routine premium rush run - turns into a life or death chase through
the streets of Manhattan, the phrase ‘putting the breaks on’ becomes even less
of an option than usual.
Premium Rush races from A to Z in demented fashion, barely
pausing for breath as it attempts to cover up the lack of depth,
characterisation and plot. Flashbacks provide what little motive there is and a
nifty camera trick allows us to step inside Wilee’s mind as he considers the
repercussions of his actions; most of which end in gruesome death for him, or
somewhat comically, the other road users. The supporting players don’t really
have a lot to do but they’re engaging enough, especially the luckless police
officer who’s always one step behind.
Contrived, predictable and in the end, satisfyingly brutal,
Premium Rush doesn’t stick around long enough to outstay its welcome. Having
said that, it doesn’t linger long in the memory either. A loveable cat and
mouse double act keeps the film on track, and the cycle chases feel fresh and
invigorating, but everyone involved is capable of so much more. Except maybe
the bumbling police officer. AW
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