Premium Rush

Reviewed by Danny the Demented
Updated Aug 27 2012

Just like anyone who enjoys living, I hate bikers. And to think bicycle messenger is a legitimate profession? My gosh, if that is not the first sign of the Apocalypse, I don't know what is. GOOOOOSH DARN IT I hate bikers, I mean, seriously, you are a danger to pedestrians, cars, yourself, and most importantly, ME! .........the movie's ok though. Ooooh a twist, bet you didn't see that coming did ya you silly rabbit, trix are for kids. 

Premium Rush, along with its cheesy name, tells the very cheesy story of a mother Nima (Jamie Chung) trying to save her son but in doing so has to fight off a corrupted cop named Bobby Monday (Michael Shannon) who is in some serious gambling debt. Nima enlists the help of two bike messengers Wilee (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and Vanessa (Dania Ramirez) who just happened to be a couple fighting so naturally they have to solve their relationship problem while fighting off the evil cop, all at the same time. A plausible premise? Not if you treasure logic and common sense like the rest of us normal folks. 

I often wondered why directors/actors/producers make movie of this caliber. It is clear that you won't win any awards and the gross number won't be anywhere near impressive. Best case scenario is that the film gains marginal acclaims and makes enough profit to avoid a loss, but seriously, what'd be the point? Is it really worth all the trouble of months and months of production efforts just to beat mediocrity all the while knowing you'd never achieve greatness with it? This type of film falls in the no man's land of movies. It isn't good enough to wow, but it isn't bad enough to piss you off either. It has a clear commercial objective but it is neither innovative (Star Trek 2009) or crappy-but-proven-formula worthy (Anything Adam Sandler has done after 2000 except for Punch Drunk Love) to make any serious dough (dough here means money, for my street-cred-lacking readers, you are welcome). What's even more perplexing is that it is CLEAR the director David Koepp and his casts know exactly what they have to work with and decided to make it anyway. Life is full of mysteries evidently. 


Still, though never great or stimulating, Premium Rush is exciting enough to keep you entertained for 91 mins, which is the perfect length for it. The story is corny and more or less predictable, but the bike chases are respectably shot and sequenced. Gordon-Levitt is as likable as he's ever been as the protagonist Wilee. It isn't a role that requires a lot of emotions, but he is a fine actor and has that Matt Damon patented earnest look going, which is a wonderful thing to have. Michael Shannon continues to be a force to be reckoned with. He was mesmerizing in Revolutionary Road and the HBO series Boardwalk Empire, and he remains vastly underrated. Oh yeah, Dania Ramirez and Jamie Chung? Super hot, the end...... Look I am not being a sexist, their roles really are that limited. Besides, there are worse things to be called than super hot, like chubby or flat out fat. Trust me, I know (weeping).


Not so premium but it sure did ended in a rush, Premium Rush is still a relatively fun cinematic experience. If you have some time to kill and cash to spend, why not. It still beats seeing Transformer replays on cable any day of the week. Booya Bay, Booya. My name is Danny and I endorse this message.