I admit it. As I nestled my tail-end into a stadium seat at the Pinnacle, I knew that I had a bias already established. I'm one of those drivers that's annoyed by bicyclers. Not the peddlers that stick to the sidewalks, I actually have great respect for them. Rather, my problem is with the ones that insist on riding on the road, endangering themselves and everyone around them, when a sidewalk is a mere three feet to their right. With that in mind, would I be able to give a fair assessment of a movie like Premium Rush, a flick that is all about the bicycler? Well, you tell me.
Meet Wilee (Joseph Gordon-Levitt). He's a bike courier with a chip on his shoulder. He prefers this chaotic and dangerous life to his former. That previous life involved law school. Wilee has little respect for those donning the daily suit and tie. He prefers the rush of the ride. Need proof? Well, his bike has been stripped of its brakes and gears. Wilee wants to be constantly moving forward...fast. That's great, because with one late day delivery he's going to need it. It's a seemingly normal pick-up, albeit from a somewhat nervous girl. Wilee shrugs that off, especially since he knows the girl as his girlfriend's roommate. The real obstacle comes next. A guy approaches Wilee as he mounts his bike, claiming that he's campus security and needs the envelope back. That's a problem for Wilee, who reminds him that he works for Secure Courier and once a package is picked up, it...most assuredly...gets delivered. With that, the imaginary starter pistol is fired into the air and the race is on. The "security" guy is after Wilee with in balls-to-the-wall mode, while Wilee attempts to navigate the streets of New York City while dodging the enemy. Yadayadayada...we watch as Wilee gets to the bottom of exactly why this envelope is so vital to two people and why it's worth, quite possibly, his own death.
It's okay. I'm wavering between 2.5 and 3.0 Stars on this one. Yeah, there are some interesting production elements involved; and, the teen guys will love how Wilee breaks down is route alternatives with three of the four possibilities resulting in his violently bloody demise. And yeah, there are plenty of chase scenes and race sequences; and again, that's all good and well, if you're 15. (Meet your target audience, right!)
However, I need stronger characters and a better storyline. Yes, the bad guy here is a bad guy, but he's such a freakin' moron, he doesn't exactly strike fear into you. Actually, from an acting standpoint, only Joseph Gordon-Levitt shines in this one. This guy is on fire. Let's see...there's The Dark Knight Rises...and the promise of sequels set-up through his character, and the upcoming The Looper with Bruce Willis, along with Lincoln, which is set for a November release. Not a shabby year, huh? All in all, he's one talented guy and someone to watch. Further, he takes a so-so script full of 'eh'-characters and turns in a solid performance. That is really the only true bright spot here...unless, that is, you are a 15 year old kid.
Don't get me wrong, the story is okay. The flick is shot in a fairly interesting way. So, there is some entertainment value here. Plus, if you need a bike race to get you going, this is a must see; but again, I don't. For that reason, I'd advise you to rent this one if you get extremely board this winter. Other than that, see Batman again versus this bike ride. Oh...and by the way...it's just three feet to your right, bicyclers. It's called a sidewalk and it's not just for teenage girls to drive on...it's there for you!
True...OUT!
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