No. 38 Premium Rush (2012) 54 of 100

 

Here’s fun bit of nonsense. Joseph Gordon-Levitt stars as Wilee, a bike courier in New York. The ‘premium rush’ of the title is a special delivery that just has to get there on time.

We are introduced to the exciting world of bike couriers in a fast paced opening as Wilee goes through what’s involved, and we get a load of on screen graphics and ‘what if?’ moments as Wilee analyses situations in a moment as we see the various possible outcomes play out – most of which have the riders wiped out.

The film opens and closes with the familiar sounds of The Who’s ‘Baba O’Riley’ but this is no teenage wasteland - most of the cast, Wilee included, look like they are in their 30’s. Wiley works for an agency and has a rival in Manny and an off on girlfriend in Vanessa. They all have great tech kits and hearing, which lets them make and take calls whilst navigating NYC traffic.

The thin plot concerns the delivery of a paper slip which is a Chinese money transfer receipt worth $50k. Vanessa’s room-mate is using the cash to pay people smugglers to get her mother and daughter into America. The film doesn't worry too much about the illegalities of this or about the morality of human trafficking - they just want that slip to get to Chinatown.

There does of course have to be a fly in the ointment and it takes the form of Mr Shannon, who plays gambling mad cop Bobby Monday. He’s a patron of Chinese gambling dens and is in hock to their bosses for $16k. His credit has run out and the gangsters want to collect. They offer him a way out in the shape of recovering the receipt which was issued by a rival gang. If he can get the ticket he’s in the clear. Why they didn’t just do a Paypal transfer isn’t explained. Paper trail I guess, although dirty cops and bike courier carnage is hardly low profile either.

The three bike couriers each take possession of the slip and there are mad chases up and down Manhattan as the police, including bike cops, hunt down the riders – not least because of the carnage they are causing on the roads.

With the 7pm deadline looming who will get the slip to Chinatown? and who is the rightful keeper of the money? Who cares – here’s another stunt!

This was a classic ‘leave your brain in neutral’ kind of film. It’s fast paced and has plenty of action and a bit of violence. Gordon-Levett holds the thing together but I’m not sure why he puts on a deeper voice. It’s also not enough that he’s a bike courier, so there’s a scene at a University where he’s recognised and asked why he hasn’t taken the bar exam yet. He’s super smart you see!

The film does presuppose that you are on the side of the bike riders but frankly I found them all to be an annoying bunch of scoff-laws. At least it was realistic with the cyclists ignoring red lights and riding on the pavements.

Shannon is good as the strangely named Monday although he does ham it up, even shaking his fist at those rascal bikers as they escape him once again. He is a bit reckless and you do wonder how he made detective with such bad judgement. His end is a bit brutal in an otherwise knockabout film, but he does well with limited material.

I liked the film’s energy, graphics and fast edits. New York looked great and the youngish cast seem to be having fun. There’s not a lot of plot and a few loose morals, but overall it’s a fun ride.

When is Shannon-On? - 11.03

Outcome? Dead; Shot in the head

Film 3.5/5

Shannon Stars 4/5