Imagine you have an original story for a movie that you are about to pitch to the umpteenth financial backer you meet. When they ask what the film is about, you say a thriller, an action-busting crime story with an odd dash of humour ...... all set on bicycles in Manhattan! Before the executives finish laughing security kicks you out of their office. Raising finance for such an idea would present a challenge and an accomplishment in itself. Yet it happened. A visionary at Columbia Pictures took a risk. Though 'Premium Rush' initially made a modest box-office loss, from ensuing worldwide distribution and subsequent TV deals it thankfully turned a profit.
New York boasts 1,500 bicycle dispatch riders, all daily risking life and limb, hour-by-hour... hand-delivering documents across the City. In the lead role, Wiley (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) a law-school dropout prefers the harum-scarum rush of life on the road speeding past heavy traffic on two wheels. Other messengers use brakes, Wiley has none, and he never stops at junctions. We see his imagination work overtime (in CGI) to instantly determine the best paths to avoid fatal accidents, or injury. Vanessa (Diana Ramirez) his girlfriend is also a messenger, and we intrude on their relationship as it falls on rocky ground. They converse via headsets while zipping about town, arguing. Enter Vanessa's flatmate Nima (Jamie Chung). She has a deeply important personal issue, and entrusts a valuable envelope to Wiley to be delivered to Chinatown within two hours. Without knowing why the contents are vitally important Wiley promises to help her. From that moment the story becomes a maelstrom of events.
The contents of that package also concern corrupt detective Monday (Michael Shannon), who will go to any lengths to retrieve it, however illegal or brutally. Shannon plays the dirty cop very convincingly, always ready to lie, intimidate or assault those standing in his way. He must obtain the envelope before 7pm, or his life is in jeopardy. In essence that's the plot. Can Wiley deliver? What is so vital to Nima about the envelope? And why is the NYPD cop hellbent on doing anything to obtain it for himself?
The story plays out with crazy complications, cops on bikes chasing messengers, and stunt after stunt on the streets. Many stunt crew were involved, some of whom were injured during filming, as was lead star Gordon-Levitt.. the daring action is relentless. Detective Monday is increasingly desperate and in their efforts to elude him our heroes take ever more perilous hair-raising risks.
If this feature movie was only about the adrenalin rush it could be boring. During rare calmer moments Wiley and Vanessa warm to each other. The repartee between messengers is authentic, as is camaraderie between them all, a genuine fraternity. Sporadic humour adds to the interaction. The cyclists look the part, lean athletes forever on the move. But it's Nima who, in a very surprising twist, steals the show. Her secret issue lends pathos key to the plot. All-in-all this film is original. How many adrenalin-thumping thrillers have been made before about city dwellers on bicycles? None! In truth this isn't a cinematic masterpiece, but because this film is unique I heartily recommend you watch.
New York boasts 1,500 bicycle dispatch riders, all daily risking life and limb, hour-by-hour... hand-delivering documents across the City. In the lead role, Wiley (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) a law-school dropout prefers the harum-scarum rush of life on the road speeding past heavy traffic on two wheels. Other messengers use brakes, Wiley has none, and he never stops at junctions. We see his imagination work overtime (in CGI) to instantly determine the best paths to avoid fatal accidents, or injury. Vanessa (Diana Ramirez) his girlfriend is also a messenger, and we intrude on their relationship as it falls on rocky ground. They converse via headsets while zipping about town, arguing. Enter Vanessa's flatmate Nima (Jamie Chung). She has a deeply important personal issue, and entrusts a valuable envelope to Wiley to be delivered to Chinatown within two hours. Without knowing why the contents are vitally important Wiley promises to help her. From that moment the story becomes a maelstrom of events.
The contents of that package also concern corrupt detective Monday (Michael Shannon), who will go to any lengths to retrieve it, however illegal or brutally. Shannon plays the dirty cop very convincingly, always ready to lie, intimidate or assault those standing in his way. He must obtain the envelope before 7pm, or his life is in jeopardy. In essence that's the plot. Can Wiley deliver? What is so vital to Nima about the envelope? And why is the NYPD cop hellbent on doing anything to obtain it for himself?
The story plays out with crazy complications, cops on bikes chasing messengers, and stunt after stunt on the streets. Many stunt crew were involved, some of whom were injured during filming, as was lead star Gordon-Levitt.. the daring action is relentless. Detective Monday is increasingly desperate and in their efforts to elude him our heroes take ever more perilous hair-raising risks.
If this feature movie was only about the adrenalin rush it could be boring. During rare calmer moments Wiley and Vanessa warm to each other. The repartee between messengers is authentic, as is camaraderie between them all, a genuine fraternity. Sporadic humour adds to the interaction. The cyclists look the part, lean athletes forever on the move. But it's Nima who, in a very surprising twist, steals the show. Her secret issue lends pathos key to the plot. All-in-all this film is original. How many adrenalin-thumping thrillers have been made before about city dwellers on bicycles? None! In truth this isn't a cinematic masterpiece, but because this film is unique I heartily recommend you watch.
