While I admire and appreciate originality, it ultimately takes a lot more to make a good movie. Granted, David Koepp's Premium Rush did have quickly rising star Joseph Gordon-Levitt, but ultimately it was able to showcase little else. While many will applaud its stylistic storytelling and its "intensity", the film never reached its full potential, falling victim to itself as it was unable to find its footing and make a stand.
It goes without saying that Joseph Gordon-Levitt is the best part of this film. His ability to keep your attention as he fluctuates between comedy and drama is quite impressive, even if the events around him failed to muster much excitement.
The film takes audiences along for a ride with New York City's bike messengers as they weave and turn their way amongst cars and civilians in one of the world's most congested cities. But when Gordon-Levitt's Wilee gets a last minute package from his girlfriend's soon-to-be ex-roommate, his life is thrown into a wild spin. Now, with the clock ticking and his life on the line, Wilee must cart the package across the city and deliver its contents in time...or else die trying.
Now I'll admit that the premise has potential, and the cast is somewhat impressive. But in all honesty, the movie is boring and highly unbelievable as all you witness is a steady game of cat-and-mouse, except this one takes place throughout the streets of NYC.
There are a few intriguing moments, and those help to carry the film as much as any set of scenes can, but eventually you begin to tire and wish for an ending. I honestly feel that had the studio been confident enough and gone with an R-rated script, then we would have been greeted with a darker, more intense and adrenaline-filled experience. As it stands, I couldn't help but be bored for most of the supposed 'premium rush.'
