DVD review: Premium Rush: Ride like he**

The action genre is one of the bigger box office draws for movie goers. There something about that surge that one feels while watching that just does something for movie goers. However, the genre has suffered in recent years causing fans to question whether or not the genre still can flourish in modern movies. Long gone are the days for marquee action stars and their famed one liners. This fall off has caused film makers to seek ways to re-invent the genre in order to lure movie lovers back to the theater.
Premium Rush is a uniquely original, alternative outlook on the action genre. It’s a fast-paced, action-oriented shot of adrenaline that intertwines elements of a good mystery with some good action sequences to create an offbeat tale of will and determination. The film stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Looper), Michael Shannon (Jonah Hex), Dania Rameriez (American Reunion), Jamie Chung (Sucker Punch), and Wole Parks (Taking Chance).
Its very fast paced & nearly frantic. Premium Rush is like perpetual motion. The film moves and moves and never stops. The delivery of the story as well as the action is nearly non-stop. There always something being thrown at the audience constantly.
The story around a trio of bike messengers living on the edge who throw themselves into harms way on the frenetic, busy streets of New York. This film is one of the better perspectives on biking. The treachery of the new York city serves as a great back drop for the action of this story. Danger at every turn adds to the tension of the film.
The movie has an intricate mystery that is submerged in the middle of the action. The mystery unfolds through a very creative usage of time and how the story unfolds within the framework of the film. The story starts at 6:33 with 7 pm deadline but then uses a number of flashbacks and multiple takes on the story but from various perspectives of each of the major characters. This concept was very similar to vantage point as they are multiple perspectives on the same event but using time from many angles.
The best aspect of Premium Rush is its unique perspective on biking and how the camera is used to engross the audience. The biking scenes are fantastic. It feels as if the viewer is actually in the film on the bike, nearly interactive. Its enjoyable animation merged with great cinematography of the new York inner city streets & landscape is nearly unmatched in this type of film. Its creative merger of cinematography and story telling engrosses the viewers attention.
The cast is very solid. Its comprised of some of the actors that gave some really good performances in other films in 2012. While not at their best in this one, they both are solid. The film features Joseph Gordon-Levitt pitted against Michael Shannon. Gordon Levitt plays Wiley, the courageous, no quit bike messenger who is completely anti-establishment and Shannon as the crooked cop looking to settle some gambling debts. Gordon displays some good talent as the maniacal bike messenger. Both deliver some decent performances, however, Shannon‘s portrayal of Bobby Monday clearly steals the show.
Premium Rush makes for a good watch. Its not a great story nor does it have a lot of originality in its delivery but you can really get into it. It gives a good inside glimpse into the dangers and the lives that bike messengers leads. Its not a must see but its definitely more than entertaining enough to offset one of those boring nights where television doesn’t satisfy the TV jones.

DVD review: Premium RushDVD review: Premium Rush