Produced by Gavin Polone
Written by David Koepp, John Kamps
Directed by David Koepp
Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Michael Shannon,
Dania Ramirez, Jamie Chung, Aaron Tveit
Or more accurately, "Premium Bust."
New York bike messenger Wilee (as in the Coyote) has just picked up a package that corrupt cop Bobby Monday desperately needs to get himself out of underground Chinese Domino debt (since he's apparently not very good at math). Unfortunately for Monday, Wilee's not about to cough it up...at least not without a 75 minute chase through the Big Apple.
That premise screams check your brain at the door, sit back and enjoy the ride, especially when your protagonist is the always reliable Joseph Gordon-Levitt and the baddy is the wild-eyed Michael Shannon. Problem is: JGL has absolutely nothing to work with. The script is devoid of any real charm or humor and Shannon is forced to overcompensate for it by chewing the scenery, but not in a good Gary "The Professional" Oldman kinda way. They're both terrific actors who unfortunately can't elevate the material.
The version of Premium Rush that was playing in my head -- and would have made it an instant cult classic -- has JGL unknowingly trying to deliver nuclear launch codes to the UN, while being pursued by international assassins during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Because if you're gonna go full retard, you go full retard. As is, there's not enough insanity or crazy stunt work/action scenes to make this worth seeing in the theater.
Wait for cable. And if you can't...rent Quicksilver.
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