Movie Recommendation: "Premium Rush" - Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Photo Credit: Columbia Pictures

Joseph Gordon-Levitt continues to impress with each and every performance. The former Indie darling has expanded into mainstream films over the past two years, with roles in Inception, 50/50, The Dark Knight Rises and now in Premium Rush, where he delivers a physically impressive performance as a bicycle messenger who is being chased by a crooked cop, Bobby Monday (Michael Shannon). Gordon-Levitt portrays Wilee, who is tasked with picking up an envelope from a local University and delivering it to Chinatown. However, after he secures the package, he is stopped by the "head of campus security," (actually police detective Bobby Monday) who says that a mistake has been made and asks for the envelope back. Wilee, sensing that something is not quite right, and living up to his namesake, thwarts Monday's attempt to get the envelope and a chase ensues.

The envelope that Wilee is carrying contains a very valuable claim ticket that is worth a lot of money and has far reaching emotional consequences that could impact a family if not delivered to the correct person. Monday, who has a serious gambling problem and is in debt to gangsters who reside in Chinatown, is offered a chance to clear that debt if he can obtain the ticket. As a result, he frantically races across New York City trying to catch Wilee, who always seems to outsmart the detective. As savvy as Wilee is, he manages to catch the attention of a bicycle cop who experiences that same frustration with catching him as Monday does. Eventually, things get even tougher for Wilee, who then has to request help from his dispatcher and fellow messengers in order to deliver the package.

Premium Rush is loaded with exciting bicycle chases through the streets of New York City that must have been challenging to choreograph. Joseph Gordon-Levitt spends much of the film on a bicycle and looks like a professional, as he navigates through crowded intersections, traffic jams and many near misses with other vehicles (and was even injured during filming). While the tone is essentially dramatic, there is a good amount of comedy, courtesy of Michael Shannon (Bug), who has mastered the art of playing bizarre characters. As annoying and crooked as Monday is, Shannon infuses a degree of sadness into the character, who is desperate to pay off his gambling debt, or face serious consequences. As a result, viewers may find themselves feeling empathy for the hapless detective.

Director and co-writer David Koepp has crafted an exciting, pulse pounding, well acted and entertaining film that never loses momentum. Thankfully, the focus remains on Wilee and his mission to deliver the package, even though he is being paid very little for his considerable trouble. However, he senses that what he is doing is very important and will not be deterred by anyone, including members of the NYPD. Wilee is a character who audiences will want to root for and follow every step of the way on his mission to do the right thing. I am not sure how realistic Wilee is, but I had a great time rooting for him to succeed, nonetheless.