Premium Rush

One would be fair to wonder how we are seeing a lot of Joseph Gordon Levitt of late. Last week with Looper and now with Premium Rush. That’s 2 movies in 2 weeks. The Dark Knight Rises earlier this year. And Lincoln – that is yet to be released. Quite a line up for someone who till recently was considered to be a baby in Hollywood. 31 is definitely a baby by Hollywood standards.

Did you know that Hawala is a word that is not restricted to only India? I was kind of surprised when I heard the word come up not once but twice through the movie. First when the old Chinese man says it (in subtitle) and then the corrupt cop, Bobby Monday (Michael Shannon) tells Nima (Jamie Chung) that she will not get too far ahead with the Hawala money that she intends to transfer. Nima does transfer the money but all she gets in return in a small chit of paper with a smiley from the old Chinese Man.

That is the simple package that Wilee (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is asked to deliver as part of his responsibility as a cycle courier guy for Security Courier. It would seem there are 1300 such couriers in NYC (That’s quite a number right. But then that’s quite a city from what I hear). But our man has no clue about the contents of the envelope. It is only when Bobby Monday starts chasing him down the streets of NYC does he start suspecting that there is something fishy about the package.

David Koepp is not the most well known director of our time but he is definitely known for his screenplay. The star studded list includes Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Spiderman and Mission Impossible amongst other big names. So it comes as no surprise that Premium Rush turns out to be a thrill a minute ride that runs through the Big Apple.

Premium Rush was portrayed through all its trailers as a movie that was studded with edge of the seat chase sequences on bicycles as against the regular cars or bikes. That definitely upped the intrigue value of the movie manifold. Unlike Looper, Premium Rush shows just what is required in the trailer and not the entire movie.

In fact there is a lot more that the movie has to offer other than the trailer and that adds to the great 90 minute ride. As the sign off line says – Fixed wheel. No Gears. Steel Frame. Enjoy the ride!!! 7 on 10.

Watch the trailer at http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2131665433/