Premium Rush Blu-ray review

Actors: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Michael Shannon

Director: David Koepp

Format: AC-3, Dolby, Dubbed, Subtitled, Widescreen

Language: English

Subtitles: Chinese, English, French, Korean

Dubbed: French

Region: All Regions

Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1

Number of discs: 1

Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)

Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Release Date: December 21, 2012

Run Time: 91 minutes

 

 

            If nothing else, Premium Rush is an original concept for a thriller. Being chased by a bad guy through the city is not new, nor is it original that he is a corrupt police officer. What makes Premium Rush stand out is the manner in which out protagonist is chased, which happens to be on a bicycle in the middle of Manhattan traffic. This promises some unique action sequences, which are delivered with a remarkably small amount of CGI utilized. Many of the action tricks are achieved through real stunt riding, which was apparently fun enough for star Joseph Gordon-Levitt to try. During the credits of the film there is behind-the-scenes footage of a crash he endured from a failed attempt at a stunt. 

 

Though not all aspects of the film live up to the premise of the film, the cast far exceeds it. Gordon-Levitt stars as Wilee, a name which is both fitting and without any subtlety. It also makes little sense, considering The Roadrunner was always the fast one in the cartoons. Wilee is a bike delivery messenger, and he rides a single-gear bike without any brakes. This makes for tricky maneuvering at all intersections, which he always rides straight through. This job is dangerous and pays minimal, but Wilee is an educated man choosing to ride in the streets for the lifestyle rather than the money or prestige.

 

When one particular delivery inspires interest from a plainclothes detective insisting one retrieving it before the delivery is made, Wilee finds himself the one being chased. Michael Shannon is effective as the cop with a personal need to get the package that Wilee is carrying, and these two actors are enough to overcome the weaknesses in the script. The Blu-ray captures all of the action chases through Manhattan in high definition glory. The special features include two featurettes; one on the cast and filmmakers, and the other on the action and stunts within the film.