Premium Rush (12/18/2012)

Rated PG-13 for some violence, intense action sequences and language.

Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Dania Ramirez, Michael Shannon and Wole Parks

Directed by David Koepp (Ghost Town)

Premium Rush was way better than I expected.

Dodging speeding cars, crazed cabbies, open doors, and eight million cranky pedestrians is all in a day’s work for Wilee (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), the best of New York’s agile and aggressive bicycle messengers. It takes a special breed to ride the fixie — super lightweight, single-gear bikes with no brakes and riders who are equal part skilled cyclists and suicidal nutcases who risk becoming a smear on the pavement every time they head into traffic. But a guy who’s used to putting his life on the line is about to get more than even he is used to when a routine delivery turns into a life or death chase through the streets of Manhattan. When Wilee picks up his last envelope of the day on a premium rush run, he discovers this package is different. This time, someone is actually trying to kill him.

When I first saw the trailer I thought to myself, “That looks so dumb, you couldn’t pay me to see that movie!” As it turns out I was wrong. The Source did pay me to see it and it was actually really good!

Joseph Gordon-Levitt is superb as Wilee…as in Wile E. Coyote. He is fun, likeable and a genuine good guy. There’s also strong support from Dania Ramirez and Wole Parks as Wilee’s fellow couriers, but the film is completely stolen by Michael Shannon in full-on crazy mode…and for Michael Shannon, that’s really saying something.

Besides a strong cast, Premium Rush has a strong director in David Koepp. His direction is fast-paced and energetic throughout. You really do feel the speed and danger from the various bike chases to the GPS-like onscreen graphics. There is also a clever fast forward/rewind effect that works for both Wilee’s quick thinking possible routes (ala Sherlock Holmes) and on screen clock that keeps the audience knowing exactly where in the story’s timeline we are.

There are a few problems, like why not just take a day off and get it there yourself; or the fact that there’s no reason Bobby can’t just intercept the package at the destination. But don’t think too much and just enjoy the ride…it’s “Theater Worthy.”

SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
There are 2 F-words and around 70 other profanities. There are a few violent scenes like when Bobby gets beat up and loses his tooth. The best word to use here is intense. Much of the film is one character chasing another…but most teenagers should be fine with this PG-13 film.

Conversation Starter

1. When Bobby approaches Wilee and asks him for the envelope, what does Wilee tell him as to the reason he can’t give it to him? (Once it goes in the bag, it stays in the bag until it’s delivered.)


2. Wilee has given his word not to give any package to anyone until it is delivered. Whats another word for that? (Integrity)


3. On a scale of 1-10, how high is your personal integrity?


4. If I asked 10 people who know you well how would they score you?


5. Read Proverbs 28:6
   
   Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways.
   
   What does this verse tell us about integrity?


6. Would you rather have wealth or integrity?


7. What can you do this week to strengthen your integrity?