Don't Try This At Home

Jumping turnstiles, dodging speeding cars, avoiding an open cab door at high velocity; this could have easily been called Adrenaline Rush and sadly, it's just that and nothing more. David Koepp's Premium Rush a rampant expression of urban aggression made specifically with teenage adventure junkies in mind.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays Wilee (like the Coyote) who is a bicycle messenger in New York City. His fearless attitude and principles that bikes are meant to be rode without gears and brakes make him a mundane daredevil who is willing to risk his life for as little as delivering a message on time. But one day, a regular delivery turns nasty as Wilee is being chased across the streets of Manhattan in a matter of life and death. However, the plot that binds the story line and intertwines with the high tension action sequences is pretty dull. The causality and relevance of the events that get Wilee involved in the matter at hand are fairly crude and predictable.

The director loosely incorporates the Chinese underworld's nexus of getting illegal immigrants into the United States in his story, and does so very superficially. A subject that is extremely intricate and serious has been reduced to a sub plot that simply falls into place thanks to a bunch of kids jumping around on cycles. But however far-fetched the story, Premium Rush scores its points in what it is genuinely meant to be – a bunch of adrenaline junkies jumping around on bicycles.

On that count, the film is a great view. Most of the action sequences are designed intricately and executed with perfection. The specialized treatment in some scenes, where Wilee foresees the outcomes at certain points in the middle of the traffic, is hair raising and exhilarating. In terms of performances, Gordon-Levitt is pretty convincing as a young daredevil and is adorable as a little hero. The tiny street rat like boy hustling through buildings and fast moving vehicles of the city makes you root for him. The rest of the cast, though, are just bodies that ride bicycles. A little emotional element and a bit of romance come as breathers between scenes that showcase outright action but add nothing to the thrill nor to the narrative.

As it can be inferred from everything said above, the film is indeed a mindless entertainer. And although it is wrong to judge the film for its depth, it suffers in totality when you do look at it. But the fast paced chase sequences and bicycle races, that make you feel like something just brushed past you at 60 miles an hour, can render you incapable of processing the logic. If you are watching this energy filled film, just sit back and enjoy the breeze. And make sure you warn your kids against trying the stunts at home.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5