Review: "Premium Rush"

Film And DVD Reviews by Phil Boatwright

Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Michael Shannon, Jamie Chung, Dania Ramirez. Sony Pictures Releasing. Action/thriller. Written by David Koepp, John Kamps. Directed by David Koepp. 8/24/12

FILM SYNOPSIS: A hot shot NY City mail deliverer dodges traffic on his bike, but then a seemingly routine delivery turns into a life or death chase through the streets of Manhattan when he discovers someone’s trying to kill him.

REVIEW: I’d love to know how many edits are in this film. Director David Koepp keeps the action moving at a breath-taking speed, showing a flair for technical filmmaking. Of course, at the end of the day, we’ve just spent 90-some minutes with someone rushing through Manhattan on a bicycle. That’s better than roller skates or skate boards, I suppose, but just.

The lead makes it clear that he doesn’t want to wear suits, which should please this generation, and further frustrate the garment industry. He enjoys the thrill of rushing through traffic, aware that sooner or later he will get injured, and unaware that one day his knees will rebel and the employment at Dollar General will replace his daredevil ways. Sadly, he’ll spend many more years stocking shelves than whizzing around town on a two-wheeler.

Ahh, that’s just me being an old-fogey. But what truly bothered me, is that yet again, we hear a movie protagonist profane God’s name and use Christ’s as if it were a mere expletive for relieving stress.

PG-13 (several very crude sexual remarks and name calling by the film’s antagonist; around 60 obscenities, mostly the s-word, spoken by every member of the cast during moments of frustration; boy, do they get frustrated a lot; around 15 uses of the expression, God d---, and Christ’s name is misused at least four times; a great deal of lives in danger as the bike riders zoom through traffic, not just at their own peril, but at the endangerment of innocent civilians; I mention this, as it may more precisely define the character of bike messengers; they are often despised by drivers and pedestrians; there’s also several beatings and shootings, including one man shot in the back of the head and not knowing he’s dead as he moves around until finally falling over; lots of blood; brief drinking). Not sure how this film avoided an R-rating. Running Time: 91 min. Intended Audience: Older teens and up

Besides providing a monthly column for Baptist Press, he reviews films for www.previewonline.org. He also is a regular contributor to "The World and Everything In it," a weekly radio program from WORLD News Group, which also publishes WORLD Magazine.

For information about Phil Boatwright, go to moviereporter.com.

DEFINITIONS

Profanity – God’s name followed by a curse or the abusive use of Christ’s name

Obscenity – a swear word, indecent language

Expletive – minor curse words such as damn or hell

Crudity – vulgar, often coarse situations or dialogue dealing with bodily functions

Adult Subject Matter – situations or subjects unsuitable for or difficult to comprehend by children