Premium Rush (*** out of ****)

Premium Rush is probably the surprise of the summer. If you had told me I'd really enjoy an action comedy about people riding bicycles, I'd just laugh. this isn't exactly a deep and compelling film, but it's a blast of excitement for a quick 90 minutes. There is a lot going for this rather simple film.

Joseph Gordon Levitt and Michael Shannon are rather fascinating actors. They are excellent at what they do and can easily jump genres. JGL stars as Wilee, a reckless bike messenger in New York City. He's given a end of the day assignment where he must deliver a message all the way on the other side of the city. However he's stopped by Bobby Monday (Michael Shannon) who wants what's in the envelope to be delivered and won't stop until he'll get it. What follows is often hilarious and suspenseful mad dash around the city. The film is almost a live action Loony Tunes (evident with the lead sharing a name with a certain cartoon coyote). Michael Shannon is absolute dynamite in his role. It's delightful to see a villain who's incompetent. There's been too many serious bad guys lately, this is huge and welcomed change in material. Premium Rush is reminiscent of other highly stylized films like Run Lola Run and Shoot 'Em Up which is for the better. This is the tight and driven filmmaking with engaging stunts that can really give you quite a ride.

*** out of ****