Premium Rush (2012) - An Action Film Of Bikes.

★★★☆☆

Action films are usually not without fists or gunfire. In ‘Premium Rush’, there’re no blazes or guns or bombs or whatsoever. It’s all about bikes. A bike messenger named Wilee (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) rushes around the New York City on his signature bike with no gears and brakes. Like he said, he can’t stop. He doesn’t want to either. I guess if you go down the busy streets of New York on a bike like that, and ride like he does in the film, you’ll be killed instantly, no kidding. He’s got a special technique to slow and stop his bike as a matter of fact. See and learn that first for your safety and others’.

This is a fast-paced, exciting action film with some bike stunts never seen before. And Joseph is competent in playing a vigorous guy who gets himself in trouble by picking up an envelope he shouldn’t. The chases are thrilling and creative. The story, however, lacks surprises, though it’s told non-linearly. If you look for a decent piece of action cinema to enjoy, this is the one for you. But if you want to be inspired or touched or stuff, this one may not do.

Wilee says Taoism is about luck, while Buddhism is about cause and effect. I’m not sure about the former, but he’s right about the latter. Truth is, you can accomplish nothing if you only count on your luck. You reap what you sow. That’s always the way it is. What’s the effect of seeing this film then? I guess you may have the urge to get a bike, get on it and ride like hell.