Premium Rush (2012)

In Manhattan, a bike messenger picks up an envelope that attracts the interest of a dirty cop, who pursues the cyclist throughout the city.

Director:

David Koepp

Writers:

David Koepp, John Kamps

Stars:

Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Michael Shannon, Dania Ramirez

1 win & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Joseph Gordon-Levitt	...	Wilee
Dania Ramirez	...	Vanessa
Sean Kennedy	...	Marco
Kym Perfetto	...	Polo (as Kymberly Perfetto)
Anthony Chisholm	...	Tito
Ashley Austin Morris	...	Receptionist
Wolé Parks	...	Manny
Kevin Bolger	...	Squid
Aasif Mandvi	...	Raj
Lauren Ashley Carter	...	Phoebe
Charles Borland	...	Campus Guard
Michael Shannon	...	Bobby Monday
Aaron Tveit	...	Kyle (Student)
Jamie Chung	...	Nima
Christopher Place	...	Bike Cop

Storyline

Wilee is one of 1,500 bike couriers in Manhattan who rides on the edge by having a bike with no brakes. On this day, Wilee has a delivery that is so valuable that a corrupt NYC Detective, who needs the money, begins to chase Wilee throughout the city to get it before the envelope is delivered.

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Plot Keywords:

bicycle messenger | manhattan new york city | car bicycle accident | shot in the back of the head | mother son relationship | 

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Taglines:

Ride Like Hell

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

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

Did You Know?

Trivia

This feature was shot simultaneously as Triple Rush (2011) the TV docu-reality series about bike messengers in NY was wrapping up. Many of the stunt doubles and characters from the underground TV series appear in the movie.

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Goofs

When Vanessa is riding, she has a brake on the front of her bike for much of the frame. This is possible due to her having a freewheel on her back wheel. This allows her to coast, as she's shown to do many times. Once she removes the brake after the crash, she would only be able to slow or stop by putting her foot on the tire or dragging her feet. With a freewheel you need a brake.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Wilee: I can't work in an office. I don't like wearing suits. I like to ride. Fixed gear, steel frame, no brakes. The bike cannot coast. The pedals never stop turning. Can't stop. Don't want to either. There are 1,500 bike messengers on the streets of New York City. You can e-mail it, FedEx it, fax it, scan it, but when none of that shit works and this thing has to be at that place by this time, you need us.

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Crazy Credits

In the credits, footage of the aftermath of an actual bike accident Joseph Gordon-Levitt had on the streets of New York City during filming is shown, including Gordon-Levitt showing off his injury.

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Connections

Referenced in WatchMojo: Top 10 Actors Who Almost Died on Set (2014)

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Soundtracks

Baba O'Riley
Written by Pete Townshend
Performed by The Who
Courtesy of Geffen Records and Polydor Records LTD. (U.K.)
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises

User Reviews

A Cycling Riproaring Ride

It's not a 10 star film but it is a fun ride with action that makes up for a few flaws in plot and the flow of storyline. The best issue in this film is almost constant action and wild biking through the New York streets. One of the elements that were new to the screen and highly workable were the sudden stop of action to follow the split-second decision making of a messenger/biker. Choices (usualy three) that have to be made in the moment. The bad guy in the film is nasty and very believable. So, if you're looking for a thrill ride and a fun film then go see it. Enjoy the earthy feel of the cameras that capture the life of a messenger on two wheels competing with trucks, cabs, and cops.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English Mandarin Cantonese

Release Date:

24 August 2012 (USA)

Also Known As:

Premium Rush

Filming Locations:

Upper West Side, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$35,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$6,030,164, 26 August 2012

Gross USA:

$20,275,446

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$31,083,599

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures, Pariah

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital Datasat SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1