Premium Rush - B

Rated PG-13, 90 minutes

Action-packed "Premium Rush" is an enjoyable ride

Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Michael Shannon

The intense, fast-paced new action film "Premium Rush" takes cycling to a new level you haven't seen in movies before. Though the predictable, flawed story falters on more than one occasion, the chief highlight is the stunning, breathtaking cycling scenes through the streets of New York City. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is Wilee, a NYC bicycle messenger who gets caught up in the middle of criminal activity and a very dirty cop (Michael Shannon) trying to cover his tracks. As the summer movie-going season winds down, you'll want to make plans to see the enjoyable, spry and very fast-paced "Premium Rush," grounded by a nice action-hero turn by JGL and an excellent Shannon as a slimeball cop. The cycling action is the best thing about the film, and when it slows down, the script falters under the weight of a weak storyline and a few supporting cardboard character cutouts. "Premium Rush" is directed and co-written by David Koepp, who's best known for scripting the first "Mission: Impossible" film and a couple of "The Jurassic Park" films. "Premium Rush," which also features some nifty camera work from on the bicycle itself, works best when it stays on the bike. A serviceable, entertaining effort to help close out the summer.