Speed (1994)

Keanu Reeves as Jack Traven
Dennis Hopper as Howard Payne (The Bomber)
Sandra Bullock as Annie
Joe Morton as Lt. 'Mac' McMahon
Jeff Daniels as Harry Temple
Alan Ruck as Stephens
Carlos Carrasco as Ortiz
Beth Grant as Helen
Glenn Plummer as The Jaguar Owner
Richard Lineback as Norwood


Spoilers herein.

In the Summer of 1994, 'Speed' was a huge success. It was an instant blockbuster, and an action classic. Critics all over the country hailed it as a great film. It was just the beginning of the film's greatness....

After his plan of bombing an elevator of a building is ruined, he has a new game for Officer Jack Traven:

"Pop quiz, hotshot. There's a bomb on a bus. Once the bus reaches 50 miles an hour, the bomb is armed. If it drops below 50, it blows up. What do you do?"

So, after hearing this statement from the bomber, Jack goes on the bus. He tells the bus driver to stay above 50 mph, by any means possible. If anyone goes off the bus, the bomber will detonate the bomb.The difficulty in the situation is that they must go through LA traffic in the daytime, and find a way to somehow get the passengers off the bus and defuse the bomb.

'Speed' is one of the most suspenseful, action-packed, and well-paced action/thriller films to date. It has a great cast, a fine direction, and decent action scenes.

This is probably Keanu Reeves' best film. I really liked him in 'The Matrix', but 'Speed' is much more intelligent as a Thriller. We also get good performances from Hopper, Bullock, Morton, and Daniels. We even get a performance from Alan Ruck (Cameron from 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off).

The thing that I love the most about 'Speed' is the script and the screenplay. It is very smart and stylish. Dennis Hopper gives psychotic sayings to Reeves in the film. It kind of reminds me of Hannibal Lecter and Clarice Starling in 'The Silence of the Lambs'.

Sure, the film is unrealistic and something that could never happen. But, this takes the name "action" to a whole new level. The "Freeway Gap" scene was a bit cheesy, but the whole film is so much fun. 'Speed' is a very original and creative idea. This film kept me at the edge of my seat the whole way through. It was unpredictable, and I had no idea where it was leading to. It is not one of those films where you know what will happen within the first half hour. By last half hour of this film, you still won't know how it's going to end.

Throughout the film, my experience with 'Speed' was fantastic. It is the best action film of 1994, and one of that year's best films, along with Forrest Gump and Pulp Fiction. It is an action film that I will never forget.

'Speed' is another Five-Star Action winner, and deserves to be up there with films like 'Die Hard', 'The Fugitive', and 'The French Connection. Do you have the need for 'Speed'? I know that I do. Hang on....

Directed by Jan De Bont
Released by 20th Century Fox
Genre: Action/Thriller
Rating: R for Violence and Language


Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older