Speed (1994)
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Speed Movie Review
Speed is a 1994 action film directed by Jan de Bont and starring Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock. It’s a surprisingly fun, competent movie.
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“I have to warn you, I’ve heard relationships
based on intense experiences never work.
OK. We’ll have to base it on sex then.
Whatever you say, ma’am“
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It follows a cop who must rescue civilians on a bus which is rigged with a bomb set to explode if the bus slows down below 50 mph. This is definitely an interesting premise well mined for thrills and great action moments. I did find the movie rather unoriginal as I’ve seen many familiar films where it happens on one location and the protagonist must evade the danger there. But still, the bus I guess is an original setting and, again, it’s so well utilized into the overall action and scenarios.
The characters in Speed are so disposable that they are not worth talking about in detail. I definitely found Keanu Reeves’ performance here one of the better ones of his career as he is rather competent and believable which is rare for him. He’s also very likable which is a major plus in making the audience root for him.
But Sandra Bullock is even better in one of her earlier roles. She is rather competent for a 90s action movie female character and she’s also very likable. The two get some unfortunately sappy dialogue, but are still a nice romantic couple. As for Dennis Hopper, his acting is pretty good, but the villain that he plays is terrible. We never get to see what are his motifs behind all of this which is just lazy writing.
Speed is so well directed by Jan de Bont who really knows how to make an action film work. I am usually not a fan of action flicks, but this one was so well executed that I had to like it. It definitely felt ridiculous in some scenarios as it overstayed its welcome and was too dramatic at times which stems from an overlong runtime, but for the most part the action is exhilarating, very clever and exciting.
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The film is at its best when dealing with the dangers of bus driving in this circumstance where it has to stay above 50 mph. The script is solid and although the first act is weaker and the ending is so-so, the entire middle section is absolutely terrific. The movie is tremendously well shot too while also having a killer score that only further ups the tension.
Speed definitely is overlong and the villain’s motifs unfortunately remain a mystery, but other than that, the film is such a stupendous action flick which benefits from a likable presence from both Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock, a killer score, excellent cinematography and exhilarating, intense and so well executed action which superbly utilizes on its setting.
