28 years later and this is still a fantastic action film
In Speed, a bomb is on a bus and it can’t go under 50 mph. If it does, it’ll detonate and kill everyone on board. As our protagonist Jack Traven (played by Keanu Reeves) would say, “What do you do?” If the answer is: create a film that still holds up as one of the best action movies ever 28 years later, then you’d be correct.
Speed is a great ride that’s worth taking on a visit to the amusement park. There are some clear logical flaws, but they’re easily overlooked when the ride is so darn enjoyable.
The terrorists have been waiting for this moment, and they know that Jack and Harry are the only ones who can stop them. They start to fire on the officers, but Jack and Harry use their firearms to shoot back at the terrorists. The terrorists keep firing, but Jack and Harry are too fast for them. They jump onto the elevator and detonate the explosives, killing everyone on board.
Jack is called to the scene of a mass transit bus explosion, where he is given the location and bus number of the bomber. If he doesn’t hurry up and stop those onboard from blowing to pieces, the bomber will give him fireworks for his efforts.
As the two characters work together, they are constantly in danger, and the suspense is ratcheted up as they try to figure out who the bomber is and why he’s targeting them. The writing is tight and the pacing is perfect, making this a nail-biting thriller that will keep you on your toes.
The film is dark and humourous at the same time. There are many iconic moments that make the tone dark, but there are also moments of levity that work perfectly in the context of the story. One of the more iconic moments comes from a passenger heading across the road pushing a pram… full of cans. Why? Why is she out with tin cans? It’s never explained, but when the bus inevitably ploughs into it, sending the pram sky high and the woman livid at her tins rolling across the road, it’s one of those surreal bouts of humor that works perfectly in the context of the story. ..
The film splits its three acts into three distinct modes of transport, all of which nodding back to that motif of speed. The first, revolves around the elevator. The second (and longest) sticks with the bus and the third mixes things up and introduces a subway train. Whether intentional or not, the fact that all three acts switch up the setting and increase the speed of every mode of transport in the process, is actually pretty ingenuous.
Sandra Bullock stars in this remake of an old 90’s action movie as the bus driver who inspires a group of kids to stand up to the bad guys. She’s not a damsel in distress and more than holds her own as the bus driver. ..
The chemistry between Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock is fantastic. The pair put on a great performance together in their older movies, with some cheesy and corny dialogue – but hey, that’s part of the charm. It’s also a great testament to why practical effects will always trump CGI. ..
Dennis Hopper’s performance as the antagonistic role in “The Last Stand” is an archetype for Heath Ledger’s Joker in “The Dark Knight.” There is an element of unpredictability and a desire to cause absolute chaos, whilst simultaneously not caring about who he hurts along the way. ..
Speed is a great way to kill a few hours and has all the elements needed to tell a great story. It’s cheesy dialogue and rushed ending aside, Speed is a glistening example of how to create a timeless action movie.
The speed ending of the World Cup is being explained. ..
