Speed (1994)

Sadly Over-hyped

Absolutely Fantastic

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.

I was indeed 10 in 1994. Even back then I loved watching action movies with my Dad. Actually just recently my Father & I watched The John Wick movies (also great). Being 10 there's a lot of things you don't notice... like how mind boggling gorgeous Keanu Reeves was! WHEW. I'll be rewatching Speed a lot more often now that this has been brought to my attention. The movie itself is a nail biter. Even as an adult I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. It was also very realistic. Not counting a few very minor screw ups, I was actually impressed with the special effects and stunts in the movie. Oftentimes if I watch a movie that old, i end up asking myself how I ever believed such a horrendous performance but that isn't the case with Speed. It still keeps up with today's action movies as if it were released yesterday. I'd give it 11 stars if I could find a poster of Keanu's 1994 arms.

Masterfully crafted!That's all I can say. I watched Speed in my early teens after it came out in 1994. It has been 23 years and I had vague recollection of the specific scenes in the story. However as I watched the film after decades long gap, I realized why this became a classic household, water fountain action film.Keanu Reeves was born to play this role. He exuded an ungodly calmness that is so rare a trait that every man wishes he possessed. The chemistry between him and Sandra Bullock's character Andy was just the right dosage in an unlikely coupling. If Keanue was the epitome of a man's assured calmness, then Sandra was just the opposite. Possibly she is the only one who can make a damsel-in- distress, overapologetic, tad bit clumsy and slightly nagging character so sexy.Before you read further I must warn this review contains many spoilers.The fact that I love about Speed is that it is a movie within movie. Even if the movie finished after the elevator saga, it would still be considered a decent flick. There are layers within layers and supersubplots within subplots.At one stage, Keanu after saving the world and hostage from an exploding elevator, he kept sweeping the area to locate the bomber.There was quote once I read - which is mostly probably apocryphal - regarding Einstein where he said: "The difference between other people and I is that when asked to find a needle in a haystack, I keep going."The intro was a three minute long of dizzying credit. But I still gave it 10 out of 10 and the scene reminded me of Einstein's quote.Keanu should really author a book on "How to be cool, calm and in control under pressure 101".. in fact, even the way he just stepped off the 'runaway train' exuded so much suaveness that it was as if he performed walking on water and it was 'no big deal'.There are so many details that stands out that made up the subplots and subcontext within the main theme. For instance, every character had his or her own space, niche and personality, starting with Keanu's partner, the 'Jamaican(?)' looking driver to the bus driver who even after getting shot signaled the entry with the latch to the 'communicator' who after giving robotic communication translated 'oh f**' to 'oh darn' to the criminal who reacted only to be assaulted by another hero... every character told a story and every frame was interesting. In is unfortunate, that producers do not spare so much detail into movies like they used to in the past.There was also the right dosage of comic relief. For instance, after repeated attempts when Keanu was drove up to the bus driver Sandra had a 'you got be kidding' look in her face as she said: "He is out of his mind" made me laugh like I haven't in a long time. Of course, it was only trumped by "...I received a ticekt for speeding..." scene later on that was dead on witty.Not to mention, the way the couple of stunt drivers veered the cars putting the cop cars to 90 degree blocking the way in the airport complete halt smacked of entire badassery.Can movies procure religious experience? I often wondered; not to be nutjobby. It is said Rothko's paintings could make people tear up. As I laid on my bed thinking about the calmness with which Keanu handled the entire programme, I couldn't help but think that so often people cut was in traffic, spill their coffee, mistakenly slam the door catching out finger, or accidentally poke with form and so often we lose it triggered at the slightest press of our buttons. So often! However, when calm and collected mental composure is held, no obstacle seems impossible.Movies like this opens the portal to the doorway on what really is possible for a self-actualized man to achieve once he was conquered himself.

Speed is the definition of a film that knows what it is. It finds its tone and it excels.The film tells the story of Jack Traven, an LA SWAT officer. After the film immediately catches the audience's attention with a high-pressure hostage situation in a downtown LA elevator (an exploit that provides smart indirect characterization of our leads), the film deals mostly with a city bus on the highway. A bomb expert has rigged the bus, and if its speed drops below 50 MPH, the explosive will detonate, The narrative takes twists and turns, and as our protagonists decipher clues left behind by the villain, the viewer is always highly engaged. The always-evolving plot is very smartly designed. While the series of difficulties our characters face is numerous, it is never confusing. Plot arcs appear and resolve themselves in such a way that the audience is never lost, in fact the clues are simple enough for the audience to play detective along with the characters.The characters in Speed are all very simple but very strong. We learn about who the characters are by seeing them react in high-pressure situations. This is ideal in making people who seem real and it is executed effectively. By the time the movie ends, it's hard not to feel pride and relief for the characters after seeing the hell that they go through and their courage. This is an action movie, but it constructs its characters with more nuance than most acclaimed dramas.Speed isn't afraid to be what it is, and that is perhaps its biggest triumph. All of the film's action is totally over-the-top. The bus infamously makes a totally unrealistic jump across a giant stretch of uncompleted highway, and the viewer is left laughing at its sheer stupidity. But, the film wears the insanity on its sleeve and isn't embarrassed by the craziness. If you wanted a serious police drama, Speed wasn't the right choice.If you want to crack open a beer and just enjoy a smart, funny, and just plain fun action movie, Speed is the right choice.

I grew up watching this fantastic action movie. The acting from the cast is strong and awesome. Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock are good in their roles as the good characters. The villain played by Dennis Hopper is excellent as the sick and twisted bomber. The film is very suspenseful. The intense setting on a bus rigged to blow if it drops below 50 MPH is brilliant. It keeps the action moving at a relentless pace and never slows down. I still really enjoy the film to this day. It is way better than many of the films that get made today. The director of Speed did a good job. I could talk about this film forever.