1994 Rewind: Speed

 


Films released in 1994 will turn 30 this year. Over the next few months, I'll be looking at some of the memorable films from that year, including some of my favorites. Today, it's a classic action feature.

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

Speed
Starring: Keanu Reeves, Sandra Bullock, Jeff Daniels, and Dennis Hopper
Director: Jan de Bont
About: Reeves is an under-rated actor. It's a big year for anniversaries of his classic films, too. Earlier, we looked at The Matrix. Today, it's Speed. This was described as Point Break in a bus, but that feels a little too simplistic. Reeves is great here in the lead role, but it's the situation, the performances, and the tension built into the action by Jan de Bont. Hopper makes for a great foil, and I really enjoy Daniels as Reeves' older partner. His chemistry with Bullock on the bus is also undeniable. In fact, it's a shame they couldn't keep these two together for the sequel. But I really enjoy this movie. It's a stand out in its genre.

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