Only 1991's 'Point Break' can rival 'Speed' for the Greatest Summer Action movie title. Both are not just enthralling, well-directed and smart flicks, but they are also two Keanu Reeves films. Reeves has shown time and time again that his acting chops are limited, but take one look at his film CV, and you'd be easily convinced he was one of the all-time bests: The Matrix, John Wick and My Own Private Idaho all stand out as highlights among the occasional dud (47 Ronin or The Day The Earth Stood Still).
Reeves is Jack Travern, a man so obviously inspired by Willis' John McClane from the Die Hard films (of which there had been two installments by the time Speed was being filmed), but quite simply, Travern still feels fresh and engaging despite the many similarities between both action leads. Sandra Bullock is the helpless damsell-in-distress stuck on a bus rigged with explosives by madman Dennis Hopper. This unhinged terrorist plays games with Travern throughout the movie as his efforts to save the cast of characters on-board become increasingly more difficult and strained.
What works about 'Speed', and thus making it stand out from the crowd some twenty-seven years later, is all in the thrilling plot which is brought to life so brilliantly by director Jan De Bont and composer Mark Mancina. To this day, I hear the theme for 'Speed' and I'm ready to dig my nails into the palms of my hands and lean forward onto the edge of my seat. Few movies- actioners or not- have been able to generate such excitement from score and direction alone.
But let's not forget the pace at which the film sticks at. Whereas a lot of action films simply dry up towards the end of the second act, just when the hero realises something they need to do or some place they need to get to, 'Speed' simply elevates things. We go from a bus to a train. The unconventional structure is something that works much to the film's strength.
Jan De Bont, take a bow.
Reeves is Jack Travern, a man so obviously inspired by Willis' John McClane from the Die Hard films (of which there had been two installments by the time Speed was being filmed), but quite simply, Travern still feels fresh and engaging despite the many similarities between both action leads. Sandra Bullock is the helpless damsell-in-distress stuck on a bus rigged with explosives by madman Dennis Hopper. This unhinged terrorist plays games with Travern throughout the movie as his efforts to save the cast of characters on-board become increasingly more difficult and strained.
What works about 'Speed', and thus making it stand out from the crowd some twenty-seven years later, is all in the thrilling plot which is brought to life so brilliantly by director Jan De Bont and composer Mark Mancina. To this day, I hear the theme for 'Speed' and I'm ready to dig my nails into the palms of my hands and lean forward onto the edge of my seat. Few movies- actioners or not- have been able to generate such excitement from score and direction alone.
But let's not forget the pace at which the film sticks at. Whereas a lot of action films simply dry up towards the end of the second act, just when the hero realises something they need to do or some place they need to get to, 'Speed' simply elevates things. We go from a bus to a train. The unconventional structure is something that works much to the film's strength.
Jan De Bont, take a bow.