Speed
Composite Score: 84.13
Starring: Keanu Reeves, Dennis Hopper, Sandra Bullock, Joe Morton, Jeff Daniels, Alan Ruck, Beth Grant, Hawthorne James, and Carlos Carrasco
Director: Jan de Bont
Writer: Graham Yost
Genres: Action, Adventure, Thriller
MPAA Rating: R for language and violence
Box Office: $350.45 million worldwide
Why should you Watch This Film?
Speed is the 1990s action film about a young police officer who has to keep a bus running above 50 miles-per-hour in Los Angeles to keep it from being blown up by a crazed bomber. The film stars Keanu Reeves as the leading man, Officer Jack Traven, opposite Dennis Hopper as the ransom-demanding villain, Howard Payne, and Sandra Bullock as Annie, the L.A. native who has to drive the bus when the driver is taken out of commission. The action-thriller has been celebrated for its excellent technical elements (and wild stunts), winning Oscars for its sound and sound editing along with a nomination for its film editing. It remains one of the most iconic action films of the era.
Why shouldn’t you Watch This Film?
Nowhere in the entirety of Speed is there a moment where the action and situation feel real, and that’s totally fine – it’s over the top in the best way possible. Speed’s real issue lies in its poorly conceived use of its villain to critique the treatment of retired police officers. Payne is not wrong in demanding more recognition for his service, but like so many villains with well-formulated intentions, he’s too intensely evil to warrant any consideration for the points he’s making (joining the ranks of Killmonger and Magneto in film history). This type of villain characterization feels like service to the film’s moral obligations without actually bothering to consider the upsetting of the status quo that such a line of thinking could lead to.
So wait, why should you Watch This Film?
Speed taps into that need for adrenaline-fueled, high-octane action that is entirely unbelievable in its execution in a way that many films to come after could only dream of. How many films have a falling elevator rescue, extended bus chase/stunt sequence, and subway crash all in the course of two hours with no superheroes or comic book connections? If you’re looking for something that’s also legitimately a good watch, it’s probably just this one. Is this film going to resonate more with people who love the fact that the Fast and Furious films sent Tyrese to space than with some of the more uppity cinephile types? Sure, but that doesn't mean that it’s bad – it just means that our definitions of “good” are ever-evolving and subjective. Speed has everything an action movie fan could want, including a great action hero lead in Keanu Reeves, supporting lady in Sandra Bullock, and madcap villain in Dennis Hopper. Seriously, this film does not miss if you’re looking for over-the-top action.
Speed’s high-octane thrills and action movie staples have helped cement its place in film history, standing out as one of the most ridiculous but most fun 90s action thrillers, deserving of a spot among the greats. Might this be on the more lowbrow end of the “great films” spectrum? Probably, but it’s still fantastic and you should watch it if you haven’t already. It’s currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and Peacock Premium if you need a place to do that.
