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Speed

Starring: Keanu Reeves, Sandra Bullock, Dennis Hopper
Director: Jan de Bont
Genre: Action
Year: 1994
Rating: 4 / 5

Speed came along at just the right time for Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock. Best remembered for his role in Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure six years prior, Keanu Reeves was looking to establish himself as a bankable Hollywood star. Sandra Bullock, on the other hand, had one major release (Demolition Man) and a string of television failures to her credit. Looking back on Speed, Reeves seems perfect for the role of no-nonsense Jack Traven, even though his casting at the time might have raised eyebrows. Who could have foreseen that a bulked-up Reeves, with a freshly shorn coif, would so dominate the film? In addition, who could have known that a then-unknown Bullock would shine as the feisty Annie Porter? Both are perfect for their respective parts, and Speed is the stunning result.

Jack Traven (Keanu Reeves) and Harry Temple (Jeff Daniels) are members of a SWAT team called in to respond to a bomb threat in a high rise. A dozen people are trapped in an elevator some thirty floors up, with a bomber (Dennis Hopper) threatening to send them to their deaths if he does not receive $3 million. While the methodical Harry is willing to poke and prod to learn more about their mystery bomber, the more reckless Jack knows he has to act. The two engineer a daring rescue, swinging all the hostages to safety moments before the elevator plummets down the shaft. An explosion a short time later convinces Jack and Harry that the bomber is dead, leading to medals and the inevitable passing of time.

On the way into work a short while later, Jack witnesses an explosion aboard a neighborhood bus. Drawn to a nearby pay phone, the presumed-dead bomber draws Jack back into his sadistic schemes. He has placed a bomb on another bus. Once the bus reaches fifty miles an hour, the bombing mechanism will arm, set to trigger an explosion if the bus falls back below fifty miles an hour. So Jack begins his race against time, as he must find the targeted bus and defuse the bomb. The bomber wants his money, and he wants Jack to pay for ruining his first operation. Only brains, skill, and a handy bus passenger (Sandra Bullock) will allow Jack to battle his cunning foe.

Director Jan de Bont tosses the audience into the action with the opening credits, setting the stage for the exciting elevator rescue. His best move, though, is letting the much-maligned Keanu Reeves showcase his action chops. With his new physique and a buzzed look, the normally-wooden Reeves quickly takes to the part, dashing to and fro to nab the "bad guy." Sandra Bullock is the girl-next-door who proves surprisingly resilient in trying times, a starring role she has yet to duplicate. Dennis Hopper slides into the familiar role of the slightly twisted criminal, providing a worthy foil, even if his climactic one-on-one duel with Reeves proves unfulfilling. Speed is one wild ride, an instant action classic and the stepping stone his its stars revitalized careers.

Cast:

Certification: Rated R for violence.
Running Time: 116 minutes.

Additional Info: Internet Movie Database
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