Watch Speed

Speed is a 1994 action-thriller film directed by Jan de Bont and starring Keanu Reeves, Dennis Hopper, and Sandra Bullock. The plot centers on LAPD officer Jack Traven (Keanu Reeves) and his efforts to stop a vengeful bomber (Dennis Hopper) from blowing up a city bus. The movie starts with a glimpse of the terrorist, Howard Payne's insanity as he plants a bomb in an elevator. SWAT officer Jack Traven and his partner Harry Temple thwart Payne's plans by rescuing hostages, but Harry dies tragically during the process. Later, Payne threatens to blow up a bus carrying a group of passengers if a ransom of $3.7 million is not paid. Jack boards the bus, and the passengers are informed of the situation by Payne himself. The rules are simple: If the bus goes below 50 mph, a bomb on board will detonate. The situation intensifies as Jack has to find a way to keep the bus at the required speed while negotiating with the bomber and trying to search for a way to save the people on board.

A central theme of the movie is the relationship between Jack and Annie, one of the passengers on board the bus, played by Sandra Bullock. Jack and Annie's chemistry blossoms as they work together to find a way to defuse the situation. The dynamic between the two is heightened by their different personalities; Jack is a no-nonsense cop, while Annie is a quirky passenger who just wanted to get to work that day. The two complement each other nicely, building a relationship that feels genuine and real. Sandra Bullock's performance as Annie is a standout from the film, as she brings an organic enthusiasm to every moment of the movie.

Another standout performance of the film is Dennis Hopper's villainous turn as Payne. Hopper plays the character with an unhinged glee, embodying the idea of a villain who just wants to watch the world burn. Payne's maniacal cackle is both eerie and entertaining, giving the audience a perfect villain to root against.

Beyond the performances, the movie is driven by its impressive action sequences. The film's most iconic scene takes place on a freeway, as Jack has to jump from the bus to a moving sedan to defuse a bomb on board. The scene remains a high point in action-movie history, with incredible stunt work and edge-of-your-seat tension.

Throughout the film, director Jan de Bont manages to balance the action and the plot, never letting the movie feel aimless or bogged down by plot complexities. The pacing is quick, but the film is structured in a way that allows for moments of reprieve.

Overall, Speed is a classic action movie that stands the test of time. Its thrills and spills still feel fresh and exciting, and the chemistry between its lead actors is still a joy to watch. The film's message about courage, teamwork, and doing what's right in the face of adversity still resonates today. Speed is a must-watch film for anyone who loves well-done action movies, with a heartthrob lead, iconic stunts, and emotional depth.

Speed is a 1994 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 56 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3 and a MetaScore of 78.