A young cop must prevent a bomb exploding aboard a city bus by keeping its speed above 50 mph.
This film is an action Classic, That is well know and seen by now. So what is there to really say.
Sure it’s easy and simple to describe this as DIE HARD on a bus. It’s not too deep, Has Plenty of action and even though the main character has help. The film generally revolve around one heroic character only here he is just more or less doing his job. Both movies have a villain who uses distraction as his grand plan.
I’ll admit the story isn’t deep but it’s entertaining. Dennis Hopper as the villain is obviously having fun, which is infectious. Keanu Reeves succeeds in making a believable heroic character. This film sets itself apart by killing a side character who was important, but also partially comic relief that takes you by surprise and is a element that you are sad to see go. But this film is very entertaining. It’s one of the films that made Sandra Bullock a star because here you see all her strengths. Her comic timing, Her Sweetness, Her vivaciousness and her beauty. Which is a girl next door type, but a girl next door who has grown up into a hottie type.
Other then the absence of cell phones the film is barely dated and while it’s not as good as die hard. It’s up there near it in the action department. There isn’t many gunfights or fights really the action is more like a constant high speed chase and suspense more then anything like a fast moving thriller. This is also one of the few good or decent films that Jan De Bont has directed. He was a cinematographer before. This was his directorial debut and he was lucky with this movie because his consequent movies after this have all mostly been box office winners but disasters quality wise. Keanu Reeves is lively in his performance and simple but interesting. This role actually seems like a natural fit.
Script doctor Joss Whedon rewrote the script uncredited. According to Graham Yost, the credited writer of Speed, Whedon wrote most of its dialogue.
Director Jan de Bont came up with the idea for the opening elevator sequence while working as a cinematographer on Die Hard. While riding in an elevator in the building used as the skyscraper in that film, the elevator got stuck on the 40th floor, and de Bont had to climb out the escape hatch and jump onto another elevator to get out.
Director Jan de Bont came up with the idea for the opening elevator sequence while working as a cinematographer on Die Hard. While riding in an elevator in the building used as the skyscraper in that film, the elevator got stuck on the 40th floor, and de Bont had to climb out the escape hatch and jump onto another elevator to get out.
Renny Harlin and Quentin Tarantino were offered the chance to direct, but turned it down. Tarantino later named the film as one of his 20 favorite films since 1992.
Keanu Reeves initially turned down the lead as he found Graham Yost's original script to be too much like a Die Hard clone. He signed on after Jan de Bont brought in Joss Whedon to retool the script.
Glenn Close, Barbara Hershey, Jessica Lange, Meryl Streep, Sigourney Weaver, Jane Seymour, Anjelica Huston, Kay Lenz, Kim Basinger, Halle Berry, Kathleen Turner, Debra Winger, Geena Davis, Carrie Fisher, Melanie Griffith, Michelle Pfeiffer, Emma Thompson, Rosanna Arquette, Meg Tilly, Daryl Hannah, Meg Ryan, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Ally Sheedy, Demi Moore, Jodie Foster, Tatum O'Neal, Bridget Fonda, Marisa Tomei, Diane Lane, Sarah Jessica Parker, Brooke Shields, Julia Roberts, Winona Ryder, Cameron Diaz and Alyssa Milano all turned down the role of Annie.
John McTiernan turned down the role of director for Speed. Eventually, it was decided that a newcomer should direct and the producers picked Jan de Bont, who had been in charge of cinematography for Die Hard and The Hunt for Red October, two movies directed by McTiernan.
Jack's sidekick, Harry, was originally to be played by Ed Harris and in this version was going to be revealed as the mad bomber. However, when Ed Harris opted out, and Jeff Daniels signed, the producers felt that the audience would not accept the sudden twist in character so Harry was kept as a good guy throughout and the mad bomber written as a separate character.
The film was originally written with the intention that Jeff Bridges would play Jack and Ellen DeGeneres would play Annie. DeGeneres was initially chosen because the role of Annie was going to be a comedic role opposite the serious role of Jack.
Various actors were offered the role of Jack and reportedly turned it down: George Clooney, Stephen Baldwin, William Baldwin, Johnny Depp, Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Michael Keaton, Tom Cruise, Jeff Bridges, and Tom Hanks.
The film takes place in Los Angeles. So this feels like a west coast California movie. Where as Die Hard is set in California but it still feels like an east coast New York movie.
GRADE: A
excellent action filck. very well done. keanu was great.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the background detail on the film. Interesting facts.
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