Tremendously entertaining, never slows down, even for a second

Rating: Null/10 (9 April 2000)

An excellent (though simplistic) set of opening credits kick start this fast-paced action flick directed by ex-cinematographer Jan DeBont.
Speed is possibly the best action movie of the decade, at least of 1994, followed by a disappointing sequel. The film opens with LAPD cops Jack Traven (Keanu Reeves) and Harry Temple (Jeff Daniels) attempting to save several hostages trapped in an elevator ringed with explosives. A money obsessed madman (Dennis Hopper) set it up, and demands $3.5 million dollars or he will blow the elevator and kill the hostages, so it's up to Jack and Harry to stop him. Of course they kill the madman (or at least they think they do), and the film is over on a happy note.
Well, that would be rather disappointing, wouldn't it. The next day an empty bus blows up right in front of unsuspecting Jack, and the pay phone next to him starts ringing. It's the madman, telling Jack that he has planted a bomb on a bus, that is set when the bus goes over fifty. From there on it's a rush of thrills and suspense as the bus weaves around Los Angeles, no one able to get off.
That little summary probably makes the film sound terrible, but don't let that discourage you from seeing it if you haven't already. Mark Mancini's music score helps create the perfect mood, and the film has a strange sense of openness (for lack of a better word). Almost every shot shows blue sky in the background, a quality rarely seen in any movie.
The movie is funny, never taking itself too seriously, not the least bit claustrophobic, and a lot more fun to watch than almost any other movie in a long, long time.
For the most part the acting is good. The cast is littered with distinguished actors, most notably Alan Ruck, Jeff Daniels, and Joe Morton (The Astronaut's Wife). Bullock is given a star making role, and Hopper is given a chance to recusitate his sinking career (if you don't believe me about that, just watch the tepid 'Nails'). There is a lot of controversy regarding Keanu Reeve's acting skills, and, though there's no doubt he's not very talented, he's perfectly cast here and does his best to further the movie into a memorable classic.