uncredited Joss Whedon script doctoring shines through

Rating: 8/10 (27 September 2013)

A psychopathic bomber (Dennis Hopper) is extorting the city. He has rigged an elevator full of people to plummet. Young brash cop Jack Traven (Keanu Reeves) and his steady partner Harry Temple (Jeff Daniels) foil the bomber's plan in a nick of time. Then the bomber blows up a bus, and tells Traven that he will blow another one. When the bus hits 50 mph, the bomb will arm and explode if it slows below 50. The driver gets shot and Annie Porter (Sandra Bullock) has to take over.
The premise is simple to understand. It's visceral and easy. But it's all about the fun dialog from Joss Whedon. It's snappy and fun. Sandra Bullock is the perfect conduit to put all those exchanges. At the start, Jeff Daniels and Keanu Reeves have that great chemistry. Then they switch it to Sandra. The writing really puts it over the top of just another good action thriller.