Has weak moments but when they're on the bus it never falters for a second

Rating: Null/10 (14 April 2002)

Cops Jack and Harry successfully defuse a hostage situation leaving only the bomber himself dead. Later they are awarded but find the bomber is not so dead. In fact he has wired a city bus to explode and wants $3 million in 3 hours. He tips off Jack where the bomb is however once the bus goes over 50 mph the bomb arms, if it falls below 50 it then goes off. Jack finds himself on the bus with a civilian driver and a load of passengers desperately avoiding obstacle to keep the bus moving while Harry tries to find the bomber.
The big summer sleeper of it's year, the simple premise of this film meant it was easily the most talked about film  the cheapest marketing available! The film opens with a set piece around a lift-full of hostages. This introduces us to the characters and sets up the motive for the next bit on the bus. The bus is the majority of the film and when it gets going it is very good. When the story has to explain things or develop character the camera goes static and you can feel the dullness set in (e.g. in the bar-room after the award ceremony). However the action around the bus means that you never have time to draw breath  no matter how implausible it is.
Director Jan De Bont cut his teeth on Die Hard and knows how to do a tight action movie  however his desire for more and more bangs lead to a 20 minute conclusion which is not only forced but feels like it was tacked onto the end of the bus movie. It is stretched and just copies the action on the bus in an attempt to get the same effect  it doesn't succeed. Instead the ending leaves a bit of a sour taste after such a great movie  the last 2 times I watched this on TV I just turned it off after the bus bit ended, the ending really is that much of a let down.
Keanu Reeves makes the most of his role after Willis, Cruise, Tom Hanks, Depp and Stephen Baldwin all turned it down. He does the tough guy thing really well and still manages to come across as a semi-real person. Likewise Sandra Bullock gets herself star status and number one slot on every `100 sexist' lists for months to come by getting the role of Annie after Halle (this moment is so much bigger than me) Berry turned the role down. Bullock manages to be sexy and realistic  it's only at the end where she turns into your average women needing saving. Daniels is good in support, as is Spin City's Alan Ruck and the always reliable Joe Morton. Dennis Hopper is a very good bad guy  it's not quite Blue Velvet quality but he's very believable.
Overall the majority of this film is a real roller coaster that keeps the pressure up. However with the 20 minute ending De Bont shows he doesn't know when to stop and ruins things by going too far with the train climax. Sadly this lack of restraint also caused him to make the terrible Speed 2.