The movie that put Reeves and Bullock on viewers' radar.

Rating: Null/10 (15 December 2004)

When "Speed" hit the theaters in 1994, Keanu Reeves was 30 and already had around 20 movies to his credit, but those of us who knew him at all, probably knew him for his two "Bill and Ted" roles. Hardly a resume' that would lead to the roles that followed, especially the landmark role of 'Neo' in the Matrix movies. Similarly, Sandra Bullock was also 30, had about 12 to 15 movies to her credit, but 'Love Potion No. 9' from 1992 was arguably her best. As we now know, she has gone on to a very successful acting career, and came to her senses a few years ago, moving to the Austin, Texas area. One of her most fun to watch movies, 'Hope Floats' with Harry Connick, Jr., was shot in little Smithville, a town I know well, and where my friend 'Will' lives. 'Speed' was a very successful movie for Reeves and Bullock, mainly because nothing like it came before, and it has a story line which holds your interest. Not a great movie, but always a fun one to watch again.
Some SPOILERS FOLLOW, quit reading, OK. Reeves is one of the good guys here, playing Officer Jack Traven, and his nemesis turns out to be Dennis Hopper in a great role as Howard Payne. Payne booby traps a bus, such that once it gets going, explosives will go off, killing all aboard, if the speed drops below 55 miles per hour. Sandra Bullock plays Annie Porter, one of the passengers. To save everyone, Traven must jump aboard the bus, take control of the bus, helped by Porter, and get everyone off before the bus explodes. This creates many exciting 'chase scenes' on the freeways and through the streets. Traven prevails, Porter and he become romantically linked. Cute movie.