The Bus That Couldn't Slow Down

Rating: 8/10 (18 May 2020)

Speed was one of great '90s action film that stands with The Rock and Con Air for high concept fun. Speed's high concept was a bus has to keep its speed above 50mph or it would explode. The filmmakers used this idea to its fullest as the people on the bus face numerous challenges that could slow them down e.g. traffic, fuel leaks, and unfinished roads. There was a focus on a small cast of memorable characters and witty dialogue - Joss Whedon did uncredited rewrites and it showed. Speed was Jan de Bont's directorial debut and clearly learned from his time on the Die Hard set how to make a taut actioner.