Review of Speed (1994) by Noah A — 22 Jun 2014

If you asked me about my top 5 action films, Speed will be included in that list if not my number one pick. I remember when this film came out in 1994. I was mesmerized by the suspense, story, action and sound design. I understand why this film won the award for sound. I live the sound of the bus swiping cars on and off the 105, the cables breaking off the elevator, the heavy bass sound of the bus going airborne and crashing through construction signs and the explosions. Speed is my go to film to show off any home theater system. There are two reasons that I feel that Speed is one of the best action films ever made.

Most action films, if not all will tag the line "edge of your seat", "high octane suspense" or "nonstop thrills". Speed is the very definition of those tag lines. It is a film that understands how to build tension. We the audience understands that the good guy will evidently succeed, however this film builds up tension with its sequences. We feel the suspense from the very beginning as the protagonist quickly rescue hostages from an elevator set to explode or drop at any minute, we feel the tension as the bus overcomes certain challenges as it maintains a limit of 50 mph, and we also feel the tension as Jack rescues Annie from a crazed madman and a speeding subway train. Suspense is a key trait in action and Speed utilizes this technique well. The tension is what keeps the audience enthralled into the action and story. The suspense in Speed keeps the audience engaged in the film. Anyone that has seen this film will feel cliche when saying it is a film that doesn't stop. And it's true.

The second reason to this film being so great is the pacing. Speed doesn't take it's time building up to the action, it throws it's audience right into the action. The fast pace works for two reasons. The first reason is because it sets the pace for the film. From the very beginning we understand the type if film Speed is set to be. This film wouldn't work if it was a slow paced action flick because the audience would lose interest. The second reason for the fast pace, is that it helps the audience overlook any plot holes. Sure this movie has plot holes and Dennis Hopper is hamming up the villain role. However the fast pace keeps us invested in the story and characters and we tend to accept the choices that were made in the film. Pacing is the key to keep the audience interested and to help them overlook any inaccuracies or plot holes.

I rewatched Speed and I have to admit. For a film that us 20 years old it still holds up. Pop quiz hotshot!!!