25 Years On, Do You Feel The Need For Speed?

Never mind your rom-coms or historical dramas – this Father’s Day it is Dad’s turn to pick out a film to watch. What could be better than one he’ll have seen back in 1994 – action hit Speed, starring Keanu Reeves as a cop trying to prevent a bomb from going off on a Los Angeles bus. This truly fast and furious, nerve-jangling non-stop thrill-ride, directed by Jan de Bont, took over $350million at the box office and turned Reeves into a global superstar.

To celebrate its 25th Anniversary here are 25 of the best moments from the slam-bang action classic, that’d make a perfect present for your hero dad on Father’s Day…

1. All in a day’s work
Keanu, as LAPD cop Jack Traven, dangles upside down in an attempt to free the occupants of a bomb-rigged elevator – perhaps Tom Cruise saw this and it inspired his similar acrobatics for 1996’s Mission Impossible?

1. Meet and greet
   Traven and his partner Harry (played by Jeff Daniels) have their first encounter with Speed’s villain Howard Payne (Dennis Hopper), who had a nasty little surprise for them.

2. Wake up call
   All Traven wanted to do was get his coffee and muffin before work, and then this happens.

3. Don’t slow down!
   If you’ve ever grumbled about your bus going too slow, and stopping every two minutes, hop on this one – it won’t go slower than 50mph and won’t stop for anything or anyone. The reason being, if it goes under 50, the bomb goes… boom!

1. All aboard
   Keanu gets his action hero stripes with some serious stunt work in Speed – after this, The Matrix and John Wick 3 will be a doddle.

2. The start of a beautiful friendship
   Initial impressions count, and Annie, played by Sandra Bullock, speaks her mind when she first encounters Traven.

3. Problem passenger
   As if a bomb on a bus isn’t enough, Traven also has to contend with a passenger who doesn’t appear to have a valid ticket.

1. A new partnership
   It’s an iconic moment in a classic film – Annie takes the wheel after the bus driver is accidentally shot.

2. Stay on or get off?
   In a bid to get out of traffic so the bus can stay at over 50mph, Annie has to take desperate measures.

3. Police escort
   Signs that something is very very wrong – your morning commute requires a dozen police cars and helicopters.

4. FLOOR IT!
   There’s a 50ft gap in the freeway ahead. What do you do? Simple – speed up and hope you can leap over it.

1. Sweet relief
   On her first day driving the bus, when she’s not even a bus driver, and after managing to fly across a gaping hole in the road, the customers are understandably grateful to Annie.

2. Where’s he going?
   What’s this? Keanu has hopped off the bus and left the passengers alone with the bomb? Nooooooo!

3. Road to nowhere
   It’s bad being stuck on a runway when you’re waiting for your plane to take off. It’s worse when you’re stuck on a runway in a bus, waiting for someone to come and rescue because the bus might blow up at any second.

1. Silly questions
   Traven has just risked life and limb hanging off the underside of the bus, attempting to diffuse the bomb. When he is finally dragged safely inside, one of the passengers is treated to a withering Traven putdown.

2. Booby trapped
   Just when you thought the film couldn’t have any more twists and turns, director Jan de Bont pulls the rug out from the audience’s feet once again – or rather, completely incinerates expectations the only way he knows how!

3. The man you love to hate
   Hopper, as Howard Payne, seems to be enjoying the carnage he has created far too much.

4. Safety first
   This is why you should never attempt to board a bus when it’s already moving.

1. Hold on tight
   Buckle up – it’s going to be a bumpy ride!

2. This is my stop
   At this point in the film, Jack and Annie disembark from the bus in a rather unorthodox manner – most people just ding the bell!

3. The big bang
   Described by some as the greatest action thriller of all time, Speed does not stint on the fireworks.

4. Love is in the air
   Amongst all the excitement, Jack and Annie manage to share a romantic moment, after being flung at high speed from a bus that is about to explode.

5. A cop’s work is never done
   Keanu certainly earned his paycheck for Speed – he doesn’t have a moment’s peace for most of the running time.

24. Showdown
Face to face with the mad bomber of Los Angeles, Traven tells him “You’re crazy.” To which Payne replies, “No, I’m eccentric.”

1. No brakes on a train
   Not content with his heroics on a speeding bus, Traven now contends with a subway train about to hit the buffers.

SPEED is available to buy now on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital Download. Treat Dad this Father’s Day: https://amzn.to/2MtpeIx

About the Author

Paul

Administrator

The founder of The People's Movies, started the site 20th November 2008.The site has excelled past all expectations with many only giving the site months and it's still going strong. A lover of French Thrillers, Post Apocalyptic films, Asian cinema. 2009 started Cinehouse to start his 'cinema education' learning their is life outside mainstream cinema. Outside of film, love to travel with Sorrento, Guangzhou and Manchester all favourite destinations.Musically loves David Bowie, Fishbone, Radiohead.

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