This film is one of the best action thrillers ever made. The premise, as outrageous as it is, is very simple. A madman places a bomb on a bus that as itself at 50 miles per hour and will blow up if it goes below 50. Keanu Reeves stars as cop Jack Traven in a performance that may not be Oscar worthy but started his very successful career as an action star. He is the target of the villain, played with great ham and bravado by Dennis Hopper. Also, it was a star making performance by Sandra Bullock that plays Annie. A passenger on the doomed bus and is very funny and endearing in her role. After a great beginning most of the action takes place after Jack gets on the bus as it moves through Los Angeles. Even though the script isn't Shakespeare the casting is really good. Reeves and Bullock have great chemistry. Director Jan De Bont kreis the pace of the film at a fever pitch. The action is very well done but because the cast dies a good job at creating relatable characters the action becomes more involving. They don't make films lime this anymore!!! Of course Spoed is considered by many to be the prototypical 90's action film. And it is.
But it's a classic action film.
Grade: A-
But it's a classic action film.
Grade: A-