- Actors: Keanu Reeves
- Format: Box set, Collector's Edition, Colour, DVD-Video, NTSC
- Language English
- Region: Region 1 (US and Canada DVD formats.)
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9 - 2.35:1
- Number of discs: 3
- Classification: NR (Not Rated) (US MPAA rating. See details.)
- Studio: 20th Century Fox
- DVD Release Date: 30 July 2002
- Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B00008G6E9
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 279,265 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)
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Reviews
Amazon.co.uk Review
The movie that transformed Keanu Reeves into a bona fide action hero, Speed was also former cinematographer Jan De Bont’s assured directorial debut. It’s an almost perfect high-concept movie that lives up to its title both in the adroit choreography of the action set-pieces and Graham Yost’s taut screenplay, which is admirably stripped of all padding.
De Bont further heightens the excitement by his use of authentic locations as the out-of-control bus travels through, across and--in one unforgettable scene--a few feet in the air above the urban sprawl of LA. And instead of relegating the love interest to a dull subplot, here Sandra Bullock is an integral part of the action as she and her bus career around the city at 50-plus miles an hour. Even the opening credits neatly illustrate the film’s title, as does composer Mark Mancina’s pulsing score. Sensibly, Reeves passed on the ill-advised sequel and took on The Matrix instead; both screenwriter and director have yet to do anything better than this.
On the DVD: Speed is the kind of movie that was made for the DVD format, and this two-disc special edition does it full justice. The feature is presented anamorphically in its original 2.35:1 ratio with spectacularly vivid Dolby 5.1 or DTS 5.1 options. Jan De Bont provides a commentary, though his solo effort is less engaging than that of chatty producer Mark Gordon and writer Graham Yost who enjoy constantly interrupting each other.
Disc 2 has lots of goodies, including mini-documentaries on the key action set-pieces with storyboards and multi-angle views of the major stunts. "Inside Speed" looks at various aspects of the production, from locations to stunts; production design and visual effects, plus reproducing all of Graham Yost’s original screenplay. There are individual interviews with the director and principal stars, a short selection of extended scenes and a brief deleted one; a photo gallery, plus a promotional menu in which there is a HBO "making of" featurette, TV spots, trailers, a press kit and Billy Idol’s music video. In all, a satisfyingly extensive package.--Mark Walker
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I'm not particularly into films. And I've never really gone for action films, to be honest. See one car chase and you've seen them all. Explosions are always orange. But 'Speed' is something else. It's one of those films that comes on while you're doing the ironing and two hours later there's a large triangular hole in your best shirt, but you don't mind in the slightest. The best opening sequence since Die Hard 3 (and I only watched that because 'Speed' attuned my palate to the genre) reels you in and then whisks you along at well over 50mph to a breakneck (sorry) finish.
The plot is as strong as a rock: After seeing his painstakingly crafted bomb plot fail at the hands of two LA Cops (Reeves and Daniels), the bomber (Hopper) sets about exacting his revenge by setting a bus to explode if its speed drops below 50mph. The tension is expertly crafted, the film adjusts its pace at the all right times and the character development and attention to detail make the film rounded enough to avoid the trap of it becoming a formulaic action or disaster movie. A smart script full of nice touches and clever one-liners keeps you listening as well as watching. The result exceeds your expectations time and again throughout the length of the film.
Hopper is perfect as the crazed bomber "I'm not crazy, Jack - poor people are crazy. I'm eccentric." Bullock gives the best performance of her career (what a shame she consistently picked turkeys after leading in this epic) as the gutsy damsel at the wheel, and Reeves (let's be kind) grunts and flexes his way through the film except on the few occasions when his acting ability is uncomfortably stretched. Jeff Daniels meanwhile appears like a different human from the actor who goofed around so hilariously in Dumb and Dumber.
The film has everything. The Radio Times (and who doesn't trust that?) gives it five stars. Even girls will like it.
If you don't like action films, watch Speed. I did.
The plot is as strong as a rock: After seeing his painstakingly crafted bomb plot fail at the hands of two LA Cops (Reeves and Daniels), the bomber (Hopper) sets about exacting his revenge by setting a bus to explode if its speed drops below 50mph. The tension is expertly crafted, the film adjusts its pace at the all right times and the character development and attention to detail make the film rounded enough to avoid the trap of it becoming a formulaic action or disaster movie. A smart script full of nice touches and clever one-liners keeps you listening as well as watching. The result exceeds your expectations time and again throughout the length of the film.
Hopper is perfect as the crazed bomber "I'm not crazy, Jack - poor people are crazy. I'm eccentric." Bullock gives the best performance of her career (what a shame she consistently picked turkeys after leading in this epic) as the gutsy damsel at the wheel, and Reeves (let's be kind) grunts and flexes his way through the film except on the few occasions when his acting ability is uncomfortably stretched. Jeff Daniels meanwhile appears like a different human from the actor who goofed around so hilariously in Dumb and Dumber.
The film has everything. The Radio Times (and who doesn't trust that?) gives it five stars. Even girls will like it.
If you don't like action films, watch Speed. I did.
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Speed" is one of the best action films with a few comedy bits; it is so great that it will live you clinging to your chair. There are lots of action, suspense and great explosions that will bow you away. Speed does live up to its title, even if you see it multiple times; the suspense is still there. Speed has a great cast including Keanu Reeves, Dennis Hopper, Joe Morton, Jeff Daniels and Sandra Bullock.
Keanu Reeves plays Jack Traven, an LAPD officer whom with his partner Harry Temple (played by Jeff Daniels) rescue a group of executives trapped in a sabotaged elevator, hence foils a mad bomber named Howard Payne's (played by Dennis Hopper) plans to collect a ransom of $3M. In reprisal, Payne sets a bomb on a city bus, which will arm itself when the bus reaches 50 mph, and explode if the bus goes below 50 mph and if any passengers try to get off. Sandra Bullock, who plays Annie Porter, one of the passenger who ends up driving the bus during the whole movie.
From elevator, to car, to bus, to train, the thrills never cease in Speed; it's got the finest ingredients for action, a striking romance between Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock. Although I have never seen such an access panel on a bus before, I am also certain that those buses are not able to open their doors while in motion, and thinking of travelling on a public transport in Los Angeles traffic at 50 mph is astonishing. Even though this movie is still a great movie.
The thing that makes this great movie is that it is not all predictable, it makes you think, and "I was like WOW I did not see that coming".
Overall this movie is excellently made with big wonderful explosions, great casts, non-stop actions, a fast movie and it's like a roller coaster. An overall rating is a magnificent 10 out of 10.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray
I already own this movie on special edition dvd. I was in too minds weather to actually buy it again on blu-ray. After reading some reviews and looked closer into it. I decided to buy it and I have to admit it was worth it.
The picture quality was excellent, a few little problems here and there but other than that excellent. The sound is also very good. If you already own the dvd I would jump in and replace it. Any blu-ray fans should have this in there collection.
The picture quality was excellent, a few little problems here and there but other than that excellent. The sound is also very good. If you already own the dvd I would jump in and replace it. Any blu-ray fans should have this in there collection.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
is ok
This film is a very very good action movie.Although the film has so much bad language it mostly ruins the film.The movie has about twenty one swear words. Read more
Published 2 months ago by John M. Osullivan
Just blow up already!
For some reason Speed seems to be above criticism. It doesn't deserve this regard. I've never liked this film, and for a long list of reasons. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Inspector Gadget
great action film
this film does exactly what it says. action all the way i like with this film you have the three set pieces the lift at the begining the bus (best part of the film i think) and the... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Andrew Beet
absolutely awesome.
One of my favourite action films of all time, it never gets boring and it's probably the film that i've seen most out of my whole collection, if you don't like this film you... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Mr. C. J. Davies
Dennis Hopper Rocks
I must admit I'm not a fan of Keanu Reeves aka the human plank but this is a movie where being emotionless and unable to act can be forgiven because theres a bomb on the bus. Read more
Published 9 months ago by ekb
Speedy
Arrived promptly (sooner than the estimate); nice, clean copy. Picture and sound good. No real extras (apart from the theater trailer) but for the price, I wasn't overly... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Fish on Legs
Speed kills.
Mad bomber Howard Payne is furious when one of his ransom plans is thwarted by officers Traven and Temple. So much so they become heavily involved in his next devilish plan. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Spike Owen
Speed DVD
Really pleased with the quality of the product as this was classed as a used product. Great price and speedy delivery.
Published 17 months ago by Angie
Action!
Amazing action which is genuinely well made. We follow a lift bugged with a bomb by a revenge-driven extortionist who then manages to get away and plant a bomb on a public bus... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Miami
A stunning action movie
I rented Speed on Blu-Ray, and found it a very worth watching action-thriller. This action-packed thriller stars Keanu Reeves in his second-best action role as Jack Traven (with... Read more
Published 18 months ago
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