Speed (R, 1994)

common sense media says

Explosive bus ride for mature action lovers.


parents & educators say

More on Speed

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about how closely this live-action movie resembles a cartoon or a superhero movie. Do you think anyone could really do all the things that Officer Jack Traven does? How believable are the events in this movie? How believable are the characters? Do you think the moviemakers are trying to tell a real story, or make a fantastical movie that is simply fun to watch? What other movies have you seen that fit into this category?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Two police officers from L.A.P.D.'s bomb squad prevent a madman (Dennis Hopper) from ransoming an elevator full of people for millions of dollars. The maniacal criminal plants another bomb on a Los Angeles city bus to get even with the policemen and to try and extort the money again. Officer Jack Traven (Keanu Reeves), aided by Annie Porter, one of the bus's passengers (Sandra Bullock), has to keep the bus moving faster than 50 mph or the bomb will go off. The speeding bus careens through the city, encountering one perilously dangerous situation after another.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

For action lovers, SPEED delivers. There are sensational crashes, thunderous explosions, vicious hand-to-hand combat sequences, valiant maneuvers aboard a bus, on top of a moving train, in an elevator shaft... nonstop suspense-filled feats of bravery to combat the nonstop evil of a brilliant, but unhinged, villain.

This is Keanu Reeves's first "action hero" role and he does just fine. It's the movie that made Sandra Bullock a star, and she's as adorable as she should be. As for Dennis Hopper, no one takes more pleasure in playing the psychotic misfit. The good guys (and gal) are very, very good. The bad guy is horrid. However, nothing in this film resembles reality. True-to-life events and authentic relationships are in short supply.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox
Director: Jan De Bont
Cast: Dennis Hopper, Keanu Reeves, Sandra Bullock
Genre: Action/Adventure
Run time: 116 minutes
Theatrical release: June 10, 1994
DVD release: February 1, 2005
MPAA Rating: R
MPAA explanation: for violence and language

This review was written by Renee Schonfeld
 
 

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Review Speed





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Yadad
teen, 17 years old
 
Crazy cussing, great movie
Skip this movie if you don't want swearing. They have limits, but very small ones. The violence is crazy, but since the movie is kind of old, the gore isn't convincing. Can be very scary for little kids, especially the elevator scence. But it's a perfect movie with great actors all the way through.

hansolo5150
teen, 16 years old
 
One of the best guy movie's of all time.
This is one of the best guy movie's ever! It's very violent, and the plot is there only so that the thrills and action can have a solid foundation. On-camera violence includes: stabbing in the head, decapitation on top of a train, a woman falling under a bus, and huge explosions (people killed in two of them). Plenty of cursing, "f" word "s" word, and more, used frequently. Sandra Bullocks character makes a joke about basing a relationship on sex, but almost nothing else related to that. Older teens who enjoy big booms, have fun!

Donkey 10000
kid, 12 years old
 
Really awesome movie (SERIOUSLY)
The only really violent part was at the beginning when the bad guy stabs somebody in the ear. It looks nasty.

PS3fan
teen, 15 years old
 
This was a cool movie!
This movie was great! It was action-packed, and had a very clever criminal! VIOLENCE: There is some violence in this movie. The violence is bloody. A few people die from explosions. A person gets their head decapitated on camera. This is shown some-what fast, but you can still see it. Overall, not super violent, and there isn't hundreds of people dying like in other movies. There is less than fifty deaths. SEX AND NUDITY: Two people say they can base their relationship off of sex. A guy says he will go home and have sex. DRUGS: I don't remember there being any drugs. A few people may smoke, but that would be it. LANGUAGE: There is about fifteen F-words. Not too bad for an R-rated movie. Overall, once a kid can handle some-what bloody deaths, a few F-words, and two uses of the word "sex", then they can see this awesome movie!

Jake2
teen, 14 years old
 
Good Movie!
A very good movie. Some uses of the f-word.

 
Awesome movie!
Love this movie! Saw it after there was a joke about it in PSYCH. Awesome movie definite must see. Bad role models: the bomber (DUH). But the main character is a good role model because he does everything he can to try to save the people on the bus; and his friend(poor guy) tries his best 'till his end.

MovieReviewz
teen, 17 years old
 
This movie was AMAZING. So exciting and intense, a total THRILLER. There may have been too much cussing but the overall movie was spectacular.

johnmarston
teen, 14 years old
 
The violence isn't too bad, but they swear a lot. They say f**k a ton of times, but what makes that the worst swear word anyway.

chrisisawesome33
teen, 17 years old
 
spectacular
amazing action/mystery with scene after scene of explosive action. it would be pg 13 if it had less f bombs and if the security guard was not stabbed in the head.

scooby625
kid, 13 years old
 
AWESOME
I saw it after i saw a myth about it on mythbusters its a great movie lots of cussing and a decapitation which was gross

Curcismith123
kid, 11 years old
 
Quite exciting!
Really exciting! Different than most action movies. This was quite exciting with a winning performance from Keanu Reeves. A must see for people who like action movies.

davyborn
teen, 17 years old
 
Exhausting and Breathless actioner is tons of fun for teens and adults
While it is intensely violent and is often quiet vesceral in it's detailed explosions and action sequences, Speed is a film that teens will be able to appreciate for it's scope on a limited budget for the time it was made in 1994 ($28,000,000), it's villain who is brilliantly played by Dennis Hopper, as always, and finally of course, for the frenetic and exhausting pace of the action sequences. Although, it is not appropriate for tweens considering the violence and the frequent strong language which includes several uses of the F-words. Still, strap in for the ride.

flavoredsarcasm
teen, 15 years old
 
Must watch
Speed is a great thriller/action movie! A few violent scenes involving killing and stabbing, with blood. There's more swearing and cussing, specifically the F-word, but it should be okay for kids over 13. Basically no scene with sex or anything that would make somebody feel uncomfortable.

mrs conn
parent of 11 year old
 
perfect for all ages 11+

max payne
teen, 14 years old
 
sweet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
love it but much blood and cursing.

CinemaFanatic
teen, 17 years old
 
Awesome Movie- Tons of Action
Definately a movie for action lovers. There is tons of peril and violence, and the action never stops until the very end. There isn't much gore exept for the beginning and end, but the explosions and tension never end. There are countless f-words, but they are not constant- they're mostly spread out. While the movie is violent, the heroes are extremely brave and never stop trying to save citizens. There is also some humor in the movie, which lightens the very tense mood at times, which is good. I highly recomend this movie for mature action movie lovers- it's a film you definately need to see if you're into these movies.

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