Speed 2: Cruise Control
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Speed 2: Cruise Control
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Speed 2: Cruise Control is an action-adventure sequel with non-stop violence, though it refrains from becoming too graphic. Sandra Bullock reprises her role as Annie Porter -- though there's no Keanu Reeves this time -- with the action taking place on a cruise liner rather than a bus. Willem Dafoe plays John Geiger, a computer hacker who sets the boat on course to hit an oil tanker. The film is unrelenting in its commitment to high-speed action. There are countless explosions and untold destruction, no doubt with several injuries to the public, though the film doesn't linger on any potential casualties. Annie is a strong-female lead, and displays great courage and pragmatism. She also helps bring together other characters who display teamwork and unity, in trying to overcome Geiger. The language is generally mild with the occasional use of words such as "s--t" and "ass." Before everything descends into disaster, characters are seen drinking alcohol on the cruise, in moderation.
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What's the Story?
In SPEED 2: CRUISE CONTROL, Annie Porter (Sandra Bullock) is whisked away by her police officer boyfriend, Alex Shaw (Jason Patric), on a romantic cruise, where he intends to propose. Unfortunately the couple are unknowingly onboard with the sociopathic John Geiger (Willem Dafoe), who was fired from his job, and holds a grudge. Having designed the ship's computer systems, Geiger still has complete control of the vessel.
Is It Any Good?
This Keanu Reeves-less sequel is masked by its commitment to non-stop action and entertainment, that you're almost distracted from its shortcomings, of which there are many. Always in the shadow of its predecessor, Speed 2: Cruise Control faced an unenviable task of matching the white-knuckle ride of the 1994 hit. Unfortunately with its contrived attempt to mirror the same concept -- simply changing the means of travel -- it doesn't have that sharp sense of originality about it. Yet it is a movie that is easy enough to sit back and enjoy. Dafoe is a brilliantly unhinged villain, and that always helps matters tremendously when dealing with a film of this nature.
However the absence of Reeves is felt, and while Patric -- who plays Annie's boyfriend -- is an accomplished performer, he doesn't quite have that same charisma and star quality of his counterpart. Met at the time with quite disastrous reviews -- including a Razzie award -- Speed 2: Cruise Control is perhaps now benefiting from the passing of time and Hollywood nostalgia. It feels like a bit of an old popcorn movie, of which few are made today. That said, it's perfectly easy to understand why, at the time, people weren't quite so forgiving.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the action in Speed 2: Cruise Control, and the subsequent violence and destruction. Did you find it entertaining or over the top? What's the impact of media violence on kids?
Have you see the prequel to this movie? How did this compare? What makes a good sequel?
Discuss the character Annie. How did she demonstrate courage and teamwork? Why are these such positive character strengths to possess?
Movie Details
- In theaters: June 13, 1997
- On DVD or streaming: July 23, 2002
- Cast: Sandra Bullock, Jason Patric, Willem Dafoe
- Director: Jan De Bont
- Studio: Twentieth Century Fox
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- Topics: Adventures
- Character Strengths: Courage, Teamwork
- Run time: 121 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG-13
- MPAA explanation: frenetic disaster action and violence
- Last updated: July 26, 2022
For kids who love action
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