SPEED (1994) Retrospective/Review

[@doughemi]

First R-rated movie I saw in the theater...walked out exhausted and exhilarated. What a thrill ride! They don't make 'em like they used to.

[@alienboy1322]

True that.

[@stellviahohenheim]

This is R?

[@alienboy1322]

@@stellviahohenheim Yep.

[@kerry-j4m]

I saw this film at the cinema and boy was I entertained !!! Didn't expect the movie to be so-GOOD-and had lots of thrills too. Sandra Bullock was so-PRETTY-in this film and did a very good job with her acting also. Speed 2 was a big-BUST-also saw it at the cinema and haven't viewed it since. LOL.

[@krisfrederick5001]

Shout out to Jeff Daniels, he wasn't just "Dumb and Dumber" in 1994. And to think his agent tried to talk him out of that because it would ruin his career.

[@mattblom3990]

If you're a hockey fan, there was a recent controversy involving Boston Bruins' president Cam Neely. And so many people still don't know Cam Neely is Sea Bass.

[@Tom_Samad]

Interesting! I always did wonder whatever happened to Sea Bass from Dumb and Dumber. ​@mattblom3990

[@GranTruismo4head]

@@mattblom3990in the first or second film?

[@mattblom3990]

@@GranTruismo4head Both films!

[@zebertmcfly7274]

Both of Daniels' characters in these movies are named Harry, btw.

[@wstine79]

"POP QUIZ, HOT SHOT!!"

[@disposablehero43]

The correct answer is Pabst Blue Ribbon

[@GranTruismo4head]

“Why are they messing with me?! Do they think I’m doing this for fun!?”

[@repairshop22]

I will say Oliver. Out of all the movies you've covered this is the one I knew the least about behind the scenes even though this is one of my favorite movies so thank you for another stellar retrospective 👏👏

[@MikeOrtego]

I saw a provocative movie about computers called "The Net". It starred that girl from "The Bus"!

[@owieczkacs]

This is the movie that made me fall in love with Sandra Bullock in the 90's :D

[@anubusx]

I always get her mixed up with Terri Hatcher.

[@rogerk6180]

I think everyone fell in love with her lol.

[@owie4070]

​@@rogerk6180 I sure did when I saw her in Demolition Man.

[@ReverendMeat51]

She's still great!

[@Crukren89]

@@rogerk6180 Yeah Keanu fell for her hard, you can see glimpses of it in the BTS. Sandra was a total cutie though.

[@JOSH-lw2jv]

One of the best action films of the 1990s. 👍👍

[@kerry-j4m]

AGREED.

[@krisfrederick5001]

To imagine Keanu went from Bill and Ted to this, the Matrix and John Wick is amazing. That's an Excellent Adventure!

[@evgenigradinar2731]

You forgot Point Break, Johnny Mnemonic, and Constantine

[@SolidPain6624]

Duke kaboom in Toy Story 4

[@ricepony33]

If he went back in time it would be a bogus journey.

[@shaunmclorinan9656]

Devils advocate

[@alienboy1322]

Hell of a career.

[@motherplayer]

I particular appreciate Dennis Hopper's turn as the villain here, just because he manages to balance a sense of insanity along with a sense of cunning. Doing all this for the sake of "getting his due" along with just the thrill of the drama of it all. Even in the less interesting final act (Which is saying something when a train is rigged to go off and ends up crashing into the streets instead.), he still keeps the thrills high until his untimely demise. Never a dull moment with him in this film, and I feel like you can't often say that will villains (In a satisfying way, anyway.) Really hope I get a chance to see this on a big theater screen proper one day.

[@RoosterMontgomery]

Without thumbs, we're nothing.

[@MrRoda8143]

Didn't he always play the villain in his movie roles?

[@Gorilla_Jones]

I loved this movie when my friends and I went to go see it we had so much fun. The 80s and 90s were just the Golden era man. So many awesome and fun movies.

[@richardgadberry8398]

"The Bus That Couldn't Slow Down."

[@anubusx]

I love Speed 3 in Father Ted.

[@richardgadberry8398]

@@anubusx "THOSE WOMEN WERE IN THE NIP!"

[@anubusx]

@@richardgadberry8398 "We put the brick on the accelerator."

[@DMBreppin517]

"Poor people are crazy Jack, I'm eccentric" favorite line in a badass action movie full of good one liners

[@Skrean]

Nice intro edit buddy! I am Dutch, Jan de Bont and Paul verhoeven are my heroes. Watch this movie multiple times each year, there is nothing like it.

[@Blanka1100]

I am Polish and I am proud of Andrzej Bartkowiak, the cameraman

[@bobcharlotte8724]

I'll never forget my older brother saw this twice on opening day. Went in the morning, then with friends again in the evening. At the time I thought he was crazy.. Until I saw the film. It's an action suspense masterpiece.

[@mechinate]

29:35 I can't stop laughing at this snippet. Keanu is awesome but him trying to speak the King's is comedy gold 😁

[@Pewpewpew182]

Thanks, Oliver this is probably one of the best retrospectives you’ve ever done! My only nitpick is you didn’t include the segment from workaholics where they even brought back the bus driver from speed and and nearly re-created that whole scene The moment the bomb is mentioned on the bus😂😂

[@tvalst]

Brilliant retrospective. Well done.

[@2010vintagesandwichenjoyer]

One of my favorite movies of all time Thank you for covering it

[@DrQuagmire1]

my father and I absolutely loved this movie when we saw it in the theaters, and obviously, the bus jumping that missing gap in the freeway was the biggest highlight in the movie

[@kerry-j4m]

What do you think of the film: Gone in 60 Seconds ??? Not the original movie tho,the remake.

[@DrQuagmire1]

@@kerry-j4m it was alright, but it was a little too slow in alot of scenes

[@bsgtrekfan88]

I know Speed 2 gets a bad rap, but the score is phenomenal! He managed to take the themes from the first film, and put an Island twist to it. I have always felt that its just as good at doing what the score did for the first film. Its not amazing, but it has its moments ;) As a soundtrack enthusiast, I am SO happy to have the recording sessions for both films, as well as Twister!

[@DrQuagmire1]

that was the only good part about "Speed 2", was the film's music soundtrack

[@noellezcano]

Agreed.

[@noellezcano]

​@@DrQuagmire1Argeed.

[@TheLandofObscusion]

Since it's not brought up here, it is also worth mentioning that, while Graham Yost seemingly didn't mention it as an influence, in 1975 Toei made the film The Bullet Train (a.k.a. Shinkansen Daibakuha, or also Super Express 109), which is literally "Speed on a Train... Only Made 20 Years Before Speed", as it's about a bullet train rigged with a bomb that will go off if the train goes below 40 kmh, & starred both Ken Takakura & Sonny Chiba. Since Graham was told about Runaway Train by his father, it's possible that the elder Yost had seen both Bullet & Runaway Train & simply merged the two concepts together when telling his son about the film.

[@NobleGlobalTraveller]

Great Review Oliver! Just watched Keanu in the film (Point Break) & it still holds up

[@TheDarkHour684]

Appreciate everything you do, sir!

[@workonesabs]

30 years ago, where has the time gone? I bought Speed on Blu Ray recently and still a fun movie to watch.

[@eddiee8478]

perfec timing. i'mm gonna cook a meal and watch this.

[@marcusillanes6713]

What are you gonna eat..?

[@eddiee8478]

@@marcusillanes6713 nachos

[@marcusillanes6713]

@@eddiee8478 Nice...!

[@dbreiden83080]

One of my favorite action movies of all time. A truly unique classic ..

[@tacitronin4970]

Yet ANOTHER outstanding review from the best on KZbin. Mr. Harper, your research and the consistent quality of your videos are truly great. Thank you for your hard work Sir. I look forward to every review you release. Cheers!

[@VenusHeadTrap2]

The SPEED 5-Star Collection DVD is one of the greatest home releases for a film ever produced. I had that DVD and watched the making of Speed over and over and over!

[@albertelazar4069]

"SPEED 1994" by Jean De Bont was a MASTERPIECE of action films! They simply dont make movies like that anymore today.

[@MattMovies611]

Speed is my favorite action movie! I still remember watching it the first time watching it, I sought it out after being a fan of the Die Hard movies and Sudden Death and saw it mention on many “best Die Hard rip off” lists; I was so engaged by the movie it was one of those films I didn’t want to end and every time I go back to it I still get wrapped up into it. Great action, performances, score and visuals

[@DaveVoyles]

I just watched this again now that it was recently released on 4K, and this film holds up so incredibly well. The picture quality itself is absolutely fantastic. I don’t understand why we don’t get great action movies like this anymore. Mostly practical effects, very few use of computers, and the stunts were top-notch. I feel like when we go to the theater today it is nothing but computers

[@motherplayer]

We still get some in pockets. Sisu, Wrath of Man, Furiosa (Not a big success and not everyone will be a fan, but I really dug it, as it has the heart of a practical film, even if it's strongly digital.), Fall Guy has some likability depending, even John Wick 4 last year proved an amazing experience for as much as I didn't think it would go over well. Anyway, just some thoughts, don't have to agree.

[@DaveVoyles]

@@motherplayer You raise some very good points!

[@JOSH-lw2jv]

Another memorable cinematographer was Dean Cundey who went and directed Disney's first ever live-action film that was released direct-to-video: *"Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves"* (1997). It was also his only film as a director.

[@danielbones]

Jurassic park

[@manoz6194]

One of my fave movies growing up

[@danny200mph5]

I am a city bus driver. And this is my worst nightmare

[@RamblesBrambles]

Surely a crazy meth head with a knife threatening to kill everyone is a more realistic nightmare..each to their own I guess!

[@BigBubbaloola]

Interesting stuff about the digital matt paintings. They have held up VERY well!

[@trainlover16]

Decided to watch this film again after watching this review. A good decision that was. Thanks Oliver.

[@ptittannique5621]

First time I asked a girl out on a date, it was to go watch this movie. She said yes, but never showed... She missed a good show.

[@TheJediOtaku]

Everytime I hear the opening music to your videos it puts me a nostalgic place to appreciate the insights you are about to share. Love it.

[@Resimaster]

What a film. One of my favourites. And I'm so glad you gave the epic Speed 3 a mention 😂

[@TheSilverDubberII]

Been enjoying your deep dives for years: proper trainspotter stuff. Thank you for all your hard work. 🧡

[@BeegableRock]

I wish this retrospective reivew was on the Speed DVD back in the day haha, great video as usual!

[@jonbourgoin182]

FINALLY! I have been asking you for this forever!

[@entropynme]

Thank you for mentioning the Father Ted parody, definitely my favorite parody of Speed and a show that deserves to be more well known here in the US

[@raphaelperry8159]

Jos Whedon. That explains the frequent use of "don't get dead" instead of "don't get killed". It makes much more sense as a Whedonism/Whedonspeak.

[@thestomp1647]

“Any luck with the bomb?” “Yeah, it didn’t go off.” Always struck me as a very Whedon quip.

[@Peer165]

"There's ganna be a time, boy, you'll wish you never met me". "Mister I'm already there". Classic.

[@motherplayer]

Not to mention the surprising casualness about getting shot in the leg.

[@edvaira6891]

Barry Sonnenfeld was one of those great cinematographers (most notably for the Coen Brothers in the 1980s) who moved seamlessly into being a successful film director (with the Addams Famly movies as well as the Men In Black movies)😊

[@frequenco5545]

Any youtube movie reviewer anno 2024 still referring to Siskel & Ebert has my respect and upvote. Thumbs up on this video review!

[@nickygouldstone3532]

Omg having the worst day and this pops up ony feed. Always happy to see a new vid from you buddy! Thank you.

[@douglasmonroe7417]

@Oliver Harper, Here's some trivia and fun fact if you can call it that. Because there was a third Speed movie planned. It was supposed to be set on a commercial airliner. Keanu Reeves Was set to reprise his role and it's rumored Sandra Bullock was also coming back. But before the film could enter production or post production, you can probably guess what happened. This was the early 2000s and around that time, a certain event happened. It involved actual planes crashing and It involved Al Quada. You can probably guess what I'm talking about. Long story short, the movie was canceled after this event happened. But anyways there was a movie based on one of those planes that did crash. It was called United 93 by Paul Greengrass. But yeah. No Speed 3 and I doubt it will ever see the light of day.

[@tyrannozilla]

Still hard to believe that Dennis Hopper passed away 14 years ago. We miss you, hot shot.

[@Anynom]

Saw this in a sneak preview in 1994. Still holds up today as genius action classic. And love you remind how Siskel & Ebert gave the sequel two thumbs up.

[@Philroq7]

I love Speed. I was 14 at the time and saw it 3 times at the cinema. When it finally came out on VHS I rented it and saw several times once again.

[@J_Skeezy]

Tuneman's "BOMB ON BUS" note/music swell genuinely freaked me out as a wee lad. "Take me to the Interchange of the 105" is still quoted by me and my aunt to this very day.

[@ItsNuxFury]

I love the scene where Miles Dyson angrily yells at the news van guy to record a loop of tape from the bus. He is so irrationally angry at the news guy and the news guy gets so visibly annoyed/angry at Dyson yelling at him. Cracks me up every time, lol.

[@stevegee21]

Run it!!

[@stevegee21]

Run it!

[@MrRoda8143]

but it captures the moment perfectly how we would expect it would play out in real life. Well written and directed!

[@MrRoda8143]

Everything about this movie was just perfect. The casting, pacing, movie score, etc. Even the bit characters weren't asinine, and acted how they would have played in real life. I never tire of watching this movie over and over again.

[@andylikesstuffchannel]

SPEED in 1994 being 18 years old was a word that was used alot at the time at Raves and in Clubs

[@JamesB-mg9pk]

Speed is in my top ten greatest action movies of all time. Dennis Hopper was awesome and so fun to watch. I was 12 when this came out and saw it twice with my dad. Great retrospect.

[@jeenkzk5919]

You’ve taken me back to the summer of ‘94! Why isn’t this movie more talked about?!

[@thestomp1647]

So Glad Father Ted’s “Speed 3” episode made it into the video.

[@Emulous79]

I was lucky to have been the exact age (15) seeing this back in the day at the Warner West End in London. Breathtaking!

[@triggeredcat120]

I LOVE this movie next to De Bont’s other film Twister.

[@FlipsGTS]

The main title score is just one of the best ever for me. Sets the tone for the movie and it just delivers

[@RichManZ]

Excellent review. Speed is a 5 star classic. One of the best suspense action films that came out of the 90s

[@tristanmichels5721]

The film where Sonic discovered a true national treasure.

[@Bren0780K]

Fantasic movie! A perfect example of how bigger budget does not always equal a better movie.

[@Gledster]

A little side note: I believe Reeves and Bullock became good friends on this shoot and are still friends to this day. Great video Oliver. Thank you.

[@MrRoda8143]

Turns out Sandra had a huge crush on Keanu, and he confirmed on an Ellen D show that the feeling was mutual. But being the professional he was, he brushed it off

[@KonElKent]

I wish I could remember the documentary name, but I saw an interview with a studio suit who described the 90s action cycle as "Die Hard, but in a..." Speed is Die Hard, but in a bus! Under Siege is Die Hard, but in a Battleship. Air Force One is Die Hard, but in a plane. Apparently said suit was pitched the Van Damme film Sudden Death as literally "Die Hard, but in a... Building!"

[@CinemaGulp]

My 5th favorite action film of all time.

[@MrCalverino]

I remember going to the movies to watch this and it really had the whole theater on edge... I miss those days of experiencing movies with other ppl

[@benjaminlebaron7128]

Outstanding Oliver! I’m so glad for this new review!

[@kerbolax]

Rewatching Terminator 2, Die Hard and Speed recently I actually have similar feelings about all of them, that being action movies that are just amazingly executed and you can watch over and over again and always feel engaged

[@patmccrotch5373]

How does any movie get made? It's unbelievable the amount of work (and a minor miracle) that goes into bringing a movie to the big screen.

[@cloudtx]

One of the greatest action movies ever made. A total bona fide classic!

[@chrisw443]

This should be on the 4k bluray as a special feature hot dang!

[@Swayeee]

This film is basically GOAT'd. Great vid.

[@LustVanGoth]

You dont know how much i thank you for doing this fantastic review of my top 1 movies of all time :) its the best review i watched, glad you included so many shots behind the scenes i didnt even seen can you tell me from where you got them?

[@loftlegacy]

Saw it in Canada on release with jet lag! I was fascinated how dark the theatre was with no green illuminated fire safety pictograms signs. Loved it!

[@DaddyGreer65]

I forgot Miles Dyson was in this!

[@philippeh3904]

One of my favourite action films. Also one I always show my friends and is always a certified winner.

[@mahmudmurad4655]

I love Speed 1994, is one of my favorite movies, and is in my top 10 of the 90s. I often saw it with my friends in the cinema and it was one of the greatest experiences in theatre.

[@GranTruismo4head]

Another classic from my childhood?! Oliver! Are you doing this intentionally? Because this is another one I’m so happy you did. Please keep up the great work brother!

[@KristopherSatchell]

About damn time for another retrospective!

[@tun-tunninc.6492]

This was a fantastic film. I still wonder if a third one is possible. 😊

[@ardas77]

that Metal Gear Solid theme connection is mindblowing :D

[@MrRoda8143]

Yes it is! Glad I'm not the only one who got this! MGS is one of my all-time fave video games, especially MGS1

[@tahuaroa]

my favourite Keanu film… good retrospective, well done

[@JamminOnThe1]

Saw this movie 30 years ago in the theater as a high school senior. One of the best theater experiences I’ve ever had. Such a great flick and I really think the secret sauce that makes it so good is the reason why Point Break is a classic. And that reason is… Keanu Reeves.

[@FaydOgolon]

"Die Hard 3" was supposed to take place on a cruise ship. However, when "After Siege" used a battle ship, Fox scrapped plans for "Die Hard 3." I've never seen it confirmed, but I've always wondered if they didn't just take the script for "Die Hard 3" and turn it into "Speed 2." (Supposedly, they used the cruise ship sets they had already built.) I also want to note that the cruise ship in "Speed 2" didn't look like it was travelling very fast, as least not enough to call it "Speed 2." However, when "Titanic" came out, I was surprise that James Cameron could film it in such a way that it looked like it was going really fast. If those techniques could have been used for "Speed 2," it would have been more successful.

[@DoctorPretorious616]

A '90s action classic that holds a certain special place in my heart, as it was the first R-rated film that I saw in a theater, snuck in to see it!

[@Pewpewpew182]

My favorite 90s movie. Happy 30th anniversary to Jack and his retirement and that gold watch 😂

[@hellisthenightside]

People love Keanu in The Matrix or John Wick... I love Keanu in Speed. I would rent a vhs copy at my local library whenever I got a chance. This movie holds a special place in my heart.

[@wstine79]

I remember seeing this on a 8th Grade field trip to Atlantic Beach on the greyhound bus of all places. The tension on the bus was great aa were the cast if character actors.

[@danielwilliamson6180]

Speed is a classic.

[@eddiespuhghetti5355]

Thank you x200 for addressing the Father Ted ep being the best sequel

[@GuineaPigEveryday]

Seen this film 4 times in the last 2 years, the last being in a theatrical re-release a few months back, it really never gets old, absolute classic 90s action, where you didn't need constant overstimulating action thrown at you, but a movie would actually take the time to raise the stakes one by one, or you know leave time for decent dialogue. Great premise, brilliant execution by Jan de Bont,

[@brucemfvane4148]

90s action films when the score was just as big as the movie. it made you feel like you were on a rollercoaster. The music in this film doesn't get enough credit. It's up there with predator and Terminator 2

[@MrRoda8143]

Exactly! A great musical score adds so much depth to the impact a film has in the audience

[@matthewwynne939]

I don't know if it's because I was so obsessed with this movie and noticed things on repeat viewings that other people may have missed the first time around or that if some of the filmmaking errors were really that bad. Things like seeing the movie crew reflected in the bus doors, or the shadow of the camera crane, or seeing the opening where the sparks were coming out of that were supposed to be created by the train being scraped on the asphalt, or the cables pulling the bus towards the airplane. I wonder if those got edited out of the special edition?

[@ricardocasolin1455]

As always a great review! To bad Jan de Bont could not make his Godzilla. We the Emmerich version instead. Would love a Haunting (1999) review. The film is disappointing but has its moments and the craft is top notch. Interesting behind the scenes story also!

[@ThatFilmGuyyy]

Great job on this video!

[@emilijusgrybas1650]

Thank you Oliver for your work! Really❤!

[@john-r-edge]

Interested in the Runaway Train connection. That movie is so good on many levels - action combined with rich character interaction. Both Eric Roberts and Jon Voigt nominated for academy awards. Final scene as train heads to final disaster accompanied by Et in Terra Pace from Vivaldi's Gloria provides a serene ending when none seemed possible.

[@TheBeird]

Used to watch this all the time as a kid. It was the VHS with the big Speed 2 featurette. I grew out of Speed but watching this review makes me wanna revisit it. Sounds morbid to say but my favourite bit is Jack's reaction to Temple's death. It always bothered me in movies when the main character's friend is killed and they get over it quickly. I love that they allowed Jack to grieve and be angry. It's one of the most human moments in an action film I've seen outside of Die Hard.

[@khangla4658]

Awesome review! What's your next review Oliver?