About Flawed Freaking Fun

Post 1075:

            I’d like to take some time to dive into a movie that is probably on your top ten of all time. Yes, I’m talking about Speed. The one about a cop and a bus and a bomb and a cute girl and a bad guy. Maybe there are some logical problems with this movie and maybe some of the acting is odd, but it’s frigging fun.

Several reasons why I love it. The thing never lets up. The pacing is great. Just when you think you might check out, here comes another insoluble problem that our hero has to face. The opening sequence is related to the overall story but doesn’t take place on the bus (the main stage) which is interesting. It sets the tone right from the jump—fun, intense, kinetic, funny, and completely ridiculous.

            They went all out in the 90s. I know, the tired “good old days” routine. But dammit, them were for real the “good old days.”

            And what about Dennis Hopper as the mad bad bomber? He loves being a villain, loves money and is completely honest about his shallow nature. When he’s not blowing something up he’s cracking jokes or trying to teach Keanu Reeves about the greater purpose of life or some other crazy shiz. I love it.

            There are some sequences that strain credulity to the point where it takes you out of the plot. Buses can’t fly. But this is Speed. In Speed, buses can fly. Deal with it.

            Another thing l like is how the hostages have distinctive characters. They do a decent job with dialogue and editing so we actually care about the victims. That means a lot for the story. Sometimes in movies the hostages are just cardboard cutouts. Nobody cares if cardboard gets blown up. Good job, movie.

            Great dialogue. Jeff Daniels and Keanu are great partners. Everybody has something to do. Every second there’s a new challenge to face that makes sense in the story. Flawed and yet a…blast.

            I apologize. I will go sit in time out now.

            Cheers and see you after.