Speed Stars Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock reflect on filming the movie’s bus action sequences 30 years later, revealing they were a little too real at times. Released in 1994, Speed is directed by Jan de Bont, with Reeves starring as Jack Traven, a police officer trying to save passengers on a bus that will blow up if it goes below 50 mph. The film, which stars Bullock as Annie, a passenger who takes on driving duties, was a hit, with the high concept premise and tense bus action scenes earning positive reviews from critics and audiences.
During a recent panel at Beyond Fest 2024 in celebration of Speeds 30th anniversary, moderated by IndiewireBoth Reeves and Bullock recall being “Under-informed” About exactly what would happen during the film’s bus action scenes. Reeves reveals that the bus started “Actually hitting cars“As it barreled down the street, eliciting a strong response from the passengers on-board:
– But don’t you remember that day on the bass? When we are crashing through all the cars on the street? I remember that we were a little under-informed. We all got on the bus and then we were driving down through San Diego or something. We were set by the ocean, and suddenly, we actually hit cars. Boom! Boom! Everyone on their bus lost their minds. People were screaming.”
Bullock didn’t drive on-camera in the film (although she did get her bus driver’s license), but she recalls the actual driver on the roof carrying the vehicle in various ways as it went down the street:
“The fun part was that I was at the wheel of the bus, but in the back, there was someone driving along the roof. Someone was driving, and I was worried about whatever [director] Jan [de Bont] I felt I needed to break in. But never, never [was I actually driving]. I got my Santa Monica bus driver’s license. I have! It is not an easy vehicle to maneuver. “
What Speed’s action sequences mean for the movie’s legacy
The film remains a Reeves action classic
Up there with The matrix And these John Wick franchise, Speed remains one of Reeves’ most iconic action movies. The premise of the film is easy to grasp in one sentence, and the action was exciting. Reviews for Speed were overwhelmingly positive at the time of the film’s release, and it currently has an impressive score of 95% Rotten tomatoes. Made on an estimated budget of $30 million, the film was also a box office hit, grossing $350 million worldwide.
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Filmed before CGI became more common in action films, Speeds action sequences are largely accomplished practically. 11 buses were used in total during filming, speaking to just how much damage vehicles took during filming. Plus, both Reeves and Bullock weren’t fully prepared for that Speeds action sequences would look like evidently resulted in some strong reaction shots. The panic and tension in the bus feels realAnd it is now clear that this is because there could not have been clear communication about where the bus would go and what it would hit.
Our take on Speed’s action sequences
Why they still work so well 30 years later
The sense of chaos that Reeves describes made its way to the screen Speed. Although, for safety, A movie today would probably present such scenes more clearly for actorsIt evidently all worked for the 1994 action classic. The action sequences in the film wouldn’t be nearly as captivating, however, if it weren’t for Reeves and Bullock and their on-screen chemistry. Action may be the main draw of SpeedBut it’s the human element that anchors it and makes characters like Jack and Annie worth rooting for.
Source: Indiewire