Speed 2: Cruise Control (PG) A review by David Wilcock (C)1997 DAVID WILCOCK
Starring Jason Patric, Sandra Bullock and Willem Daefoe
Directed By Jan De Bont
A 20th Century Fox Picture
After the success of Speed (1994), the Keanu Reeves vehicle, at the box office, it was obvious that there wuold be a sequel. Set on a boat instead of a bus, it's about Patric and Bullock trying to foil a mad bomber played by Daefoe. Sadly, it is complete and utter rubbish. In fact, I was almost suprised by it. I didn't honestly reliase that action movies get much dumber, or boring than this. From the totally unnessacary car chase at the start, to the horrible, no thrills at all finale, it was just plain rubbish.
But WHY is it rubbish? Read on...
Firstly, I'll have to say it's the performances of the good guys, Patric and Bullock. The sad thing about Patric's performance is that he's taking the whole thing seriously. He is really trying to ACT through the whole movie, and it's just not possible to do. So, he just comes across as really dull, not a big, larger than life character who does everything in a jokey type of way (e.g Bruce Willis or Arnie) Bullock has no point in this film, except to say how she wish this wasn't happening, and trying to calm people down. The only person who knows this film is naff is Daefoe, who gives us a fantastically enjoyable performance as the mad man on the ship, and must have one of the best psycho laughs I have ever heard. Sadly though, he hardly has any screen time, but he really picks the film up when he does. The supporting characters do a good job at looking scared, but you don't feel anything for them, unlike the passengers in Speed. Another annoying element is the directing. De Bont seems to think that high action involves the camera jerking around all over the place. I've seen the camera stay still for longer in episodes of NYPD Blue. I don't remeber this being used in Speed or Twister (1996) or any of the films he did as Director of Photography. Perhaps he was just trying to make us sea sick, like the people on the boat. Anyway, instead of reinforcing the action, it just drowns it out. You're so busy trying to catch up with what's happening, you just don't enjoy it anymore. It may LOOK exciting, but you won't feel excitied.
Other things help the film go downhill. There's a pointless sub plot involving a little girl trapped in a lift. There's no element of danger in the film, like in Speed, where the bus had to stay over 50 m.p.h, even if that meant crashing through cars, or leaping over bridges. In Speed 2, there's not really much to crash through in the middle of the ocean, except at the end where the boat is heading straight for a town, but it can't slow down. Even this it gets wrong, with no idea on how to direct the boat crashing through. Thankfully, however, we've been spared the swearing of the original, so younger kids (which was Speed's major audience) can watch it. In fact, any child under 12 yrs will probably enjoy this the most. Overall, this film is a major disappointment. Speed was a hugely enjoyable film, with a good villian and hero, lots of suspense, danger and good supporting characters. Speed 2 has a good villian with too little screen time, and..that's it.
Even the music, usually so easy to do in action movies, is awful. There's hardly any comedy (very much needed in an action film) and hardly any danger or suspense. Give this film a miss.
Overall Rating=* 1/2 out of ***** (Just saved from * by Daefoe performance)
============================= DAVID WILCOCK david.wilcock@btinternet.com http://www.geocities.com/hollywood/9061
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