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Speed 2 - Cruise Control

Speed 2 - Cruise Control

List Price: $19.98
Your Price: $17.98
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Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Entertaining (yet expandable) Parody.
Review: You will be able to enjoy this movie only if you refer to it as a sheer parody, which is exactly what it is. The producers of the film had been realistic, they'd known they couldn't repeat the phenomenal success of its predecessor, which was a unique achievement. So, what could they do? Create a much lighter movie that would laugh at all the 'edge-of-your-seat' tension the first one generated ( check out my Speed-1 review, which is much shorter, by the way). They succeeded in some points. Remember that Reeves had drown himself away from the production, thus allowing the creators to stress the humorous aspect (which Keanu lacks completely) of the plot.

Okay, what materials do we have? No Reeves, One wildcat Bullock, new clownish Patric, distinguished Willem Dafoe, the necessary new Latin and black figures and one astounding boat. How do we mix these ingredients into a supposed to be blockbuster?

First of all, we shall introduce the 'new Reeves', and show the audience that he's much dumber (a.k.a. bolder) than his predecessor - getting himself willfully to a life threatening chase after a van loaded with stolen computers (?). Then, we have to get reacquainted with long time no seen hyperactive Annie, who is more hilarious than ever. We would want to fix them an awkward affair no one would buy, and get them into a new speedy adventure, this time on the sea.

Now, on the boat we meet the Ace of the movie - Willem Dafoe - that made a complete joke out of this flick. He is really great portraying the comic-book villain, who constantly has to explain and prove he's there to revenge his former employees, and make a lot of money while at it. He looks like a spoiled kid playing 'who can catch me?' in a floating version of Disneyland ,making all kind of unrealistic tricks and stunts with his all mighty portable computer he carries everywhere.

You can look at him in one of two (or both) ways : a) a fallen actor that once was great in important films like "Platoon", now coming to the end of the road, b) a talented actor that decided to take it easy this time and just to enjoy characterizing the ultimate greedy-self-centered-not-very-smart bad guy. I prefer the second option because it's clear he's outdone the rest of the crew in performance, comic abilities and foolishness (someone tell me why did he take Annie as a hostage?).

I made it to the finale, and let me be honest, I just couldn't stop laughing! It was so absurd you won't believe. I won't disclose much if I'd say that De-Bont managed to kill two birds in one stone: bombastic beach encounter and an oil tanker rendezvous a few minutes later - could you ask for more?

Final word, see it if only to witness how De-Bont orchestrated a major farce of all the seagoing disaster films he could think of, and if only to ask yourself in the last shot - 'You've got to be kiddin' me, did he really do that?'

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Speed 2: This "Cruise" Is Not In Firm "Control"
Review: I saw "Speed 2: Cruise Control" because I deeply enjoyed the original "Speed" movie with Keanu Reeves. "S2:CC" is an instantly forgettable follow-up to an entertaining thriller.

Dying computer ace and extortionist Willem Dafoe electronically takes control of an ocean liner's navigational instruments. Sandra Bullock, heroine of the original "Speed," is one of the ship's passengers and quickly works to save the day.

"S2:CC" is an inferior sequel. The film has virtually none of the heartpounding suspense and excitement of the original film. Bullock does her best with the lackluster script.

Willem Dafoe is the only factor that comes close to being a saving grace in this film. Dafoe is probably present day cinema's third greatest villain after Christopher Walken and John Malkovich. With his wild eyes and reptilian features, Dafoe exudes a creepy and menacing presence. Dafoe's villain is actually somewhat more interesting than Bullock's heroine.

"S2:CC" is a disappointment. The film is only for big fans of Sandra Bullock and Willem Dafoe.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Not as bad as everybody says ...
Review: I have no clue what everybody's looking at, but it surely isn't Speed 2. This movie had everything - action, fun, humor, effects, tempo and of course, Sandra Bullock! Everybody else is comparing this movie to Speed and that's where their problem lays. Speed as a movie is incomparable, 'cause it was new, fresh and nobody expected such a good script. Now, a sequel comes along that is a perfectly NORMAL action movie in all aspects and just because everybody is expecting another masterpiece like Speed, everybody says it ... ... Yes, it's not as good as the first one and it doesn't have Keanu Reeves in it, but still it's a good action flick, a no-brainer.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: this is exactly what is wrong with hollywood today!!
Review: As a fan of the original, I have to say this is the WORST seqeul ever. This is a prime example of hollywood's ... promotion and marketing of a highly succussful film, 20th century Fox should have known better, No wonder Keanu Reeves passed, if you can't make a good seqeul, don't make one at all!! Sandra Bullock looks bored, you will be bored!!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Much maligned, and yet a Great Summer Action film
Review: In a summer (1997) which presented one disappointing film after another, Speed2 had the misfortune to be lumped together with all the other bad films. Yet, upon closer examination, this film presents action, humor, likeable characters, non-stop action and beautiful surroundings. It is hard to understand why this received so many negative reviews. Perhaps because it is the sequel to a highly successful and good action movie and thus could not help but not live up to the hype.

Sandra Bullock is her naturally engaging self, and Jason Patric can't help but look like an Oscar winner compared to the excruciatingly wooden acting that Keanu Reeves had in the first film.

There is more character development here than the first film as the two main characters dance around asking one another to get married. Once the action begins, we are presented with a logical sequence of events as the heros try to use their brains to come up with different ways to slow down an out-of-control ship. There is a satisfying lack of too much gun play and enough originality in this movie to satisfy any action fan.

An unstoppable cruise ship may not provide the kinetic energy that the out of control bus had in the original Speed, but the pacing along with the fast editing helps make up for it. By the time the ship stops, you can't help but let out a "phew" along with the characters on screen.

Ignore the bad reviews, slip this film into your DVD player, and sit back and watch this thoroughly enjoyable movie.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Much maligned, and yet a Great Summer Action film
Review: In a summer (1997) which presented one disappointing film after another, Speed2 had the misfortune to be lumped together with all the other bad films. Yet, upon closer examination, this film presents, humor, likeable characters, non-stop action and beautiful surroundings. It is hard to understand why this received so many negative reviews. Perhaps because it is the sequel to a highly successful and good action movie and thus could not live up to the hype.

Sandra Bullock is her naturally engaging self, and Jason Patric can't help but look like an Oscar winner compared to the excruciatingly wooden acting that Keanu Reeves had in the first (and, let's face it, most of his other) film(s).

There is more character development here than the first film as the two main characters dance around asking one another to get married. Once the action begins, we are presented with a logical sequence of events as the heros try to use their brains to come up with different ways to slow down an out-of-control ship. There is a satisfying lack of too much gun play and enough originality in this movie to satisfy any action fan.

An unstoppable cruise ship may not provide the kinetic energy that the out of control bus had in the original Speed, but the pacing along with the fast editing helps make up for it. By the time the ship stops, you can't help but let out a "phew" along with the characters on screen.

There are some plot points that are best overlooked but none that are as "dumb" as some other reviewers claim. Why people should be so critical of the plot when the original Speed film had plenty of holes in it, is beyond me. Whether we like it or not, most action films' plots require at least some suspension of disbelief. A curious side effect of this is that we ignore weak plot points when we enjoy a film, and focus in on them when we do not like a movie. I believe that the strong affection that some have for the first film have blinded them in regard to this film, and have made them particularly critical of it. Perhaps they want a repeat of the first film, a mad bomber and the easily identifiable locale of riding on a bus. Perhaps they simply cannot identify with the extreme difficulty in stopping an out of control ship. Even under control, many large vessels have to start slowing down miles before they reach dock.

Maybe people just preffered the automaton, indestructible robot that Keanu Reeves' character represented, as opposed to Jason Patric's all-too-human character.

Nevertheless, ignore the bad reviews, slip this film into your DVD player, and sit back and watch this thoroughly enjoyable movie.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: no
Review: Everyone, including myself, thought Keanu Reeves was a total moron for turning down this film. Then it was released, and a total flop, and badly received in every way. So Keanu Reeves turned out to be a lot smarter than he looks!! It seemed Jason Patric had won the lottery when he got this role. But it seemed to bury his career. His girl friend Christie Turlington and he broke up, and she ended up marrying another actor with a hotter career. I'd bet almost anything Turlington and he would have gotten married if this movie had been a hit and made him a big star.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: SPEED 2--A MOVIE OUT OF CONTROL
Review: Let me make some points: First of all, yes, this movie does have lots of action in it. There's even some humor scattered throughout. But apart from those two things, this movie is dreadful in every possible way. Everything is so cliche. The ugly, eccentric villian (he likes leeches). The stupid but beautiful female who is actually smarter in some ways than the villian in that at least she has her head screwed on straight. The buff, handsome hero who comes to the rescue and saves the day. Down-to-the-last-second suspense. Personally, I don't see how this was even made into a movie. The producers probably thought that the earlier movie's success would pull it through. The script and storyline in this movie are very bad. From the looks of things, people saw this movie for 3 reasons: 1--To see Sandra Bullock, whom they adore. 2--In hopes that Speed 2 will be as good as the first one. 3--They were desperate for an action flick. Pass on this movie, your time is better spent elsewhere.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: One of the most boring action films I've ever seen
Review: The films of Jan DeBont seem to go downhill with each one.First was Speed-an excellent nonstop thrillride of a movie(5 stars),then Twister-which was very exciting,with great special effects(4 stars),then comes one of the more boring action films I've ever seen-Speed 2:Cruise Control(2 stars),DeBont sort of leveled off with The Haunting(2 stars)-the best thing about that film was the absolutely gorgeous Catherine Zeta-Jones.But anyway,back to Speed 2.It wasn't an awful movie,just incredibly boring as far as action films go.Sandra Bullock looks good as usual,but her chemistry with Jason Patric wasn't there,like with Keanu Reeves in the first Speed.Jason Patric is a pretty good actor,but his performance here was a little too laid back.The plot wasn't all that great either,and I didn't care much for Willem Dafoe as the film's villain.Some of the action wasn't too bad,I guess,but some of it was really annoying,such as when the cruise ship crashed it just seemed to go on way too long.Overall,this isn't the worst movie I've ever seen,but nowhere near the best,either.Sandra Bullock is the main reason I give it 2 stars and not lower.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: The only good thing about this movie is...
Review: Tim Conway has a small part at the begining of the film. He's funny and he can always make me smile. That's about it.


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