--- title: "Speed: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/speed/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/speed" critics_score: 74 critics_reviews: 6 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Speed (1994): what the critics said Critics' score 74 from 6 reviews: 5 positive, 0 mixed, 1 negative. Most critics find Speed a tightly controlled action thriller whose improbable premise sustains considerable tension. Praise centres on the direction, inventive set pieces and a script that keeps the action moving without weighing it down with elaborate plotting. The leads also draw considerable approval, with several reviews crediting their performances and charisma for making the danger engaging rather than merely a succession of stunts. The spread is wide, though the reservations mostly concern credibility, dialogue and characterisation. Empire finds Keanu Reeves wooden but argues that the action and wit make the film work; Time Out admires the momentum while judging that it eventually overreaches. The Independent is the clearest dissenter, finding the film slow and short of humanity despite admiring some stunts and the leads. What most critics welcome as narrative economy becomes, in that account, a shortage of reasons to care. ## Radio Times — Barry Norman Rating ★★★★★. Praises it as Keanu Reeves’s best film, highlighting the non-stop action, nail-biting tension and ingenious premise with strong performances from the leads. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movies/freeview-film-of-the-day-speed/) ## The AV Club — Tom Breihan Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 10 February 2017. The review deems Speed one of the best 1990s studio action movies for its relentless pace, absurd but gripping premise, and charismatic stars, while noting it avoids heavy plot baggage. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/keanu-reeves-boards-a-bus-that-can-t-slow-down-for-one-1798257725) ## Empire — Phil Thomas Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2000. Despite preposterous plot points, wooden acting from Keanu Reeves and a lack of sense in places, the taut direction, exciting action sequences and witty script make Speed work and a cut above the rest. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/speed-review/) ## Time Out — TCh Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 30 August 2012. The critic finds the film mindless but ingenious, praising the tight script, hand-held camera work and sense of momentum while noting it eventually overreaches. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/speed) ## The Independent Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 1 October 1994. The critic finds the simple premise exciting but the film slow and empty of humanity, with wooden acting and a lack of empathy for characters. Some stunt sequences and the performances of Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock are singled out for praise. [Read the review](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/cinema-a-premise-that-promises-too-much-in-keanu-reeves-the-action-genre-may-have-found-the-hero-it-has-been-holding-out-for-he-assumes-so-little-and-beguiles-so-many-1440358.html) ## The Hollywood Reporter — David Hunter 6 June 1994. The critic calls Speed a fast and furiously entertaining thriller that should draw big crowds, praising its smart script, tension-building direction, and strong performances from Reeves, Bullock, and Hopper. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/speed-review-1994-movie-1195783/) ## The New Yorker — Anthony Lane 6 June 1994. The critic calls it the movie of the year for its relentless pace, inventive direction, and refusal to slow for sentiment, delivering pure adrenaline and spectacle. It excels as disciplined, high-style action that cheers rather than annoys. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1994/06/13/faster-faster-3) ## The New York Times — Janet Maslin 10 June 1994. The critic finds the film a savvy summer action movie with wall-to-wall thrills and smart, breathless plotting that compensates for thin dialogue. It keeps the viewer engaged through nonstop momentum and inventive set pieces. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/1994/06/10/movies/review-film-an-express-bus-in-a-very-fast-lane.html) ## Eye for Film — James Benefield Rating 4/5. 6 June 2010. The critic calls it a heart-in-your-mouth experience thanks to its ingenious high-concept premise of a bomb on a bus that explodes if speed drops below 50 mph. They single out the strong character work, pacing and sustained tension over two hours. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/speed-film-review-by-james-benefield) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/speed.md