Speed (UHD Blu-ray) review

[David Vaughn]

Studio: 20^th Century Home Entertainment
Release Date: May 4, 2021
Rating: R
Film: 4/5
 
Plot
Hold on tight for a rush of pulse-pounding thrills, breathtaking stunts and unexpected romance in a film you’ll want to see again and again. Keanu Reeves stars as an L.A.P.D. SWAT team specialist who is sent to diffuse a bomb that a revenge-driven extortionist (Dennis Hopper) has planted on a city bus. But until he does, one of the passengers (Sandra Bullock) must keep the bus speeding through the streets of Los Angeles at more than 50 miles per hour – or the bomb will explode.
 
My Thoughts
There are some out there who think Speed is one of the greatest action movies ever made—I’m not one of those guys. While I find it enjoyable, I’d much rather watch Die Hard or host of other titles over this one for my adrenaline rush. That’s not to say that it doesn’t have its moments. In all honesty, I don’t think I’ve sat down to watch it from beginning to end since I saw it in theaters back in 1994 and while I enjoyed it then, I never got the itch to buy it on DVD or Blu-ray.
 
As far as action films go, it’s pretty good even though there are some issues with the way the story rolls out. My biggest gripe is the runtime—two hours is a bit much for the paper-thin plot—but I could think of far worse ways to spend a couple of hours. Reeves is the star of the show, but he’s outshined by Hopper as the villain and Bullock in her breakout role which made her a household name.
 
The upgrade to UHD is quite good and the studio has seen fit to go back and do an actual 4K scan of the negative and this shows in the finer details of the presentation. The HDR isn’t over-the-top, but a major explosion in the third act showcases what the technology brings to the table. Sadly, the audio is relegated to a DTS-HD MA 5.1 track, which is serviceable, but doesn’t bring anything new to the table compared to the Blu-ray.
 
Video 9/10
 
Audio 8.5/10 (DTS-HD MA 5.1)
 
Special Features:
 

• Audio Commentary by Jan de Bont
• Audio Commentary by Graham Yost and Mark Gordon
• Action Sequences
  
  • Bus Jump
  • Metrorail Crash
• Inside Speed
  
  • On Location
  • Stunts
  • Visual Effects
  • HBO First Look: The Making of Speed
• Extended Scenes
  
  • Jack Shoots Payne in the Neck
  • Payne Lives/Cops Party
  • Annie’s Job
  • After Helen’s Death
  • Ray’s Crime
  • Cargo Jet Explosion: The Airline Version
• Speed Music Video by Billy Idol
• 4K UHD + Blu-ray + Digital Copy

 
 

 
 
Conclusion
I debated between a 3.5 and 4 rating for this film and gave it the benefit of the doubt due to Hopper and Bullock. If you would have told me in the mid-90s that Reeves would still be acting today (and be a huge box office draw) I would have thought you were crazy. I’ve never been impressed with his acting, but I do admit he has done a very good job in the action genre. Furthermore, I hear he’s actually a pretty nice down to Earth guy in real life, which I personally appreciate (https://time.com/5558494/keanu-reeves-bus/). While it’s been many years since I’ve seen the movie, it was a blast to revisit and looks great in 4K. Recommended.
 
 
Reference Review System:
JVC DLA-RS2000 4K Ultra High-Definition Front Projector
(Calibrated with Portrait Displays CalMAN color calibration software & C6-HDR Meter from Portrait Displays)
Stewart Filmscreen - Firehawk 88” 16x9 Fixed Screen
Anthem AVM60 Audio/Video Processor
ATI AT527NC Powering Bed Channels
ATI AT524NC Powering Atmos Speakers
Panasonic DP-UB820 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player
System Controller: URC MX-980
M&K S-150 THX Ultra (R-C-L Speakers)
M&K SS-150 x4 (Surround Speakers)
Atlantic Technology IC6-OBA x 4 Overhead Speakers
SVS PC-Ultra Cylinder Subwoofer
HSU VTF-15H MK2 Subwoofer
SVS SB-3000 Subwoofer
JL Audio Dominion D110 Subwoofer x 2 (configured as tandem mid bass modules)
Mini DSP controlling all subwoofers
Audioquest and Monoprice - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
PureAV PF60 Power Conditioner

[bmoney]

Watched this last week. Thought it looked and sounded awesome!

[AVSCraig]

I don't remember this movie at all, but with the cast I plan on getting this. Fun to re-visit some of these films on 4K. Thanks David !

[AVSCraig]

Wow - Speed on 4k Blu-ray is already sold out on Amazon !

[David Vaughn]

Wow - Speed on 4k Blu-ray is already sold out on Amazon !

Must have been from my review

[bmoney]

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