Speed is a 1994 American action thriller film directed by Jan de Bont in his feature directorial debut, and written by Graham Yost. The movie stars Keanu Reeves, Dennis Hopper, and Sandra Bullock in lead roles, with Joe Morton and Jeff Daniels in supporting roles.
The plot begins with LAPD SWAT bomb disposal officers Jack Traven (Keanu Reeves) and Harry Temple (Jeff Daniels) thwarting a bombing attempt on a city elevator by a vengeful extortionist, Howard Payne (Dennis Hopper). However, Payne survives and orchestrates a new deadly scheme: a bomb planted on a city bus that will detonate if the bus slows below 50 miles per hour (80 km/h). Jack receives the ultimatum from Payne—$3.7 million in ransom or the bomb will go off.
As the bus speeds through Los Angeles, Jack boards it and works to keep it moving while trying to defuse the bomb. A passenger, Annie Porter (Sandra Bullock), takes over driving after the original driver is shot. The film intercuts between Jack's efforts to save the passengers and Harry's attempts to identify Payne's identity. Despite Payne's constant surveillance, Jack navigates the bus through several dangerous obstacles, including a gap in the freeway, and directs it to Los Angeles International Airport to prevent traffic issues.
Meanwhile, Harry discovers Payne's identity as a former Atlanta Police Department bomb squad officer and leads a SWAT team to his home. However, most of the team, including Harry, is killed when Payne's house explodes. Jack then learns that Payne is monitoring the bus through a hidden camera. A clever ruse involving looping the surveillance footage allows the passengers to escape, and the empty bus explodes while crashing into an empty cargo plane.
After Payne realizes his plan's been foiled, he kidnaps Annie and demands the ransom. Jack chases Payne into the subway system, where Payne straps an explosive vest to Annie. However, Jack fights back, resulting in Payne's decapitation. Jack deactivates the vest, but the subway train cannot be stopped. Jack accelerates the train, causing it to derail and crash onto Hollywood Boulevard. Jack and Annie emerge unscathed and share a kiss as onlookers watch in amazement.
Speed received positive reviews from critics and grossed $350 million worldwide against a $30-37 million budget, becoming the fifth-highest-grossing film of 1994. It won Best Sound at the 67th Academy Awards and Best Sound and Best Editing at the 48th British Academy Film Awards. The film's success can be attributed to its inventive plot, high-stakes action sequences, and the chemistry between its lead actors.