Speed
Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation | Release Date: June 10, 1994 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
78
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 17 Critic Reviews
Positive:
15
Mixed:
2
Negative:
0
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
100
Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert
We've seen this done before, but seldom so well, or at such a high pitch of energy. Read full review
100
Entertainment WeeklyOwen Gleiberman
The film takes off from formula elements-it's yet another variation on "Die Hard"-but it manipulates those elements so skillfully, with such a canny mixture of delirium and restraint, that I walked out of the picture with the rare sensation that every gaudy thrill had been earned. Read full review
100
The New YorkerAnthony Lane
The result is clean, delirious, and, yes, speedy—the best big-vehicle-in-peril movie since Clouzot's "The Wages of Fear." Read full review
90
Los Angeles TimesKenneth Turan
De Bont and his team have turned in a visually sophisticated piece of mayhem that makes the implausible plausible and keeps the thrills coming. [10Jun1994 Pg. F1]
90
TimeRichard Schickel
The movie has two virtues essential to good pop thrillers. First, it plugs uncomplicatedly into lurking anxieties -- in this case the ones we brush aside when we daily surrender ourselves to mass transit in a world where the loonies are everywhere. Second, it is executed with panache and utter conviction. Read full review
88
ReelViewsJames Berardinelli
It's an ingenious premise that first-time director Jan De Bont has turned into a tremendously well-executed motion picture. Read full review
88
Rolling StonePeter Travers
If you're looking for action movie heaven, try Speed, a crackling blend of suspense and fun that gives you the rush of a runaway roller coaster. Read full review
88
TV Guide MagazineStaff(not credited)
Acclaimed cinematographer Jan De Bont's directing debut is a mindless, implausible, and thoroughly gripping adventure movie. Read full review
80
The New York TimesJanet Maslin
This film's dialogue isn't much more literate than a bus schedule, but its plotting is smart and breathless enough to make up for that. Read full review
80
EmpirePhilip Thomas
There are very few action movies that cut to the chase quite as quickly as Speed and then have the stamina to keep it up for nearly two hours. Read full review
80
VarietyTodd McCarthy
First-time helmer Jan De Bont, the ace lenser of most of Paul Verhoeven's films as well as "Die Hard" and numerous other large-scale pix, handles the action with great nimbleness and dexterity; film can hardly be faulted for its visual presentation of very complex action. Read full review
75
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Rick Groen
De Bont knows how to edit a pulse-pounding sequence, he knows how to keep the screen white-hot, and he sure knows how to blow things up real good. What he doesn't know is how to slow down - this premise is perfect for him. Read full review
70
Chicago ReaderJonathan Rosenbaum
The deft arabesques of cinematographer Andrzej Bartkowiak juice up the suspense, and if you're not too put off by the sheer ridiculousness of the story you won't be bored. Read full review
67
Austin ChronicleMarc Savlov
In a film like this, timing is everything, and everyone from the stunt coordinators to the crew-at-large seems to have gotten it right the first time. Read full review
63
USA TodayMike Clark
Crisp craftsmanship has fashioned a great day at the movies from the worst day of Ralph Kramden's life. [10 Jun 1994 Pg. 01.D]
50
Washington PostHal Hinson
Undeniably, the picture now and again supplies that edge-of-the-seat sensation; yet, by action-adventure standards, Speed is leaden and strangely poky. It never seems to shift into overdrive and let fly. Read full review
40
Washington PostDesson Thomson
The plot becomes so overextended, as Reeves and Hopper wage their endless public transportation battle, even the hardest Die-Harders will consider leaping off way before the final stop. Read full review
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