What Could Have Been... "Ticker"

That. Was. Awesome.

That was also sarcasm, in case you are using an old browser to read this post... ;)

The Story:

Detective Ray Nettles (Tom Sizemore) is investigating some domestic terrorist activity led by Alex Swan (Dennis Hopper).  Swan kills his partner, but Nettles nabs the female accomplice (Jaime Pressly).  Nettles turns to the head of the San Francisco Bomb Squad (Steven Seagal) for assistance as they attempt to take Swan down before he can kill again!

Sound riveting?

Yeah, I thought not.

But you never know what  you're going to get when you queue up a Steven Seagal movie.

I mean, do you remember when Seagal and Sizemore were at the top of their game, commanding the big screen with their presence?

Yeah, me neither.  But apparently 2001 was definitely not the year.  Looks like '96 was the swan song for Seagal.

This movie has budget written all over it.  Low budget at that.

The dialogue is stiff and wooden, the direction is movie of the week, heck, maybe not even that good.

The special effects are laughable.

Dennis Hopper attempts to channel his scenery chewing turn as a mad bomber in Speed by donning a ridiculous accent and collecting a paycheck.

Hey, how can you begrudge someone from making a living?

I'll be kind...

Final Grade: C-

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: It's not an unwatchable mess, just some good actors who cannot rise out of the material they are given.

100 Greatest Movies of All Time...That I Own. # 58 ~ Speed

It's Die Hard...on a bus!

Convince me that wasn't the pitch for this movie, and I'll take it off the list.

Until then, welcome to today's installment, Speed.

The premise is quite simple.  There's a bomb on a bus.  If the bus drops below a certain speed...

Kaboom!

Keanu Reeves plays the cop who's going to save the day.  Meanwhile, his partner, Jeff Daniels, is frantically trying to stop the madman who is attempting to kill them.

The madman in question?  Dennis Hopper. 

The movie pretty much grabs you and doesn't let go.  It's one action scene after another, with just enough quiet time to let you get your breath back before the next spectacular stunt.

It was a great directorial debut for Jan de Bont, who followed it up with Twister...and then his career has relatively flatlined.

However, it did make a star out of Sandra Bullock, who is spunky and adorable, and has been a star ever since.

It's an entertaining thrill-ride that seems impossible and implausible all at the same time. 

Plus, you get your proof that Keanu isn't as dumb as he seems as an actor.

After all, he was the one that DIDN'T come back to do Speed 2.

: )