The year of 1994is one that often comes up when discussing the greatest years for film.

These are 10 essential factors that makeSpeedhold up as an action masterwork.

It explores themes of heroism and resilience under pressure, delivering relentless excitement and tension.

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Image by Federico Napoli

In fact, it’s divided intothree distinct acts aboard three moving vehicles.

Acts two and three happen within the same day, too.

Flash-forward a bit, and Howard’s back and angrier than ever.

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A high-octane thriller featuring Jack Traven, a Los Angeles police officer who must deal with a terrifying hostage situation on a city bus. The bus is wired to explode if it drops below 50 mph, forcing Jack to work with the passengers, including the resourceful Annie Porter, to keep the vehicle moving and avoid disaster. The film is a gripping blend of action and suspense, with Jack and Annie facing numerous obstacles and the cunning schemes of the bomber, Howard Payne. It explores themes of heroism and resilience under pressure, delivering relentless excitement and tension.

Reeves is lithe, gorgeous, clever, personable, cool-headed but liable to pop off at any moment.

Well, he used to be a cop; nowhe’s running entirely on resentment and ill will.

The supporting players here includeAlan Ruckas Doug andCarlos Carrascoas Ortiz.

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He blows her up with a smaller explosive rigged to the front door.

She’s been relegated to public transport due to… wait for it… speeding.

Along with Willem Dafoe, Bullock is one of the few who emerged from the utterly disastrousSpeedsequel unscathed.

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Her star wouldcontinue to climbthrough the ’90s and aughts, culminating in an Oscar win for 2009’sThe Blind Side.

Frankly, she’s been atop the A list ever sinceSpeed.

It’sa wildly romantic and subversive endingto a movie that’s best-known within the zeitgeist for blowing things up.

Jeff Daniels and Keanu Reeves surrounded by fellow cops in ‘Speed’

Image via 20th Century Fox

It sucks, but thematically and in the name of good screenwriting it had to happen.

No one is safe, you see.

Yep, that’s this movie.

Keanu Reeves as Jack on a bus, pointing a gun at a target offscreen, in Speed

Image via 20th Century Studios

So, of course a picture this fast-paced needs comedic relief.

If only the same could be

Speedis technically wall-to-wall violence, but never sadistic or gross.

The tone is impeccably maintained.

Dennis Hopper holds Sandra Bullock hostage on a subway in ‘Speed’

Image via 20th Century Fox

This is popcorn entertainment, though and through, with the sole intention of entertaining you.

Frankly,ifeverthere were an R-rated action movie you could take grandma to, this is the one.

In fact, act two ends with one of the biggest explosions in film history.

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Image via 20th Century Studios

It’s about as dazzling as this kind of thing can be, worth the price of admission.

But the movie around the pyrotechnics is so much better than it needed to be.

It’s the kind of experience that drove people to movie theaters in the first place.

Sandra Bullock as Annie smiling softly in ‘Speed’

Image via 20th Century Fox

NEXT:Action Movies That Are Perfect From Start to Finish

Keanu Reeves as Jack and Sandra Bullock as Annie on the ground staring at each other in ‘Speed’

Image via 20th Century Fox

Keanu Reeves and Jeff Daniels dressed up in police gear in ‘Speed’

Image via 20th Century Fox

Keanu Reeves as Jack looking at Sandra Bullock as Annie on a bus in ‘Speed’

Image via 20th Century Studios

The bus jump across the freeway in ‘Speed’

Image via 20th Century Studios

A bus crashes into a parked airplane and explodes in ‘Speed’

Image via 20th Century Fox

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Speed