Speed 2: Cruise Control

About Speed 2: Cruise Control

"Speed 2: Cruise Control" is an American action thriller film directed by Jan de Bont, released in 1997. This is a sequel to 'Speed' (1994) and follows a story where a computer hacker takes control over a cruise ship and plans to crash it into an oil tanker. A couple on vacation - officer Alex Shaw and his girlfriend Annie, step up to stop the hacker and avert the disaster.

Making / Production

Co-produced by Blue Tulip Productions and Zanuck Company, the film's production spanned several months and involved a mix of indoor sets and location shooting in the Caribbean Sea. The director, Jan de Bont, was particularly known for delivering cinema magic with high-end action sequences and challenging logistics, and with Speed 2, the bar was set even higher with a major part of the movie shot on a moving cruise ship.

Actors

• Sandra Bullock as Annie Porter: Academy Award-winning actress, Sandra Bullock reprised her role as Annie Porter in this sequel. She played the character with vulnerability and grit, turning Annie from a passenger to a heroine.
• Jason Patric as Officer Alex Shaw: Jason Patric filled in Keanu Reeves' shoes as Officer Alex Shaw, showing versatility and tenacity as a law enforcement officer thrown into an extraordinary situation on vacation.
• Willem Dafoe as John Geiger: Multi-talented actor, Willem Dafoe portrayed the disturbed hacker John Geiger with an unnerving performance.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The scene with the ship crashing into the island was, at the time, the most expensive stunt ever filmed.
• The original script was intended to be for another movie entirely, but was adapted to fit the Speed franchise.
• Keanu Reeves passed on the sequel to tour with his band.

Awards

Despite being a box office success, the film did not receive major awards. However, it was nominated for several "Razzie" Awards, including Worst Actress for Sandra Bullock, which she "won".

Quotes

• “I am never going on vacation with you again, period!” - Annie Porter
• “You're gonna get yourself killed. Is that what you want? Is it?” - Alex Shaw

Music, Soundtrack

• The film’s score was composed by Mark Mancina, who created an exhilarating mix of fast-paced action themes.
• Tamia recorded the film's end-credit song, "Make Tonight Beautiful".