Speed 2: Cruise Control

Jun 15, 2023
Movie2 min read
Speed 2: Cruise Control poster

Director

Jan de Bont
Jan de Bont

Top Cast

Sandra Bullock
Sandra Bullock
Annie
Jason Patric
Jason Patric
Alex
Willem Dafoe
Willem Dafoe
Geiger
Temuera Morrison
Temuera Morrison
Juliano
Brian McCardie
Brian McCardie
Merced
Glenn Plummer
Glenn Plummer
Maurice
Colleen Camp
Colleen Camp
Debbie
Lois Chiles
Lois Chiles
Celeste
Mike Hagerty
Mike Hagerty
Harvey
Bo Svenson
Bo Svenson
Captain Pollard
Francis Guinan
Francis Guinan
Rupert
Jeremy Hotz
Jeremy Hotz
Ashton
Christine Firkins
Christine Firkins
Drew
Tamia
Tamia
Sheri Silver
Sandra Bullock
Sandra Bullock
Annie
Jason Patric
Jason Patric
Alex
Willem Dafoe
Willem Dafoe
Geiger
Temuera Morrison
Temuera Morrison
Juliano
Brian McCardie
Brian McCardie
Merced
Glenn Plummer
Glenn Plummer
Maurice
Colleen Camp
Colleen Camp
Debbie
Lois Chiles
Lois Chiles
Celeste
Mike Hagerty
Mike Hagerty
Harvey
Bo Svenson
Bo Svenson
Captain Pollard
Francis Guinan
Francis Guinan
Rupert
Jeremy Hotz
Jeremy Hotz
Ashton
Christine Firkins
Christine Firkins
Drew
Tamia
Tamia
Sheri Silver

Speed 2: Cruise Control trades the breakneck tension of its predecessor for a slow, waterlogged disaster.

What Stands Out

Direction & Cinematography

The ocean liner setting is ambitious, but the action is clumsy and lacks urgency.

Performances & Casting

Sandra Bullock is game, but Jason Patric is no Keanu. Willem Dafoe is wasted as a cartoonish villain.

Score & Sound Design

Score is forgettable; sound design is decent but unremarkable.

Visual Effects & Production Design

The cruise ship stunts are big but feel fake. CGI has not aged well.

Areas for Improvement

Pacing & Editing

Glacial pace. Way too long, and the tension is missing.

Story & Script

Plot is laughable. The dialogue is awkward and repetitive.

Character Development

None. You root for Sandra Bullock just because she’s Sandra Bullock.

Themes & Message

Tries for romance and danger but delivers neither.

Key Themes Explored

  • Disaster: But not in the good way.
  • Romance: But you don’t buy it.
  • Technology Gone Wrong: But it’s contrived.

Final Verdict

Skip this cruise. A lesson in how not to do an action sequel.

My Score: ★½☆☆☆ out of 5