🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Jan de Bont
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Crime, Romance, Thriller
- Release year: 1997
- Runtime (length): 2h 1min
- IMDb rating: 4.0/10 (88K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 4% (Rotten)
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A boat goes zoom because a disgruntled employee used his computer skills to turn off the brakes, and Sandra Bullock must again deal with a vehicle that won’t stop, this time with a new boyfriend who might be even more of a danger addict than the last one.
🍿 Speed 2: Cruise Control: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Premise and Annie’s New Relationship
Annie Porter (Sandra Bullock) is now dating Alex Shaw (Jason Patric), a SWAT team officer who initially hides his dangerous job from her, fearing she’d leave him like she did her previous cop boyfriend. Alex surprises Annie with a Caribbean cruise on the Seabourn Legend, hoping to propose.

The Villain: John Geiger
Onboard the cruise ship is John Geiger (Willem Dafoe), a disgruntled computer expert who designed the ship’s automation system. Having been fired by the cruise line and suffering from copper poisoning due to his work, Geiger plans revenge.

Geiger’s Takeover and the Ship’s Peril
Geiger disables the ship’s communications and takes control of its systems, setting it on a collision course with an oil tanker near Saint Martin. He steals jewelry from the ship’s vault while passengers evacuate, but many remain trapped.

Desperate Attempts to Save the Ship
Alex and Annie, along with the ship’s first officer Juliano, attempt to regain control of the ship. Alex tries to slow the ship by jamming the propeller, while Annie helps trapped passengers, including a deaf girl named Drew.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Annie (Sandra Bullock): Annie, a somewhat accident-prone woman, finds herself in another high-stakes situation while on a cruise with her boyfriend.
- Officer Alex Shaw (Jason Patric): Alex, a thrill-seeking SWAT officer, attempts to protect Annie and the other passengers from a vengeful hacker.
- John Geiger (Willem Dafoe): Geiger, a disgruntled computer expert, seeks revenge by hijacking a cruise ship he designed.
- Juliano (Temuera Morrison): Juliano, the ship’s first officer, aids Alex in his efforts to regain control of the ship.
- Merced (Brian McCardie): Merced, the navigator, carries out orders to try and slow down the ship.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Annie Porter: “Jack, he was never the romantic type. For our anniversary he gives me pepper spray. PEPPER SPRAY. I think it’s perfume. I end up in the emergency room.” – Annie complains about her previous relationship, highlighting the contrast with her current boyfriend, Alex.
- John Geiger: “That’s what really infuriates me, you don’t even know what I’m talking about!” – Geiger expresses his frustration and feelings of being disregarded, revealing a deep-seated anger.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $160,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $48,608,066
- Worldwide Gross: $164,508,066
💥 Speed 2: Cruise Control Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, let’s be honest, ‘Speed 2’ isn’t a masterpiece, but I found myself enjoying it for what it is: pure, cheesy action. The plot is ridiculous, but Willem Dafoe hams it up brilliantly as the villain. I can’t help but smile at the over-the-top stunts and the sheer absurdity of a cruise ship careening out of control, crashing into the marina. It’s a fun, guilty pleasure movie. Sandra Bullock still rocks!
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of Sandra Bullock”
- “Viewers interested in 90s action movies”
- “Those seeking light-hearted disaster movies”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Violence and peril”
- “Brief strong language”
- “Some scenes of destruction”
Professional Reviews
- Roger Ebert: “Speed 2′ replaces wit and ingenuity with predictable action sequences. Dafoe’s villain is cartoonish, and the slow-motion crash feels like a bad dream. There is no connection between the 2 main characters
- Variety: “Even star Sandra Bullock seems less engaged in the action this time around. The ship’s predicament is laughable. The end result lacks the original’s energy and excitement, making it a disappointing sequel.
Audience Reactions
Some viewers appreciated the over-the-top action and found it entertaining in a ‘turn-your-brain-off’ kind of way.: A minority found the movie enjoyable due to its ridiculous action, Willem Dafoe’s performance, and nostalgic value.
Overall Consensus: Generally considered a major disappointment, lacking the thrills, wit, and chemistry of the original ‘Speed’. It’s often cited as one of the worst action sequels ever made, with criticism aimed at the plot, performances, and pacing.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Keanu Reeves was offered $12 million to reprise his role as Jack Traven, but he declined because he didn’t like the script and wanted to tour with his band, Dogstar.”
- “Sandra Bullock agreed to star in ‘Speed 2’ as part of a deal to get her smaller film, ‘Hope Floats’, financed by 20th Century Fox.”
- “The climactic crash scene, where the cruise ship plows into the island of Saint Martin, cost $25 million to film, which was almost the entire budget of the original ‘Speed’.”
🖥️ How to Watch Speed 2: Cruise Control?
As of October 2024, ‘Speed 2: Cruise Control’ is available for rent or purchase on various platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for television availability. While not typically part of subscription streaming services, keep an eye out for special promotions or limited-time offerings on platforms like Hulu or Paramount+.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Speed 2: Cruise Control, you might like these similar films:
- Speed (1994): The original film that shares the same characters and action-thriller premise, but with a bus instead of a cruise ship.
- Die Hard 2 (1990): Another action film set in a confined space with a ticking clock, this time an airport.
- Poseidon (2006): A more modern take on a disaster at sea, focusing on a capsized cruise ship and the struggle for survival.
- Under Siege (1992): Features a similar plot of terrorists taking over a ship, with one man standing in their way.
🛒 Speed 2: Cruise Control Related Products
- Speed / Speed 2 Movie Double Feature [Blu-ray]: Get both movies for a compare and contrast cinematic experience. Speed features Keanu Reeves and Dennis Hopper and the sequel features Jason Patric and Willem Dafoe.
- Cruise Ship Toy Playset: An imaginative playset to recreate scenes from the movie.
- Computer Hacking for Beginners: Learn How to Hack: Learn how to hack your own systems and defend against hackers.
- Sandra Bullock Movie Collection (DVD): Features some of Sandra Bullock’s greatest hits.
🎧 Soundtrack
Speed 2: Cruise Control features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Keanu Reeves declined to reprise his role as Jack Traven due to script concerns and a desire to explore other types of films after ‘Chain Reaction’. His absence is explained in the movie by mentioning that Annie broke up with Jack because their relationship, built on extreme circumstances, didn’t work out.
Willem Dafoe plays John Geiger, a disgruntled former employee who designed the ship’s computer systems. He seeks revenge against the cruise line for firing him after he developed copper poisoning due to exposure from the ship’s computer systems, as well as stealing diamonds for monetary gain.
The climactic scene where the cruise ship crashes into the island of Saint Martin reportedly cost $25 million, a significant portion of the movie’s $160 million budget.
🔥 Bonus Content
What’s WRONG with Speed 2???
Curious about what went wrong with ‘Speed 2’? This video dives into the movie’s flaws, offering a critical perspective that might change your view of the film. It’s a fun and insightful watch for fans and critics alike.
Bill Burr | Speed 2
Want to hear a comedian’s hilarious take on ‘Speed 2’? Bill Burr has some funny and insightful thoughts on the movie that will make you laugh out loud. Check out this clip for a different perspective on the film.
Why Keanu Reeves Turned Down Speed 2
Did you know Keanu Reeves turned down ‘Speed 2’? This video explains why, giving you a glimpse into the actor’s decision-making process. It’s a short but fascinating watch for fans of the franchise and Reeves himself.
Cruise Ship Captain Breaks Down 8 Cruise Disasters In Movies And TV
Ever wondered how realistic the cruise ship disaster in ‘Speed 2’ was? This video features a cruise ship captain who analyzes the movie’s events, offering a fascinating and informative perspective. It’s a must-watch for anyone interested in the film or maritime disasters.
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