SPEED 2: CRUISE CONTROL (1997)

MORGAN'S RATING

Hold on to your life-jacket as the rip-roaring sequel to Speed hits the high seas. Sandra Bullock returns as Annie Porter, a young woman expecting to enjoy a Caribbean vacation with her boyfriend on board the world's most luxurious cruise liner. But their trip to paradise turns deadly when a lunatic computer genius takes over the boat and sets it on a course for destruction. An explosive voyage helmed by daredevil director Jan De Bont, Speed 2: Cruise Control rides the wild waves at maximum velocity.

Sandra Bullock (Annie Porter), Jason Patric (Alex Shaw), Willem Dafoe (John Geiger), Temuera Morrison (Juliano), Brian McCardie (Merced), Christine Firkins (Drew), Michael G. Hagerty (Harvey), Colleen Camp (Debbie), Lois Chiles (Celeste), Francis Guinan (Rupert), Tamia (Sheri Silver), Jeremy Hotz (Ashton), Enrique Murciano (Alejandro), Jessica Diz (Isabel), Connie Ray (Fran Fisher), Patricka Darbo (Ruby Fisher), Kimmy Robertson (Liza), Charles Parks (Frank), Susan Barnes (Constance), Bo Svenson (Captain Pollard), Royale Watkins (Dante), Alex Montesino (Control Room Chief Engineer), Mark Adair-Rios (1st Engineer), Xavier Coronel, Tyler Patton, Craig A. Pinckes (Engine Room Crew Members), Glenn Plummer (Maurice), Allison Dean (Marifa), Michael Robinson, Joe D'Angerio (Muster Deck Officers), Joe Foster (Pool Officer), Richard Speight ('C' Deck Officer), Michael O'Hagan (Supertanker Captain), Christopher Wynne, Robert Herrick (Supertanker Officers), Ivory Broome (Supertanker Crew Member), Tim Conway (Mr. Kenter), Tommy J. Huff (Diaper Van Driver), Jay Lacopo (Real Estate Salesman), Alexander de Bont (Little Boy at Condo), Kathryn Rossetter (Mother), Mark Beltzman (Convertible Owner), Joe Morton (Mac, uncredited).

RUSH HOUR HITS THE WATER.

PRODUCTION INFORMATION

DIRECTOR: Jan De Bont (Speed). WRITERS: Jan De Bont, Randall McCormick and Jeff Nathanson. PRODUCER: Jan De Bont, Steve Perry and Michael Peyser. ASSOCIATE PRODUCER: Glenn Salloum. EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Mark Gordon. ORIGINAL MUSIC: Mark Mancina. DISTRIBUTOR: 20th Century Fox

FACTS

RELEASE DATE: June 13th, 1997 (USA) BOX OFFICE OPENING: $16.1 million (USA) BOX OFFICE RESULT: $48.6 million (USA) BUDGET: $110 million (USA) - The filmmakers chartered the Seabourn Legend for six weeks. Additional scenes were filmed using a false prow built onto the freighter Sturgeon Atlantic. - The oil tanker bears the name "Eindhoven", the Dutch hometown of director Jan De Bont. - At the end of the movie when the tanker explodes, what looks like a cow can be seen flying out with the rest of the debris from the tanker. This is a reference to the flying cow from Twister (1996). - Keanu Reeves turned down the movie to go on tour with his band Dogstar. - Maurice's boat name is "Tuneman", the same title on Glenn Plummer's licence plate in the original film. - A total of 3 different ships were used in this film: Seabourne Legend (actual cruise liner; used for most exterior shots of the ship) "Bridge Ship" (Sturgeon Atlantic frighter ship built with a false hull and bridge; used for bridge scenes and the boat crashes in the marina) "Rail Ship" (false hull built on an underwater rail; used for the island crash finale scene). All other shots of the ship were complete computer graphic effects. - The original script was intended to be the third film in the Die Hard series. - Winner of one 1998 Razzie Award for Worst Remake or Sequel. Nominated for seven more Razzies for Worst Actress (Sandra Bullock), Worst Supporting Actor (Willem Dafoe), Worst Director (Jan De Bont), Worst Original Song, Worst Picture, Worst Screen Couple and Worst Screenplay.

QUOTES

Annie: I've been in worse situations than this, and panic does not help, trust me!

Annie: 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: This night seems almost too perfect. Alex: Want me to step on your feet? Annie: You already did. Alex: Oh, I mean again?

Annie: I swear, I'm never leaving the house again.

Annie: Relationships based on extreme circumstances never work out.

Constance: The only way that patch is going to help me is if I roll it and smoke it.

Marifa: Bad luck to run ship over town. Maurice: No shit, bad luck! I just bought a condo here!

John Geiger: How do you like your vacation so far?

CRITICAL COMMENTS

"Two thumbs up!" -- Siskel & Ebert

"Hold your breath action!" -- Joel Siegel, Good Morning America

"Spectacular! It never stops moving, and man, it's fun!" -- L.A. Daily News

"Spectacular action scenes are drowned out by a truly brainless premise and some of the most annoying characters ever written." -- Morgan Muscat, The Action Kings