Speed kills

Ron Philips/Photo Courtesy Twentieth Century Fox In the aftermath of a massive boat collision, Alex, played by Jason Patric, is hurtled across the ship's bow in "Speed 2: Cruise Control."

In the entertainment world, a second project often suffers from "the sophomore slump."

But director Jan De Bont is suffering from a junior slump with the new event picture "Speed 2," unfortunately subtitled "Cruise Control."

In his first two movies, "Speed" and "Twister," De Bont made audiences grab their seats and thrilled them with one catastrophe after another. He set up those scenes with such grace and style that he left those audiences breathless and wanting more.

"Speed 2" is an exception.

The public and critics have talked about and questioned Keanu Reeves' decision not to star in this sequel to the thrilling original "Speed." He should now earn respect from those groups for his choice.

Some have said he wanted to tour with his band Dogstar.

Maybe.

But, it could have been that the idea and script were so preposterous that he did not want to be involved.

Problems abound in this film. One being that a gigantic cruise ship is not as exciting, quick moving or claustrophobic as a city bus. Furthermore, most of us have been on a bus and can identify with those passengers. But how many can relate with the cruis e ship's passengers?

Most of the movie takes place on the boat, from the passengers' rooms to the deck, to the bowels of the ship. All this time inside the ship seems to be setting audiences up for the winter release of "Titanic."

The other problem is the characters.

Annie and Alex, portrayed by the wimpy Sandra Bullock and the buffed Jason Patric, are supposed to be hopelessly devoted to each other, but the chemistry is nowhere to be found.

The supporting characters are sad, tired cliches, like the table of fat people, honeymooners and a deaf little girl.

The only character not-too-cliche is Willem Dafoe's computer software genius Gieger. He wants to destroy the boat only to get back at the computer company that designed the boat's software - for exposing him to copper poisoning. Dafoe seems to have fun wi th his role, playing both crazy and campy.

Instead of taking the overused action scenes to a new level, as in the original, De Bont takes "Speed 2" on the same tired route other action movies have traveled.

In the opening scene, we see daredevil LAPD cop Alex chasing a van full of stolen computers. Apparently, Patric almost lost his life during the filming of this scene because of the intense speed of his motorcycle. On the screen though, it looks as if he's going for a ride in the country.

The crash of the ship and the island of St. Martin are kind of exciting, but nothing like the chair-gripping stimulation of a bus jumping a gap in an undone freeway.

As a result of the lack of originality, this installment doesn't have anything resembling the forward momentum and kick of the original.

Don't waste your hard-earned money and free time. Wait for the video.