The ever-charismatic John Travolta has had a film career with highs and lows, and the latter part of his career has seen some particularly perplexing choices. The year 2018 was especially indicative of this phase. One of the movies from this year, “Speed Kills,” is a depiction of a real-life story adapted from a biography about speedboat racing champion Donald Aronow, here renamed Ben Aronoff for the film.
Travolta, in a promotional tactic for these later films, often introduces his characters himself in trailers. For instance, in the trailer for “The Poison Rose,” he starts off by saying, “My name is Carson Phillips, I’m a Hollywood PI. I like to drink, smoke, and gamble.” Similarly, for “Speed Kills,” he proclaims, “My name is Ben Aronoff. I’m a self-made millionaire and an offshore boating champion…” But despite what sounds like a thrilling premise, “Speed Kills” did not fare well on Rotten Tomatoes, with all 17 reviews being negative. One particularly scathing review from Variety concluded with: “What’s not to like? Well, everything.”
Compounding the poor reception, a review from Powerboat Magazine warned enthusiasts to “Prepare for Disappointment,” indicating that even niche audiences, presumably keen on the film’s speedboat content, found it lacking.
FAQ Section
What are some poorly received John Travolta movies?
The poorly received John Travolta movie highlighted is “Speed Kills,” with all 17 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes being negative.
What is the plot of “Speed Kills”?
“Speed Kills” follows the story of Ben Aronoff, a self-made millionaire, offshore boating champion, and speedboat racer involved in drug trafficking.
How did powerboat enthusiasts react to “Speed Kills”?
Even powerboat enthusiasts were disappointed with the film, as indicated by a review in Powerboat Magazine advising readers to “Prepare for Disappointment.”
Conclusion
The legacy of John Travolta’s filmography is far from singular, ranging from iconic standout performances to unfortunate misfires that critics did not spare from censure. “Speed Kills,” based on the thrilling real-life exploits of a speedboating champion dabbling in the criminal underworld, still failed to make a splash with critics or niche fans, as Rotten Tomatoes and industry-specific publications would attest. While Travolta’s on-screen charisma is indisputable, it seems some of his project choices leave much to be desired, serving as a reminder that even the most magnetic of actors can sometimes be found steering through cinematic storms.