Female action heroes defined by a quality of 'musculinity', an enactment of a muscular masculinity involving a display of power and strength
Dyer notes that while Annie 'does get the thrills of extreme physical danger and the exultation of mastery of a machine', the film nonetheless 'conforms to the pattern of contemporary action films by constituting her as the helper.'
she is one of a range of supporting players, typically played by white women, 'but never quite as equals, never with quite the same access to the speed of worldly sensation
sole female protagonists remain quite rare, central male/female partnerships are increasingly common in action films.
it is almost inevitable that the male/female buddy pair will end up in an embrace, there is a romantic/flirtatious aspect to the partnership that evolves (defined as professional male and amateur female)
Speed- spends little time on emotion - focusing instead on the action, the film is too frenetic to engage explicitly in much of a romantic pairing.
Annie is driving the bus, and some of the action in speed, and when jack has a tantrum she holds his hand and calms him down.
Annie's outfit functions as a sort of 'femme-tomboy' guise, with the combination of butch femme elements found in high street fashion (chunky boots and lacy socks, vests combined with floral prints). Annie is already dressed for action. her collegiate sweatshirt suggests a cheerleader type: the sort of perfect teeth and sweet style role. she displays qualities of capability, first in demanding to know what is going on, later in her calmness in contrast to the panic-stricken passengers. however, Annie is scatty: she is late for the bus, running to catch up whilst smoking and balancing a coffee. Ultimately, Annie shifts from the driving seat heroine to damsel in distress awaiting rescue, thus allowing her to move directly into the 'romantic interest' role.
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