Chain Reaction

Keanu Reeves is a machinist working on an experimental project for clean renewable energy when all goes horribly wrong. There is a big explosion, people die and suddenly he and Rachael Weisz get framed for it all and find themselves the most wanted fugitives in America, and so the chase begins...

Did someone say fugitive? Hmm.. yes I kept getting flashbacks form "The Fugitive" when watching this. Not surprising as the similarities are startling when compared. The same Director, the same basic premise(ie. someone innocent getting framed, running away from law enforcement, uncovering the truth ext.), a number of plot points that coincide, several supporting cast members(bit roles mostly)are the same. This is in essence "The Fugitive" remade with a sci-fi twist.

The character of Dr. Lily Sinclair played by Rachael Weisz seems to serve little purpose other that a stray puppy for Keanu Reeves' character to look after. Now don't get me wrong - I love Rachel Weisz, her character here was just a little wooden. Almost an agitator character if you will, giving Keanu the motivation to advance the story. Flimsy but functional writing.

Morgan Freeman gives his now trademark "I know more than you do, and you know it" performance as the mysterious benefactor who clearly has his own agenda.

Nothing wrong with this film, at least nothing critical, but it wont be at the top of too many must have lists. So yes this movie does what it was meant to do : entertain you for just shy of 2 hours. Keanu Fans will enjoy it as should fans of the general chase movie genre, with a bit of (questionable)sci-fi thrown in for good measure.

After viewing this film on homevideo,i decided for myself that this fugitive style film was worth adding into my personal collection of fun films.All action nuts should get a kick out of chain reaction mainly because this is what the film was made for and not to be correct in all of what goes on.Keanu reaves is a student machinist at a chicago university who is working with a genius of a professor that is finding a way to extract energy from plain water thru process of hydrogen.Keanu finds the frequency that makes the process work by mistake one night at home.After having a small celebration back at the university,he escorts his tipsy assistant Rachel Weise back to her apartment,but like the gentleman he is,he dosent take advantage of her and puts her to bed.Once he returns back to the building where the experiments were conducted,he finds utter chaos with the professor dead(suffocated) and the hydrogen machine going haywire.He finds a explosive device ready to go off at any minute,so keanu bolts away and heads for his motocycle.After only getting a few miles away,the bomb is detonated and takes out five city blocks in the process.Naturally,since he was the last one at the scene,Keanu is the prime suspect in the sabotage case.His only allies are now Rachel Weise and the mysterious business man portrayed by Morgan Freeman who no one can figure out which side he is really on Purist and filmstudents could pick this film apart as they usually do by noting a few continuity glitches and questioning how keanu could survive the explosion that took out five city blocks,but if he were to perish then and there folks,there could be no further development and the film ends there.Keep in mind this was made for the action buff and you wont mind the few glitches that occur in this film which i deem quite enjoyable by all but the picky few who dont really watch films for enjoyment and escapism.

This film is fast and exciting. The story is about a scientist working at a University lab. to make renewable energy out of water. Upon succeeding, the plant explodes but not before Reeves returns to find one of the top researches suffocated. Upon investigation Reeves and Weiss are set up and the FBI are on their case. In seeking to find the truth, they uncover an undercover agency established by the Government that is so secret that top Officials at the White House are unaware of its activities, the FBI are unaware and the is no paperwork of its existence.

This film really gets you hooked and makes you think about what does really go on in the world.

Disclaimer: If you are a viewer that mainly prefers art-house-type movies, then you might as well ignore this review. In addition, if you're not able to take a few sci-fi leaps of faith, ignore this review, as well. We'll both be better off.

Chain Reaction (1996) is very underrated and trashed by critics. I am a big fan of Keanu Reeves and Andrew Davis and I like this film a lot. Before I go into this review I want to talk why I log in and write a review. After watching the new Keanu Reeves movie Knock Knock (2015) I have realized not only how god awful that movie was, but even Keanu Reeves sucked at acting in that movie. In this movie Chain Reaction he at least acted solid and in Knock Knock he did not! He made a fool out of himself and he gave us the worst performance of his life! There was a lot of movies he started it and they weren't that good but they were not awful either. Some people are complaining how god awful Chain Reaction is. Watch Knock Knock (2015) the new Reeves movie and you will see the results. Which is far the worst comparing to Chain Reaction. I rather watch this movie and I am taking Chain Reaction over Knock Knock!!!!!

I like this film a lot but not because of only Keanu Reeves but because of Andrew Davis, I have enjoyed his awesome Action flicks and even this film is Rated PG-13 and underrated it still doesn't ruing my likeness for seeing this movie again. I have always enjoy it of watching this movie. Rachel Weisz co stars in this movie as opposite of Morgan Freeman and Keanu Reeves. 9.years later Keanu and Rachel teamed back together in Supernatural horror flick Constantine (2005). Overall I like this movie! I believe it is exactly what would happen if technology like this was released. I think this movie was smart and slick even for underrated film. The technology putting in here was really smart idea and it was fast paced. I still don't know what went wrong and why the critics panned this film?. It held together quite well and the action was perfect for the characters. The message is important and timely (was in 1996 as well). Morgan Freeman does a superb job.

Chain Reaction is a decent film to watch and, ironically, it's topic is even more current now than it was back in 1996. Conspiracy theorists will love it. Morgan Freeman and Keanu Reeves make an excellent pairing and when you add such veteran character actors like Fred Ward and Brian Cox, you simply cannot go wrong. Rachel Weisz, while she's a great addition to this movie, seems like an odd pairing with Keanu Reeves. All in all, if you're looking for a great action movie, popcorn movie and conspiracy movie all rolled into one, you simply cannot go wrong with Chain Reaction. This mid 90's action/thriller from the director of The Fugitive and Under Siege features a post Bill & Ted alum Keanu Reeves and Morgan Freeman. Fairly new Rachel Weitz and some other good character actors. Chain Reaction fills the hour & 40 min void with thrilling action and semi-suspenseful drama as this typical cat & mouse game plays out. Government conspiracy or cover-up or perhaps both are involved within this flick.

A student machinist finds himself caught in a maze of murder, government cover-ups and hi-tech espionage while working on a ground-breaking scientific experiment. Eddie Kasalivich and Lily Sinclair are part of a team of scientists who have developed a revolutionary new source of energy. But no sooner have they finished celebrating their triumph, than their lab is destroyed and the head of their team killed. Named as the main suspects, Eddie and Lily quickly realize their only hope lies with Paul Shannon, a powerful and foundation head, who may or may not be on their side.

That is the basic plot of this movie. It does involves of two students been a fugitives for a crime they did not commit. I am giving this movie a 7/10 it is not a perfect movie the best or one of the greatest movies of all time, but it is still solid and fun to watch!

Chain Reaction is a 1996 American action film directed by Andrew Davis, starring Keanu Reeves, Morgan Freeman, Rachel Weisz, Fred Ward, Kevin Dunn and Brian Cox.

7/10 Score: B Studio: 20TH Century Fox Starring: Keanu Reeves, Morgan Freeman, Rachel Weisz, Fred Ward, Kevin Dunn, Brian Cox Director: Andrew Davis Screenplay: J. F. Lawton, Michael Bortman Story By Arne L. Schmidt, Rick Seaman, Josh Friedman Producers: Arne L. Schmidt, Andrew Davis Rated: PG-13 Running Time: 1 Hr. 47 Mins. Budget: $50.000.000 Box Office: $60,209,334

I never saw this at the height of the 90s and it clearly draws a lot from the movies from that era. Even though you have quite a lot of good actors in it (and Keanu Reaves), the movie really can not live up to any of the expectations the viewer might have.

The eco message, the social message all are like dust in the wind. The action somewhat works ... though having the Dude Keanu running circles around alleged (military?) trained men ... and all meant to be taken seriously ... that's really a tough ask.

Don't get it twisted: I like Keanu. I have not met him, but he seems like a very cool person/Dude or whatever you want to call him. Having said all that, his acting abilities or his most screen performances are not really more than a guy who flails his arms and seems lost with puppy eyes. This may sound a lot meaner than I it is meant. I just want to make the point that if you don't let your personal feelings in the way, you may see through him and not see him as a scientist ... not matter how hard you try to suspend your disbelief.

Take all this into account (and the quite predictable plot) and you know why the rating is so low ... even though the ending might be able to get you to slide onto the edge of your seat for a second ...