User Reviews

Simply put, one of my favorite movies of the 90s, because I'm a big fan of the Fugitive. This plot follows it adds a bit of a new age spin on it. Enjoyable flick with very good actors and a cast that features Keanu Reeves, Morgan Freeman, Fred Ward, Brian Cox, Rachel Weisz and many others, highly recommended if you're a fan of the Fugitive or U.S. Marshalls!

The story is about a chemist & his friend suspected of murdering their mentor and Reeves & Weisz receive help from a friend of their fallen colleague and they try and find out who is trying to frame them for murder. Much like The Fugitive, which ironically is done by most of the same crew and features some of the actors from that film, it's a great flick to pass the time on.

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.

Has the same improbability clause of other flicks in the same genre. Notwithstanding, Chain Reaction has excellent lighting and set design. There is overall a strong dependency on team acting and multiple scene rotations. This gives the film a docu-drama effect in the beginning. The fast paced scenes may obscure the plot for some. For me the cinemagraphic effects and acting are A-1. Obviously the writing and direction are good, or this film would not hold together at all, and it does. Because there is little character development, the focus is on scene development and approaching plot. This sort of editing technique and direction does not happen by chance and must be recognized as a valid concept. Most certainly a film with character and merit which can be enjoyed by those looking beyond a breadcrumb plot and a gingerbread house script. Good music score (odd, but good) with good sound effects. Forget the trailer, which has little or no correspondence to the film itself, or maybe it does. This is a rather strange film where one has to believe a group of people with unique ideas came together and produced a rather odd film with value. I enjoyed it.

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

"Man and woman against the world!!" Okay, maybe it has been done into the ground, and it is the basis of today's and yesterday's rehashed thriller. The welcome difference that "Chain Reaction" gives is in its cast.

Morgan Freeman, Keanu Reeves (who's at his best in action) and Rachel Weisz make this film much more engaging to watch than it should be. Reeves and Weisz look fine together as Eddie and Lily, respectively, who are two college students accused of murdering one of their colleagues and stealing their economically and ecologically-friendly fuel project. They must run from the Law AND those who have framed them, or are they the same people?

Good on action!

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 ...

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.

Sometimes you wonder how talented actors end up in annoyingly mediocre movies. Chain Reaction is a good example: it was directed by Andrew Davis and it stars Keanu Reeves and Morgan Freeman. Considering the talent involved, you could expect quality entertainment from such a team. But no, instead we are given a disposable no-brainer that disappoints in many ways. The screenwriters obviously tried to make an intelligent script about using hydrogen as a source of energy, but it just doesn´t make much sense. Yet, despite its numerous flaws, Chain Reaction certainly entertains for its running time. Just turn your brain off and expect nothing special. Not worth renting, wait until its on TV.

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.

I normally check the reviews of a film before I buy it or go see it, but this time, a friend game me a DVD, so I just went ahead and watched it. Chain Reaction. My reaction got worse and worse as I got into the film. "A willing suspension of disbelief" is one thing, but out-and-out lunacy is something else entirely. Mild-mannered brilliant scientist Keanu Reeves suddenly turns into a super hero, fighting off trained thugs and killers three at a time, outrunning police and FBI without losing breath, and climbing a drawbridge and tall buildings in a single bound. Easily recognized from afar because of his long locks, it never occurs to him to cut his hair and wear a bit of a disguise while he is being pursued. Shame on Morgan Freeman for being associated with such nonsense.

Actually, the above poster is incorrect. Reeves is a machinist in this movie who is helping the scientists build the parts not a scientist. And that matters in this movie because Reeves actually does pretty well for once as an actor.

The concept of the movie isn't a new one, an industrial-military conspiracy to control technology because the masses aren't "ready" to deal with it yet. Freeman actually played the most interesting character. He kind of flip-flops throughout the movie and you're not sure what to think of him until the final scene.

Regardless, it wasn't the best movie nor the worst movie ever made. Reeves acted pretty well and the writing was semi-believable. If you're looking for a fast paced movie that you don't have to think too much on - this movie isn't a bad rental to see.

Mostly, "Chain Reaction" is another action flick about some cool guy having to battle a bunch of seemingly invincible forces. In this case, Keanu Reeves gets framed for murder and has to go on the lam. In a way, it seems like this movie is just rehashing "The Fugitive" and "The Net". Still, I agree with a previous reviewer that the cast pretty much keeps this one afloat. Along with Reeves, there's Morgan Freeman, Rachel Weisz, Fred Ward, Kevin Dunn, Brian Cox, Joanna Cassidy and Tzi Ma (most recently seen in "The Ladykillers").

So, it's nothing special, but passable. As Keanu Reeves often says in movies: "Whoa".

Eddie (Keanu Reeves) works on a scientific team that is searching for low-cost energy sources that are good for the environment, too. One day, it seems that such a discovery has been made. Soon after, however, the chief scientist is murdered and the invention stolen. Eddie and fellow team member Dr. Lily Sinclair (Rachel Weisz) are suspects in the murder and are forced to go on the run. Naturally, the police and the FBI are in hot pursuit. Another team member Paul (Morgan Freeman) may have some secrets to hide as well. Will the truth come out and will the fleeing duo be captured?

This movie is mostly a chase picture and a moderately successful one. Much of the action is centered on the capture of Eddie and Lily. There is an impressive scene, for example, where Eddie is trying to avoid seizure by climbing a raised bridge. Unfortunately, not all of the scenes are as effective. The scientific elements are quickly rushed over, causing some confusion as to what has transpired. As for the romance between Reeves and Weisz, it is nicely subdued. It's there but only manifests itself in a few embraces. Although the ending is quite exciting, the overall effect of the movie as an action flick is only partly realized. There are some missing plot elements that would have raised it to a higher level. Recommended as a fairly good action motion picture; Reeves fans, certainly, will enjoy it.

Or at least kiss!

but it is a cool movie over all.

My Take: A formulaic action movie with some impressive set pieces marred by lackluster writing.

Student machinist Keanu Reeves is framed for murder and sabotage of a research laboratory he works in, and is forced to run for his life while trying to prove his innocence. This is not another sequel to THE FUGITIVE, it's actually CHAIN REACTION; a techno chase-thriller from director Andrew Davis, who also directed THE FUGITIVE. Like in that superior film, Davis displays his skills at staging perfectly exciting yet quite plausible action sequences. Unfortunately, the script this time is built around the action, rather than vice versa.

The film's plot, about the discovery of water as a main component for creating a cheaper source of energy, is almost abandoned for most of the film in favor of a fairly ordinary chase thriller that has Reeves running from the FBI after being suspected for sabotage, being the only person alive after the explosion of the lab. And boy does he run! The chase moves from jumping from a bridge to chases in snowmobiles or helicopters. In fairness, Davis stages action very well and the stunts here are just what we expect from the man who perfectly staged the train wreck scene in THE FUGITIVE. Unfortunately, the movie stops being thrilling when it becomes a bit too predictable and rather pointless. It's just one chase after another as Reeves and companion Rachel Weisz dodges the feds for 107 minutes until they unmask the true saboteur (which, I suspect, the audience may have already found out halfway).

Morgan Freeman is pretty good in a role that demands more of him, and Reeves is once again more impressive in the action rather than in the acting. But unlike in other movies like SPEED, Reeves fails to even display charisma or exhibit any chemistry with his female co-star Weisz (or is it because their characters really just doesn't have enough time to connect?). And when it all finally comes to a close, it didn't feel quite like the end of a movie but the end of a really long chase (of chase). As cinematic junk food goes, CHAIN REACTION is harmless and watchable, but even other mindless action movies have more meat than this.

Rating: **1/2 out of 5.

Despite the fact that it is instantly forgettable, CHAIN REACTION is a fairly decent sci-fi actioneer. The writers deserve to be commended for their original storyline, in which a scientific team discovers a low-cost fuel source reliant only on water. Naturally, evil capitalist forces are out to sabotage the project, and it's up to Eddie Kasalivich (Keanu Reeves in a slightly Bill-and-Ted-like performance) to save the day. The action and thrills are never first-rate, and things drag on a tad too long, but somehow, CHAIN REACTION is better than the sum of its parts. Twentieth Century Fox had high hopes for this $55-million would-be blockbuster, especially after Reeves' success two years earlier with SPEED, but it quickly faded from theaters, so it has a sort of a "forgotten film" appeal.

OK, let's start the movie with a physics professor lecturing a huge class about combining hydrogen and oxygen (a chemical reaction which produces water) and referring to it as nuclear fusion, or at least talking about getting fusion-level energies from a blatantly chemical process.

Ah, where do we want to go from there? Unfortunately, the writers of this tripe decided that changing direction and going "up" was out of the question. I guess they had mud in their ears from digging that preposterously deep hole, which prevented them from hearing the question at all.

From there, people do remarkably stupid things, and fail in remarkably stupid ways, and allow Super-Keanu to save the day!!!. This is what is called the "idiot plot". The only reason the plot advances is because every single character involved is a complete and total idiot, so that not one of them can figure out the one thing (out of many million "one things") which would stop the nefarious villain(s) in their tracks!! If you failed sixth grade science **and** never looked back, then you might enjoy this movie. If not, you will probably find more pleasure from watching "Manos, Hand of Fate", and drinking a shot of whiskey every time 3 minutes of washed-out scenery pass by on the screen, and smiling with the inward knowledge that, by the end of Manos, you, too, will be able to write a script which is better than the one at the heart of "Chain Reaction".

I ask you: Am I the ONLY person who is capable of thinking of hiring a bright high-school tech geek to vette scripts for, oh, $500 a pop, for blatantly imbecilic science errors? Especially if the scripts are supposed to *center* on science basics? This movie was going to be bad, no matter what, but, for cryin' out loud, at least get the parts correct that you can get correct for cheap!

Chain reaction is the fugitive all over again not much has change a man is wrongfully accused, but i had fun again reeves,freeman,weisz all do a good job with what they have to work with. the FBI agents seems a little lazy in there pursuit unlike ( jones and his boys in the fugitive ) but it's still fun to watch. there is a great effects action scene in the 1st 15 to 17 mins. in the film like ( davis' train wreck in the fugitive ) kind of trade mark of some sorts and the bad guys are also somewhat faceless with no real words just chase the good guy but like i said it's still fun. if you like chase movies then you may like chain reaction just don't expect too much just take it for what it is.

Yes, before seeing this movie i usually doubted which was the worst film i'd seen; now my mind is clear. I don't have the patience to mention every goof in the plot, but, believe me, it's crap in its purest form.

Undoubtly a sure candidate to Mystery Science Theater 3000.

Just saw this movie for the second time. Saw it years ago and have been wanting to see it again. I was not disappointed!

This is a tense chase movie that keeps you guessing. Reeves is again a charming and interesting character. The plot has several twists that keep you guessing. While listed as a "sci-fi" I wouldn't call it that, although the plot revolves around an scientific innovation and the struggle between those who want to share it with the world for free and the big dark powers that want the power for themselves.

The only change I would make is in cutting the film a little shorter -- there is a "boss battle" at the end that is unnecessary and serves to drag the film longer than need be. We see this in too many films, and every time I lament that filmmakers think we want complicated here-we-go-again finales instead of wrapping up films in a way that makes sense.

Otherwise, a good film I have enjoyed twice.

I've seen plenty of bad movies, but, by gum, this was just one of those films which totally turned me off, so I'll make my review short. I guess the thing which annoyed me the most was the amount of money spent on a film which achieves so little. Definitely one of the many low points in Keanu's acting career (THE MATRIX was still three years away), this film presents him as the world's most unlikely scientist, a braindead dope whose survival until the ending of the film is simply preposterous. Morgan Freeman isn't served much better, and definitely shouldn't be appearing in junk like this if he wants his career to stay afloat.

The plot is minimal, and basically it's all one big cat and mouse movie with some poor CGI explosions. Frankly, the action isn't handled very well so many scenes are repetitive, a surprise considering that director Andrew Davies made some really exciting films with THE FUGITIVE and UNDER SIEGE. The violence is tame too, and this is nothing we haven't seen before. Ultimately a big disappoint, CHAIN REACTION is shallow, empty, stupid and pointless. Avoid unless there is absolutely nothing else on television to watch, and for god's sake don't buy it!