Chain Reaction (1996)

Director:

Andrew Davis

Writers (WGA):

Arne Schmidt (story) &
Rick Seaman (story) ...

Release Date:

2 August 1996 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Thriller | Drama

Tagline:

Reaction Time 8-4-96

Plot:

Two researchers in a green alternative energy project are put on the run when they are framed for murder and treason.

Plot Keywords:

Female Detective | Box Office Flop | Falsely Accused | Interrogation | Senate Hearing

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Keanu Reeves	...	Eddie Kasalivich
Morgan Freeman	...	Paul Shannon
Rachel Weisz	...	Dr. Lily Sinclair
Fred Ward	...	FBI Agent Leon Ford
Kevin Dunn	...	FBI Agent Doyle
Brian Cox	...	Lyman Earl Collier
Joanna Cassidy	...	Maggie McDermott
Chelcie Ross	...	Ed Rafferty
Nicholas Rudall	...	Dr. Alistair Barkley
Tzi Ma	...	Lu Chen
Krzysztof Pieczynski	...	Lucasz Screbneski
Julie R. Pearl	...	Emily Pearl
Godfrey	...	Chidi Egbuna
Gene Barge	...	James Washington
Nathan Davis	...	Morris Grodsky

Also Known As:

Dead Drop (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some intense action/violence.

Runtime:

106 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

South Korea:15 | Philippines:PG-13 | Iceland:12 | USA:PG-13 (certificate #34663) | New Zealand:M | Australia:M | Belgium:KT | Canada:PG | Finland:K-14 | France:U | Germany:12 (w) | Netherlands:16 | Norway:15 | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:PG | Spain:13 | Sweden:15 | UK:12

Filming Locations:

53rd Street & Blackstone Avenue, Hyde Park, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Company:

Chicago Pacific Entertainment

Trivia:

Scenes filmed at both the Field Museum of Natural History and the Museum of Science and Industry, both in Chicago (about five miles apart), were combined to suggest a (fictitious) museum located outside of Washington, DC. The action did not occur in Chicago.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: Dressed in black under a stretcher in the boat.

Quotes:

[after shooting and killing Lyman Collier]
Paul Shannon: I didn't tell you, Lyman, but your retirement had already been arranged.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Hollywood Science: Escapes (#1.2)" (2003)

Soundtrack:

One Love

Moderately successful chase movie

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.