Chain Reaction (1996)

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

Director:

Andrew Davis

Writers:

Arne Schmidt (story) (as Arne L. Schmidt), Rick Seaman (story)

Stars:

Keanu Reeves, Morgan Freeman, Rachel Weisz

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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 Pearl	...	Emily Pearl (as Julie R. Pearl)
Godfrey	...	Chidi Egbuna
Gene Barge	...	James Washington
Nathan Davis	...	Morris Grodsky

Storyline

Eddie Kasalivich, an undergraduate at the University of Chicago, works as a technician for a scientific team that discovers an alternative, low-cost, pollution-free fuel source. Eddie and Lilly were involved in the research that was done at this first lab. The first lab was sabotaged and it exploded. One of the chief scientists is murdered during the attack and the sabotage of the lab, Eddie and physicist Lily Sinclair are framed for it and have to flee for their lives, with the FBI, CIA and other involved parties in close pursuit. Paul Shannon, Eddies mentor, is the director of a secret CIA contractor which - unknown to Eddie - has commercial interests in the lab equipment. Eddie and Lily flee police, FBI and CIA secret contractors but Lily winds getting captured and is driven to the underground experimental lab. Eddie follows Lily to this not yet fully working lab and quickly gets it working since it needed two different frequencies for the energy to get produced and Eddie has kept ...

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Plot Keywords:

man wearing glasses | on the run | cold fusion | die hard scenario | outrunning explosion | 

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Taglines:

Reaction Time 8-4-96

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Genres:

Action | Drama | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some intense action/violence

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 August 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

Dead Drop

Filming Locations:

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

Box Office

Budget:

$50,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$7,546,000, 4 August 1996, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$20,550,712, 29 September 1996

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$38,200,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

3 Arts Entertainment, Chicago Pacific Entertainment, The Zanuck Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Right at the start of the film, during the speech held by the Scientist, behind him is a Buckminster Fuller Dymaxion Map.

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Goofs

(at around 20 mins) During the FBI interview Morgan Freeman wields an unlit cigar. The position of the cigar band alternates from halfway down the cigar in wide and medium shots to near the tip in closeups.

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Quotes

FBI Agent Ford: Hundred bucks, kid didn't do it.
FBI Agent Doyle: You got a nationwide manhunt for an innocent man?
FBI Agent Ford: Make sure nobody shoots him.

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Crazy Credits

As the end credits come to the end, the music fades out and a rumble gets louder and louder. This is the start of a shockwave resulting from the massive explosion at the end of the film. The viewpoint is of Keanu Reeves who by now is in a helicopter and comes straight on screen after the last of the credits has gone up. The ground implodes briefly and you hear Agent Ford say "Whoa!".

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Connections

Featured in At the Movies: The Chamber/The Ghost and the Darkness/The Long Kiss Goodnight/Looking for Richard/Freeway (1996)

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Soundtracks

One Love
Written by Bob Marley
Performed by Bob Marley & The Wailers (as Bob Marley and The Wailers)
Courtesy of Island Records, Inc.

User Reviews

Does what it's supposed to......

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.