Chain Reaction

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1:47

Chain Reaction

PG-13

Released Aug 2, 1996

1h 46m

Action

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

18%

Tomatometer

34 Reviews

27%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

At a Chicago university, a research team that includes brilliant Eddie Kasalivich (Keanu Reeves) experiences a breakthrough: a stable form of fusion that may lead to a waste-free energy source. However, Dr. Paul Shannon (Morgan Freeman) has ties to a private company that wants to exploit the technology, so Kasalivich and Dr. Lily Sinclair (Rachel Weisz) are framed for murder, and the fusion device is stolen. On the run from the FBI, they must recover the technology and exonerate themselves.

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Critics Consensus

Ironic given the scientific breakthrough at the story's core, Chain Reaction is a man-on-the-run thriller that mostly sticks to generic formula.

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

It's not a bad film in individual moments and in the energy of itsperformances, but it doesn't make a whole lot of sense.

Rated: 2.5/4

Jan 1, 2000

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Jeff Millar

Houston Chronicle

The narrative is very complex, but what's on the screen is little more than generic, non-narrative-specific, guy-being-chased stuff.

Jan 1, 2000

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Eric Brace

Washington Post

Plodding and predictable, and a big disappointment.

Jan 1, 2000

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

At least the overarching theme of humankind's contributions to planetary annihilation grows increasingly more relevant throughout the years.

Rated: 4/10

Jan 2, 2022

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Leigh Paatsch

Herald Sun (Australia)

An enjoyably mindless action adventure flick welded to a ludicrously cumbersome storyline.

Rated: 2.5/5

Jul 16, 2020

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...the movie often feels like an attempt by filmmaker Andrew Davis to replicate the massive (and entirely justified) success of 1993's The Fugitive.

Rated: 2.5/4

Jul 2, 2009

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Audience Member

Personally I don't know why it's so hated, yeah the plot is a little wonky but it's so much better than alot of TV nowadays, and it's one of my favorites.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/08/25

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Korra N

Not remotely as bad as it's made out to be but still far from great. The acting is solid & the direction is fun, but the script & pacing are not so good.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

07/27/25

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Farah R

A star-studded cast that gave it their all makes up for the outrageous plot and corny script.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

05/30/25

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Dylan E

The critics got this wrong. A solid chase thriller with an interesting premise. Great casting. The plot will keep you engaged until the end. They don’t make films like these anymore. Fun ‘90’s throwback. Relevant today with Toyota’s new water powered car engine.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/13/25

Full Review

Barrie C

I can't believe such a talented cast signed up for such a terrible movie. Corny plot, awful dialogue, ridiculous premise. Who or what was Morgan Freeman's character? Total waste of time

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

11/27/24

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S G

Great Sunday afternoon movie. 9/10

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/23/24

Full Review

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Andrew Davis

Director

Keanu Reeves

Eddie Kasalivich

Morgan Freeman

Paul Shannon

Rachel Weisz

Dr. Lily Sinclair

Fred Ward

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Chain Reaction: Trailer 1

1:47

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Synopsis

At a Chicago university, a research team that includes brilliant Eddie Kasalivich (Keanu Reeves) experiences a breakthrough: a stable form of fusion that may lead to a waste-free energy source. However, Dr. Paul Shannon (Morgan Freeman) has ties to a private company that wants to exploit the technology, so Kasalivich and Dr. Lily Sinclair (Rachel Weisz) are framed for murder, and the fusion device is stolen. On the run from the FBI, they must recover the technology and exonerate themselves.

Director: Andrew Davis
Producer: Arne Schmidt, Andrew Davis
Screenwriter: Arne Schmidt, Rick Seaman, Josh Friedman, J.F. Lawton, Michael Bortman
Distributor: 20th Century Fox, Fox
Production Co: 20th Century Fox
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Action
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 2, 1996, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 25, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $20.6M
Runtime: 1h 46m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo

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