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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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Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: B-

Sep 7, 2011

Full Review

Globe and Mail

Rated: 1.5/4

Apr 12, 2002

Full Review

Eric Brace

Washington Post

Plodding and predictable, and a big disappointment.

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

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

Full Review

Leigh Paatsch

Herald Sun (Australia)

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

Rated: 2.5/5

Jul 16, 2020

Full Review

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

Full Review

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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

Full Review

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

Full Review

S G

Great Sunday afternoon movie. 9/10

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/23/24

Full Review

Mark A

An awful movie and a terrible waste of resources.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

07/05/24

Full Review

This Old G

Saw this movie in a theater, still asking myself why after all these years. I am a huge fan of Keanu Reeves despite him making this movie.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

07/03/24

Full Review

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Andrew Davis

Director

Keanu Reeves

Eddie Kasalivich

Morgan Freeman

Paul Shannon

Rachel Weisz

Dr. Lily Sinclair

Fred Ward

FBI Agent Leon Ford

Kevin Dunn

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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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