Python Hyena Chain Reaction (1996): Dir: Andrew Davis / Cast: Keanu Reeves, Morgan Freeman, Rachel Weisz, Fred Ward, Kevin Dunn: A complete rehash of The Fugitive involving one disaster after another, and that doesn't include the film itself. It stars Keanu Reeves as a mechanist who created an unlimited and powerful energy source from water. After some celebrating he and Rachel Weisz return to the laboratory only for it to go up in flames. Reeves and Weisz are framed for a murder and must clear their names while Morgan Freeman confronts police. Production is nothing new and despite Andrew Davis being able to shoot action scenes, he is basically reciting what worked much better in his masterpiece The Fugitive. Keanu Reeves spends nearly the whole film running, and unfortunately he didn't run far enough because he still found his way back on the set. Morgan Freeman should leave the one-liners to the comedians. Weisz is there because the script called for a female and she obviously fits the description. Like Reeves, she spends nearly the whole film running and getting nearly blown to bits. Fred Ward plays a cop on the scene, which is pretty standard, and Kevin Dunn plays his partner. Together they are unable to rescue these roles from the avalanche of clichés. It is a pointless action driven disaster that should be used to test fire crackers on. Score: 1 / 10

HelenMary I found reviews for this film on IMDb confusing and wondered whether people had watched the same film as me. One reviewer said that the film doesn't mention sonoluminescence (it does, explicitly), others say that certain things aren't explained ie the explosion in the warehouse. Well d'uh! Hydrogen is not an inert gas and is highly flammable (mentioned a LOT in the film) and people complain about lack of plot then demonstrate they didn't understand it anyway! Chain Reaction is a science-heavy sci-fi chase film where two people who barely know each other are framed for something they didn't do and go on the run. Suspension of "why didn't they just go to the FBI and explain" aside, it's a ripping good fairly intelligent yarn which isn't dumbed down so it's not all spelled out, especially Shannon's character (Morgan Freeman) who throughout is ambiguous in who's side he is actually on. Aspects of the story are insidious - an environmentally friendly fuel that would revolutionise the world and a Government Agency wants to suppress it and an idealist is labelled a dreamer for wanting to make a difference. It's isn't too hard to believe that is a possible scenario. Okay some of the acting is a little cheesy but overall the performances were perfectly fine. Freeman of course is superior. Dr Alistair Barkley (Nicholas Rudall) was also a lovely actor and character, although not well known, and his monologue at the beginning is just superb and emotive - clearly the writing/screenplay was very good except for the repetition of everyone's names during conversation, that really gets on my nerves. The plot is as simple or as complex as you want. On the surface it's a simple on the run film, but the political conspiracy aspects and science-stuff make it a deeper story, which not being spelled out adds to the mystery. Reeves of course is excellent at the action, and plays resourceful convincingly and easily; I liked his dogged determination to rescue Lily and clear their names. Rachel Weisz's Physicist the "too serious Lily" is a bit weak, a bit of a drag on the survival given that everything is done for her but perhaps that is more realistic, women don't miraculously turn into gung-ho running leaping shooting and fighting survivalists, but I do expect her to do something but her emotions are very real especially regarding Chen (Tzi Ma). Whilst you see a potential romance on the cards for Eddie and Lily it's nice that the screenplay doesn't dwell on it, and the focus of the plot given the lack of time and Eddie Kasalivich being a gentleman.The SFX in the film are good, especially the explosions, and I'm betting Reeves does his own bike stunts. There are many stunts which are pretty good but they are within the bounds of realism - and this is generally why the characters are relatable and convincing. It's got a tense crescendo to how it runs out, and it's entertaining and adult without resorting to bad language and gratuitous violence - I would consider it almost a family film (older family). I'm not saying it's the best film every made, but I like all aspects of it to have seen it a number of times. I think some people try and read too much into the science, it's not supposed to be an episode of the Open University, it's just a science-fiction that isn't too far from feasible possibility. Just sit back and enjoy for some entertainment.

namashi_1 Andrew Davis made an intelligent and absorbing thriller in his 1993 smash hit 'The Fugitive'. But in 'Chain Reaction', he fails to engage or thrill it's viewer. An idea that had potential to hook it's viewer, is disbanded by weak writing.'The Fugitive' told the story of 1 innocent person blamed for something he didn't do, 'Chain Recation' is about 2 innocent souls, who are blamed for something they haven't done.'Chain Reaction' begins with a bang. The initial portions make you feel as if you're in for a roller-coaster ride. Unfortunately, the writing goes for a toss, especially in it's penultimate portions. The suspense falls flat, and that becomes it's biggest downer.Andrew Davis is good filmmaker, no doubt, but it's the writing that lets him down in here. Cinematography is alright. The Editing could've been crispier. Performance-Wise: Keanu Reeves is adequate. Morgan Freeman is excellent, as expected. Rachel Weisz is alright. Brian Cox, Fred Ward & Kevin Dunn do their bits well.On the whole, 'Chain Reaction' is strictly an average fare. A Thriller that clearly Disappoints!

vmp3737 This movie centers on the heroes being chased all over the map having been framed for murder and treason. They make all sorts of clever attempts to evade their pursuers. However, neither of them does one thing to change their appearance -- they don't cut their hair, they don't color it, and the Keanu Reeves character doesn't shave his beard. And the escape from certain death at the end is way beyond belief!I'm willing to suspend a little disbelief but am I supposed to think this is even remotely realistic? Naturally this plot contained twists and turns and bad guys who looked at first like good guys. But I found myself anticipating virtually all of it. There were few surprises except how transparent the story was.Sadly, I can't help wondering how so many good actors got involved with this lousy movie although we see that often in Hollywood.