Chain Reaction (1996)

	Also Known As: -
	Year of first release: 1996
	Director: Andrew Davis (The Fugitive, Above the Law)
	Actors: Keanu Reeves (Matrix 1-3, Ronin), Morgan Freeman (Deep Impact, The Dark Knight trilogy, Oblivion), Rachel Weisz (The Fountain, The Mummy), Kevin Dunn (Transformers 1-3), Brian Cox (X-men 2)
	Country: USA
	Genre: Action, Thriller
	Conditions of visioning: 19.11.2015, SD VOD, 14" computer screen
Synopsis: Member of a scientific team working on a project of clean renewable energy, Eddie (Reeves) discovers that his lab has been sabotaged and barely escapes a massive explosion. Together with physicist Dr. Lily Sinclair (Weisz) he will continuously evade the FBI and a trained team that wants to make him take the blame.
Review: Not such a bad action movie from the 90's, with the then-trendy Keanu Reeves just after Speed and before The Devil's Advocate and The Matrix. The topic of an American corporation fighting to keep control of energy resources if ever-actual. The non-stop chase is well executed by Reeves although it is a bit too much a times (no time to rest for our heroes) and thus the movie is well described by its French title Poursuite. As the story revolves around scientists, an interesting choice was made to show to the audience a tour of several nice locations: a large lab in an abandoned factory, a particle accelerator, a Natural History Museum and the photogenic Yerkes Observatory. We also get to see chases on a draw bridge and a frozen lake. By the way it was original (although probably difficult) to shoot this movie in winter close to Chicago. The snowy landscapes look good and the actors do not have to fake being cold in their heavy jackets! Other filmmakers would have followed the easier choice of shooting in L.A.
Rating: 6 /10