The movie Chain Reaction is well named, since the whole movie is built around a formula that has served Hollywood well over time. There is nothing new here. Indeed, the recipe for this movie follows many others. Here are the ingredients:
Two young, interesting scientists, one male, one female (former preferably cute, latter must be pretty).
Two bad guys: one moderately bad and the other bordering on insane.
One incredible new invention that will alter the world as we know it
Once you have the ingredients in place, the method is simple.
Blow up the incredible invention (good opportunity for special effects people), shroud the whole thing in mystery and blame the two cute scientists.
Liberally sprinkle on governmental intrigue
Add as many chase scenes as is possible, especially good if they're new and innovative, e.g on a draw bridge or an ice hovercraft.
Finally, just add the audience, and you're ready to make money.
However, even though Chain Reaction seems to be a movie much like a cake mix, just add water and oil and cook for forty minutes, the end result is surprisingly pleasing. The sum is greater than the parts here, which is indeed fortunate.
Keanu Reeves overacts shamelessly in most of his scenes, but at least he's back in a role that he seems comfortable with. I've always had a soft spot for Keanu, ever since Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure. So although he's ended up looking pretty dreadful in a number of movies (remember Bram Stoker's Dracula, and Walk in the Clouds). I always felt it was the fault of the casting agent rather than Keanu. In Chain Reaction he is in a suitable nitch, as a college drop out mechanical genius who provides the leg work for a breakthrough new method of power.
Morgan Freeman also overacts, but again, its probably not his fault, he doesn't seem to have the material he needs to produce his usual quality performance. Indeed, the writing in Chain Reaction is pretty transparent, like a watered down James Bond movie. You've seen it all before, but its fun to watch it anyway.
Rachel Reisz plays her role as a British physicist with aplomb. Her chemistry with Keanu Reeves worked nicely, and there was a comfortable camaraderie that fortunately avoids taking the typical love scene route. I was quite irritated to notice that Reisz's makeup remained perfect throughout the movie. In one scene she almost dies of hypothermia after a spectacular chase scene that ends in a lake. Keanu has to work hard to save her life, but as she lies in bed wrapped in blankets, her make up is impeccable.
My overall impression of this movie is positive. The special effects are held back to a minimum, and there even seems to be a storyline for a while. Basically, Chain Reaction is typical summer Hollywood diet. You might be advised to check your brains at the door and you'll at least come away feeling entertained if not stimulated.