Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- irreverent
- witty
- rollicking
- casual movie night
- road movie marathon
What critics said
Critics generally found the film slick, energetic, and intermittently witty, with effective satire of television news and political opportunism undermined by a forced script and superficial characterization.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The chase is repeatedly viewed through helicopters, police-car footage, highway coverage, and live television reporting.
Live coverage transforms the hostage pursuit into a media event while Dalton Voss exploits it politically.
Jack Hammond takes Natalie Voss hostage but the film centers their extended dialogue and unexpected chemistry in the car.
The film combines a sensational kidnapping, live news coverage, and a millionaire father's gubernatorial ambitions in an exaggerated comic register.
Films like The Chase, and why
Smokey and the Bandit
shared road movie structure, comic pursuit, and irreverent social satire
The Running Man
shared live-media spectacle, crime-comedy energy, and chaotic police pursuit
Three Fugitives
shared hostage-on-the-run premise, fast pacing, and odd-couple chemistry
To Die For
shared satirical treatment of television news, crime, and celebrity-driven spectacle
Movie Details
- Director
- Adam Rifkin
- Release Date
- 1994-03-04
- Runtime
- 89 min
- Rating
- 5.8 / 10 (403)
Cast
- Charlie Sheen
- Kristy Swanson
- Henry Rollins
- Rocky Carroll
- Ray Wise
- Cary Elwes
- Flea
- Anthony Kiedis
- Marshall Bell
- Ron Jeremy
Common questions
- What is The Chase about?
- A fugitive’s improvised hostage escape becomes a relentlessly televised road chase and a gleefully cynical send-up of crime, politics, and news culture.
- What is The Chase like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Chase as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Chase violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in The Chase as mild.
- What did critics think of The Chase?
- Critics generally found the film slick, energetic, and intermittently witty, with effective satire of television news and political opportunism undermined by a forced script and superficial characterization.
- Which films are like The Chase?
- Films with a similar feel include Smokey and the Bandit, The Running Man, Three Fugitives, and To Die For.
- How long is The Chase?
- The Chase runs 89 minutes.
