The Chase | 
| Director: Adam Rifkin
Actors: Charlie Sheen, Kristy Swanson, Henry Rollins, Josh Mostel, Wayne Grace
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Category: DVD
List Price: $9.98
Buy New: $4.48
You Save: $5.50 (55%)
New (48) Used (11) from $4.31
Rating:  44 reviews
Sales Rank: 14202
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dvd, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled)
Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 94 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: FOXD2229099D
UPC: 024543190998
EAN: 0024543190998
ASIN: B0009X75MO
Theatrical Release Date: March 4, 1994
Release Date: September 6, 2005
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Movie DVD
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| Customer Reviews: Read 39 more reviews...
Obviously, few people got it May 20, 2009
Poor Napoleon (TX United States)
Perhaps the strangest thing about the Chase is that no one paid any attention to it, yet events would unfold months later that should've had Adam Rifkin laughing as the very thing he was slighting unfolded on the television.
The Chase bounces between action and comedy. Yet the action-comedy is not in the vein of "Beverly Hills Cop" type humor. It's more of a satirical slight of the justice system and the media. Charlie Sheen plays Jack Hammond, a man on the run after a false conviction due to mishandling of evidence. That such cases are true makes the film very poignant. Yet after Hammond is forced to take a hostage who, unbeknownst to him, has a little bit of celebrity, cops chase after him for the duration of the film, prompting a media circuis of his every move.
Rifkins characters may take thesmelves a little too seriously at times, which may have caused confusion among audience. Hammond seems serious while the cops, swansons parents, and the media personalities seem like caricatures, which is appropriate for the satirical tone of the film. Again, viewers didn't get this. Perhaps the funniest bit of satire comes in the form of the two officers filming a C.O.P.S. like show. Henry Rollins and Josh Mostel ham it up for the cameras. Rollins, who's had many run-ins with cops he didn't particularly like, has a lot of fun with his role and gets the point across perfectly.
So a little event unfolded on the news a few months later involving a police chase and a certain celebrity and the media exploded. I remember seeing the news and thinking of this film. While the film was supposed to be an exaggeration, it was eerily prophetic about how the media would behave in such an event. Adam Rifkin's films usually seem a little half baked, but this was one of his fully realized films that never got the credit it deserved. Aside from a rather predictable and lackluster ending, the film is great all around.
 What's Not To Like? March 26, 2009
Bradley Headstone (New York)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This film has often been the subject of negative criticism, and my response is that they are not seeing the whole picture for what it is worth. The truth is that this movie not only has comedy, suspense, and drama, but it avoids making anyone totally unlikable. This is one case where 'the car chase' allows us to gradually get to know everyone and understand their view of the situation. (Not unlike the great Shakespeare's "Comedy of Errors.")
It's basically this. Charlie Sheen was arrested for robbery, but he has escaped from prison. In desperation, he kidnaps Kristy Swanson, takes her car, and heads for Mexico. Later, we learn that he was arrested for a crime he did not commit, and that he is in fact a kind, gentle, vulnerable, and frightened man. (Later, we see just how much he cares about Kristy Swanson when he doesn't want her to ruin her life on his behalf.)
The officer Henry Rollins may appear to be over zealous. And we may be tempted to see him as a villain. BUT REMEMBER, he did NOT get to know Charlie Sheen the way we did. All his character knows is that Sheen was arrested for armed robbery, that he escaped from prison, that he supposedly fired on 2 officers, that he kidnapped a woman and stole her car, and that he caused a wreck on the highway.
Dalton Voss (Swanson's father) is not exactly the father of the year, but despite his faults, all he knows is that Charlie Sheen kidnapped his daughter and stole her car.
What makes this movie so great is that we are obviously lead into sympathy the most for Sheen and Swanson. But if we are honest with ourselves, we know we can't hate the other characters with a clear conscience.
Also worth mentioning is Charlie Sheen's benevolent and honorable lawyer, who handles his small role with dignity and talent. He wants to help everyone, but obviously, he can do little more than make a few desperate telephone calls and explain the truth of Sheen's innocence to everyone. (Probably also for the benefit of the audience as well.)
Another character worth mentioning is Rocky Caroll. He narrates some of the story quite nicely for us. And the zealous television program worker is great in his own way. He offers funny (but realistic) directions about what to film, and even when a gun is being held to his head, he can only think that it's great for his program: "Ned! Get a shot of this!" He sure is loyal to his profession!
Overall, there really is nothing to dislike about this movie. It has great convincing characters, a story that unfolds, interesting and different views of the same situation, and comedy, suspense, and some tragedy. (Not to mention a twist ending!)
Slight, but wonderful July 28, 2008
ds (Whitby, UK)
This is a film that really should suck royally. Think about it: Charlie Sheen, whose appearance has usually been a recipe for mediocrity; Kristy Swanson: anyone remember her for "acting" in anything else other than the Buffy movie? No, thought not.
But you know what, this film is wonderful. so good in fact that it is one of my favourites ever. Both Sheen and Swanson are really likeable in their roles. But what makes it even better is the wonderful support. Henry Rollins and Josh Mostel are simply wonderful as a pair of purusing cops roped into a reality cop show. Mostel's rather resigned, anxious pathos plays fantastically against Rollins' rapidly unravelling messianic monomania. Ray Wise as Swanson's multi-millionaire father is a treat, as are Anthony Keidis and Flea, playing a couple of glory-hunting stoners.
The other reason this film is so great is that it never fails to laugh at itself, most obviously in the cheese overload in-car love scene. And at just near the hour and a half mark it doesn't outstay its welcome.
What a film!
 Worth a Miss December 5, 2007
Peter Taylor (London UK)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Charlie Sheen at his absolute worst, which is about as bad as it gets.
Really just a feeble attempt to do a Vanishing Point. Someone must have vanished the script instead.
One of my all-time favorites September 14, 2007
adam-sw
That may be saying a LOT for some people, but this movie is a classic! How can you pass up Charlie Sheen when he's paired up with Henry Rollins, Flea, and a sweet cameo by Cary Elwes?
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