Rock The (BD)

The name Michael Bay and the phrase "great film" don't often appear together. Bay has proven with films such as Armageddon and the Transformers franchise to be the poster child of the current Hollywood "wham-bam-thank you ma'am!" style of filmmaking. That is to say, the kind of filmmaking that emphasizes style over substance. And yet, back in the mid-1990s, Bay got the mix right for one film. That film was The Rock. Part of which is down to the film's cast and, in particular, its trio of lead actors. Sean Connery was having something of a comeback in the 1990s, and the film is a prime example of that. He exudes presence from his first scene nearly a half-hour into the film (despite his top billing) right up to his final shot. Whether he's making quips ala James Bond (perhaps appropriately enough as his character of Mason is a former British agent) or taking on antagonists half his age while being a reluctant father figure to Nicholas Cage's character, Connery is watchable throughout. As are the other two members of the leading trio. The Rock seems to be the film that established Nicholas Cage as a bit of an action star, and it is here that his quirky but reluctant hero persona works best. That might be down to how well the thrown together relationship between his character of FBI chemical weapons specialist Goodspeed and Connery's Mason works. Rounding out the trio is Ed Harris' villain, Marine Corp Brigadier General Frank Hummel, the proverbial "good soldier" gone bad. What's fantastic about Harris' performance is that Hummel is in many ways sympathetic, a commanding officer who has seen too many men fight and die for their country without recognition. What he's after isn't some madcap take over the world scheme but a desperate, last-ditch attempt to have his men recognized but going about in a way that can only end tragically. Harris brings all these elements out in his performance, rounding off the lead cast with an underrated villain. The supporting cast is strong as well, often featuring character actors. There's the late John Spencer, on the eve of success in The West Wing (a series created by uncredited Rock scriptwriter Aaron Sorkin), as the FBI director reluctant to bring an imprisoned Mason out into the world again but forced to watch as events unfold. William Forsythe and Michael Biehn both come across well in their roles as the FBI special-agent-in-charge and as the leader of a Navy SEAL team sent in alongside Mason and Goodspeed. The highlights of the supporting cast though lie in the men occupying the former prison alongside Harris' general from David Morse as his second in command Major Baxter as well as Tony Todd and Gregory Sporleder in stand out supporting roles where they offer a considerable amount of menace. They are just a few highlights from a strong cast. Being a Bay film, it's a visually stunning action film. From the stealing of the nerve gas by Hummel's Marines to a destructive car chase across San Francisco, the film's first hour showcases kinetic action sequences alongside its exposition to keeps the viewer's attention glued to the screen. Once the film gets Mason and Goodspeed to Alcatraz in its second half, the film becomes a set of running battles involving the duo against the Marines. And yet, Bay proves he is just as capable of handling somber pieces such as the military funeral that helps form the opening credit sequence or the quieter scenes with Connery. Bay's direction, the cinematography of John Schwartzman, and the editing of Richard Francis-Bruce make The Rock an action spectacle. One with a difference, however. What separates this film from virtually everything Bay has directed to date (and his many imitators) is its script. The Rock is an intelligently plotted thrill ride full of intriguing characters and plot twists from its well-realized lead characters to its conclusion with all the complications that ensue. It also helps that the film is full of witty dialogue from Mason's quips to many of the exchanges between Mason and Goodspeed. In a way, that the script is so good is a surprise given that a team of writers worked on it from the three credited writers (David Weisberg, Douglas S. Cook, and Mark Rosner) to uncredited contributions from Aaron Sorkin in addition to favored Connery script doctors Ian La Frenais and Dick Clement. The result, however, is a better-written action flick than one might expect and the one example I can think of many hands producing a superb script. The Rock then stands as perhaps the single best thing to come out of Bay's directorial career. It was here that he found the right recipe between casting, action, spectacle, humor, and plot. Maybe that's why, more than twenty years later, the film holds up as one of the best action films of the 1990s, as thrilling now as it was then.

Outstanding

My kids are going through a Nick Cage phase and there was no way we were going to miss The Rock. Man I forget how stacked this cast was, not just stars but some of the best character actors, John C McGinley, Tony Todd, John Spencer, Michael Biehn, David Morse, Phillip Baker Hall...I mean these are some tier 1 character actors of their time. Then you have Ed freakin' Harris. It doesn't matter if a script is bad he is going to deliver it like its a Shakespeare play, his entire being refuses to ever give a bad performance. Sean Connery is action Sean Connery here, which is funny how obvious his stunt double cuts were. ahhh the 90s, it didn't have to be perfect, it just had to be entertaining. Speaking of, Nick Cage is always entertaining, and this might be my favorite action performance from him because his line delivery is top tier here, he will make the most mundane line equal parts quirky and hilarious. Fast paced action, nice shots of the Bay, obligatory San Fran car chase scene, good fight scenes and good deaths. Pure 90s action at its best.

Stellar cast. Stellar plot / story. Stellar acting from ALL. Plenty of action, some humor, and suspense! Need I say more?? Worth at LEAST a rental if you don't want to commit to buying it!!!

The Rock is a pulse-pounding action thriller that blends intense combat, tactical suspense, and star-studded performances. Directed by Michael Bay, the film follows a chemical weapons expert (Nicolas Cage) and a former British spy (Sean Connery) as they attempt to stop rogue military forces from launching deadly gas missiles from Alcatraz Island. Pros: ✅ Sean Connery and Nicolas Cage’s Dynamic Chemistry: Connery’s calm, tactical expertise contrasts beautifully with Cage’s nervous energy, making their partnership both fun and engaging. ✅ Well-Staged Action Sequences: Explosions, gunfights, and hand-to-hand combat are expertly choreographed, delivering Bay’s signature high-intensity spectacle. ✅ Ed Harris as a Nuanced Antagonist: General Hummel isn’t just a villain—his moral dilemma adds depth, making him more than just a typical action-movie bad guy. ✅ Gripping Suspense: The ticking-clock narrative keeps the tension high, ensuring that every confrontation feels meaningful and urgent. Cons: ⚠ Excessive Explosions: While thrilling, the sheer volume of action sequences can feel overwhelming. ⚠ Predictable Plot Elements: The story follows classic military thriller tropes, leaving few surprises beyond the action. ⚠ Over-the-Top Direction: Michael Bay’s signature style—fast cuts and dramatic lighting—can be distracting at times. For fans of high-stakes, adrenaline-fueled action, The Rock is a must-watch, delivering memorable performances, expertly crafted suspense, and a relentless pace.

Michael Bay’s 1996 film, “The Rock,” focuses on a group of rogue US Force Recon Marines, led by General frank Hummell (Ed Harris) and Major Tom Baxter (David Morse), seizing control of Alcatraz Island and taking tourists hostage while threatening to launch rockets containing VX gas at San Francisco unless they receive $100 million to be sent to the families of soldiers who died on clandestine missions. FBI director James Womack (John Spencer) plans to send in a Navy SEAL team to retake the island with Dr. Stanley Goodspeed (Nicolas Cage) to neutralize the VX gas and SAS Captain John Patrick Mason (Sean Connery) as a guide to the prison, where he was once held for stealing classified information. This was Michael Bay’s second feature film following “Bad Boys,” so his camera work and pacing are still more experimental, though some of the low-angle medium shots of characters and sleek establishing shots of cityscapes are instantly recognizable as his style. Since it was 1996, there are also a lot more practical effects and use of elaborate sets and lighting rather than the modern overreliance on CGI, which makes for a better-looking film with more character. Speaking of character, Nic Cage and Sean Connery play off each other well and it’s easy to see Connery’s character as an alternate-universe version of Bond. Ed Harris’ character is a sympathetic villain, so the audience can find themselves agreeing with his motives even as they disagree with his actions. John Spencer is always great and this role precedes his tenure on “The West Wing.” Supposedly, Aaron Sorkin worked as a script-doctor on this and some of the exposition resembles his style. Overall, this is one of Bay’s best films and a lot of fun. Bonus features include an interview with producer Jerry Bruckheimer, an analysis of the special effects as well as a “Movie Magic” episode about it, a look at how Hollywood depicts firearms, excerpts from the documentary “Secrets of Alcatraz,” production drawings, outtakes curated by Michael Bay, and more. It’s a fun action flick, a spiritual sequel to Connery’s “Bond” films, and a great Criterion Collection DVD!

A classic with a fantastic cast. Decent plot but the actors make it great!

My favorite Michael Bay movie. It’saction packed from beginning to the end. It’s kind of like an unofficial 007 movie. I’ve been quoting this movie for years.

Bra Film...

Für mich einer der besten Actionfilme überhaupt. Da passt alles. Das ist Michael Bay Peak. Hier hat er schon bombastisch inszeniert, ohne zu ausschweifend und zu drüber zu sein. Es ist alles dabei an Action, was man von einem Actionfilm erwartet. Die Story ist für einen Actionfilm mehr als ausreichend und packend erzählt. Der Soundtrack von Hans Zimmer einfach nur Hammer. Auch die Schauspielerische Leistung sehr gut. Nicolas Cage als der Chemie Nerd, der zum Helden Widerwillen wird und Sean Connery als in Misskredit geratener Agent. Er kann hier durchaus an seine Rolle als James Bond anknüpfen. (Es gibt ja auch die Theorie, das sei ein inoffizieller Bondfilm, soweit würde ich jetzt nicht gehen, aber Connery spielt hier (im Gegensatz zu anderen Rollen aus der Zeit) mit viel Spielfreude und überzeugend). Auch Ed Harris als vielschichtiger Bösewicht, mit eigentlich guten Absichten, aber den falschen Mitteln, passt sehr gut. Auch die restlichen Rollen sind gut und passend besetzt. Vom Gesamtpaket einfach ein hervorragender Actionfilm, bei dem alles passt und den man sich immer wieder mal anschauen kann, auch wenn man ihn schon mehrmals gesehen hat. Die Blu-Ray hat die gewohnte Qualität. Ist jetzt aber auch nicht speziell. Leider gibts keine 4K Variante, aber dafür kann ja die Blu-Ray an sich nichts. Habe mir die Blu Ray gekauft, weil ich kein Disney Plus mehr habe und den Film sonst nur auf DVD hatte. Da war mir das Upgrade für knapp 7 Euro auf die Blu Ray wert. Fazit: Für mich einer der besten Actionfilme überhaupt, den ich mir immer mal wieder gerne ansehe.

Una dupla inusual, uno de los mejores actores (Sean Connery) y uno de la a más exagerado (Nicolás Cage) juntos en una película palomera.

The Rock is the best action movie ever made in my humble opinion. Accidentally bought a second Blu-ray, so now I have a sealed one :)

面白いです。