Solid as its namesake

Rating: 8/10 (9 June 2005)

When ex-military General Hummel (Ed Harris) takes 80 hostages at Alcatraz prison and threatens to kill the population of San Francisco with nerve gas if their ransom money is not delivered, the US government rushes into action. They deduce that the best way to sneak in undetected is a minimal attack force led by a high profile chemist (Nicholas Cage) and a wily convicted criminal, (Sean Connery) the only man to ever successfully escape from Alcatraz as an inmate.
When a movie bears the name Michael Bay, we have now come to instantly associate that movie with ACTION. Fast moving, very thinly stretched plots, pounding rock music, tons of car chases and, of course, lots of explosions are sure to follow. But The Rock is, in my opinion, Bay's best film to this point (we'll see if this summer's The Island will surpass it) because it never attempts to be anything other than one it is - a Michael Bay action film. None of the disgustingly sappy American patriotism of Pearl Harbor, nor the offensive, borderline racism of the Bad Boys films is present here - just a good, solid action movie which never attempts to be anything more profound than entertaining.
Sean Connery is perfectly cast as John Patrick Mason, the contemptuous criminal, enlisted to help save San Francisco by the government he despises so, and he fills the screen with his indomitable, natural charisma. Nicholas Cage gives a decent performance as the shy chemist who is finally called on to be a hero. (although he seems to have difficulty determining the difference between loud and dramatic in tense scenes) Contrary to most action movies, Cage's Dr. Stanley Goodspeed and Connery's Mason are actually given some basic character development: Goodspeed fearing throughout the whole movie, not only for his wife's safety, but for the fact that she is worrying about him regardless of if he succeeds or not, and Mason in a subplot involving his long lost daughter. Finally, Ed Harris is also a good casting call as the bitter general, demanding retribution for years of maltreatment during his military career. He is also given some decent character development - almost immediately, we find that despite his bitter attitude the General is a good man, not really intending to fire the nerve gas, and avoiding a body count at all possible occasions. David Morse also stands out as Hummel's intelligent and loyal second in command.
So overall, The Rock is just your basic no-brainer action film, made better by the strong performances from the good cast, and Bay's steady directorial hand throughout. It's worth seeing, and doesn't even have a dimwitted enough plot to insult your intelligence! Just keep in mind that even though The Rock requires more conscious thought than the average action movie, it is still a Michael Bay movie... so prepare for explosions.
-8/10