Not Solid but Hard Enough.

Rating: 6/10 (25 June 2015)

The Rock (1996): Dir: Michael Bay / Cast: Nicolas Cage, Sean Connery, Ed Harris, Claire Forlani, Michael Biehn: Electrifying action film with a title that symbolizes Sean Connery whom no one is sure of but must rely on. Ed Harris leads troops into an isolated prison and holds everyone hostage. He demands money for reparations to the families of the American servicemen killed in covert operations. Nicolas Cage plays a chemical expert sent to disarm the missiles and Connery is the only convict to escape the prison. Deadly gas missiles are aimed at San Francisco where Connery's daughter lives. Fine concept nearly derailed by a mindless chase scene and several shootouts. Director Michael Bay handles the action but the story is merely a parking lot for those scenes to locate and explode. Cage fares well as a chemist under pressure, while Connery is excellent as an unstoppable force. We know where this is all headed because films of this sort need to end nicely after a massive mess. Ed Harris is a refreshing surprise after standard footage becomes altogether shifted in motives. Claire Forlani appears as Connery's daughter who will eventually have to come to mends especially since he wrecks havoc in a senseless car chase to locate her. Michael Biehn plays a fellow soldier who plans to go through with the whole threat. Exaggerated action with rock solid stunts. Score: 6 / 10