Great cast makes this cool action-flick exceptional.

Rating: 10/10 (11 March 2000)

This is easily one of the most satisfying action flick of all time. The plot was decent, action was intense (it's got one of the most memorable car chase scene), and the music is one of the coolest ever. But the real reason why I give this movie a perfect score of 10 is its wonderful cast.
The rather far-fetched motive of General Hummel was so well rendered with conviction by Ed Harris that the audience won't care that it's the lamest excuse anyone has ever come up with to hold a whole city hostage to a deadly chemical weapon. I mean, the cause itself is noble, but threatening to kill millions with the VX gas?? Even for a bluff, it was pretty lame. But did I care? Ed Harris is so overflowing with authority and charisma that I might follow his orders even without the promise of million bucks pay.
And the chemistry between Nick Cage and Sean Connery is magical; you just gotta love the dialogue between the two. All the one-liners and witty comebacks that could sound extremely cheesy by lesser actors are delivered to perfection. And that little remark about John Mason (Sean Connery) being trained by the best -- the British Intelligence -- brought back the memories of James Bond. Gotta love it.
Even the supporting cast was wonderful at their roles. The mercenary marines were especially cool in their crazed bloodlust. And Commander Anderson, played by Michael Biehn, was simply amazing. I mean, there wasn't a single lame actor who took me out of my suspended disbelief.
It ain't a movie that'll make you cry or think or whatever. This is a pure entertainment movie. A great action movie cooked to perfection. Action flicks don't get much better than this.