One of the Greatest Action films of all time.......

Rating: 10/10 (2 March 2009)

It was the mid-1990's and that decade plus the 1980's were perhaps the only times when films had action plus real characters and a real story to go along with it. When it became the 2000's the action genre got dumbed down into 80-90 minute shoot 'em up's and things were never the same.
But at least we have multiple films to remember the era when action/thriller films were at their prime, and The Rock is a perfect example to define that.
Nowadays, people always criticize Michael Bay for making unwatchable garbage (Pearl Harbor, Armageddon)....but this is before he screwed himself up big time, although 2007's "Transformers" wasn't that bad either....but anyway, everything about The Rock is so freaking cool and likable. The casting of Nicolas Cage and Sean Connery couldn't have been any better. Nicolas Cage has usually been getting a lot of flak for being a "performer" rather than an "actor" meaning he's always been acting goofy and over-the-top. But it's that exact reason why it works so well, 'cause his character is basically a chemical weapons geek, and that's what the stereotypical nerd is like. For example, "''I just wanna find some *rockets*!''".....Cage puts in some perfect facial expressions and mannerisms in here.
Connery is great and believable as the tough former British spy and frequently verbally abuses Goodspeed (Cage) during their mission on the island. And that makes some pretty good tension which is a great thing to add in a movie along with the action. Also, Ed Harris is great as the moral General who sees using a major threat as being necessary to avenge the forgotten memories of his own former soldiers, and who knows? You might find yourself to feel sympathy for him.
SPOILERS- The car chase scene in this one might remind a lot of viewers of the one in "Bullitt" 'cause of all the ups and downs.....but since it's the 90's it's a lot more enjoyable. And the action also has some emotion to go along with it, such as the bathroom scene when all the Navy SEALS get slaughtered with all the slow motion and soft music...and the part when the President of the United States gives a heartfelt speech to himself before ordering the attack on the island.
I've enjoyed this movie a lot and I'm sure you will too. Right now, I have it on DVD and I consider it a staple in my action film collection. Watch it and be forever amazed.....