The Rock (1996)

The Rock (1996) is a solid action-packed ride from start to finish. The plot is straightforward but executed well, with a strong first act that sets everything up nicely. The pacing keeps things moving without dragging, and there's a good balance between intense action and quieter moments that build character relationships. The script is solid, delivering sharp dialogue and a few memorable lines that stick with you long after the credits roll.
Michael Bay’s direction is exactly what you’d expect, high-energy, explosive, and visually dynamic. The cinematography has that gritty yet polished look that works perfectly for this kind of movie, making the action sequences feel immersive and intense. Bay’s signature camera movements and framing give everything a larger-than-life feel, keeping the tension high. The sound design and score are fantastic, elevating the emotional beats and the action without overpowering the scenes.
The performances are a big part of what makes The Rock work so well. Sean Connery has an undeniable screen presence, bringing charisma and weight to his role, while Nicolas Cage delivers a strong performance that balances his character’s intelligence and unpredictability. Ed Harris also stands out, adding depth to a character that could have easily been one-dimensional. With great action sequences, strong performances, and a tight script, The Rock is a top-tier action movie that holds up incredibly well.

Right, first things first - turn your brain down to simmer for a couple of hours before you watch this and just remember it is meant to be a far-fetched action film. Once in that gear, it's not actually that bad once it eventually gets going. Rogue general "Hummel" (Ed Harris) steals some highly potent chemical weapons, takes some hostages on Alcatraz and points his weapons at San Francisco. It falls to FBI biochemist "Goodspeed" (Nicolas Cage) and the even more rogue prisoner "Mason" (Sean Connery) to take some marines and thwart this lethal attack. None of the acting here is any good - they are all pretty shocking, but once everyone is entrenched on the island, there are plenty of pyrotechnics, the pace picks up and this becomes mildly entertaining for the last half hour. The dialogue is full of typical ye-ha nonsense, and that grates after a while, and there is precisely no jeopardy at any point. Whatever you do, don't have any epidermal exposure... or cerebral expectations.