The Rock (1996)

Director Michael Bay has become something of a punchline in Hollywood these days. His films are filled with explosions. Lots of explosions. And military hardware. And slow motion. You can check any film in his filmography — Armageddon, Bad Boys, and Pearl Harbor to name a few — and you’ll see what I mean. His history directing music videos prior to working on feature films no doubt played a role in his style. But, before he was defined solely by these traits, Bay did manage to make a movie worthy of The Criterion Collection. That movie is The Rock.

Ed Harris plays General Francis Hummel, a Medal of Honor recipient who is angered by the U.S. government’s policy of not properly compensating the families of soldiers who’ve died doing the country’s dirty work. To protest this, he and a group of renegade U.S. Marines steal missiles loaded with chemical weapons and hole up in Alcatraz. Pointing the rockets at San Francisco, Hummel and his men demand a $100 million payment be made to the families or they’ll launch them and kill thousands of innocent people.

Instead of negotiating with Hummel, the government assembles a team of Navy SEALS to infiltrate the prison. With them is Stanley Goodspeed (Nicolas Cage,) an FBI-trained biochemist who happens to know how to defuse bombs. To get Goodspeed and the SEAL team into Alcatraz, the FBI promises freedom to an incarcerated John Mason (Sean Connery,) the only man to ever escape the prison. That is, if they can convince him to lead them in.

Yes, the film has crazy, implausible action scenes with plenty of Michael Bay’s trademark explosions and military fetishism. But, honestly, unlike Bay’s later films, what I took away from it are moments between characters: Ed Harris’ interactions with his men. Connery and Cage’s interplay. And, well, Connery talking with anyone he’s on-screen with. The characterizations might not be very deep but they’re engaging. And when Connery’s involved, they’re a lot of fun.

Despite their age difference, the 32-year-old Cage and the 65-year-old Connery made an excellent on-screen duo. Cage’s gonzo acting style combined with Connery’s savoir faire might sound like oil and water but, somehow, it feels natural and it works well. (According to IMDb, Connery agreed to sign on to the picture when he heard he’d be working with Cage.)

There is some groan-worthy dialogue and some obvious gaffes involving Connery’s stunt double but these are minor quibbles compared to the end product. If you’re looking for a mindless adventure movie, The Rock is an absolute blast. Pun intended.