The Rock (R, 1996)

When ex-marines plan a nerve gas attack on San Francisco via a stakeout on Alcatraz, the US government calls on two men to help save the day. Stanley Goodspeed (Nicholas Cage), a sassy nuclear weapon expert is teamed up with John Mason (Sean Connery), the only man who ever escaped from Alcatraz. General Hummel (Ed Harris) leads the ex-marine charge to seek monetary reparations for families of forgotten soldiers killed during covert operations. San Francisco is in the hands of Goodspeed and Mason and their team, and soon the city by the bay is besieged by explosions, car chases, shoot-out scenes, and an out-of-control trolley.

As expected from Jerry Bruckheimer (Producer) and Michael Bay (Director) who have teamed up before in Bad Boys, Pearl Harbor, and Armageddon, THE ROCK is a high-octane action flick. Over-the-top explosions and cheesy one-liners make this film typical Hollywood. This increases entertainment value, but it brings nothing new to the table and the plot is predictable. Another flaw is the over-used "good cop/bad cop" cliché.

If you want action and entertainment, THE ROCK delivers, but if you want something more than predictable Hollywood, it may not be the film for you. It contains vulgar language and lots of violence, but mature teenagers and adults could find it highly entertaining.

Studio: Buena Vista
Director: Michael Bay
Cast: Ed Harris, Nicolas Cage, Sean Connery
Genre: Action/Adventure
Run time: 136 minutes
Theatrical release: January 1, 1996
DVD release: December 2, 1997
MPAA Rating: R
MPAA explanation: strong violence, language and a sex scene