The Rock

Sean Connery made this film. His Mason is a truly desolate version of James Bond after 30 years in prison. His sarcasm and dry humor are simply great, and when I say that despite being at the retirement age, Connery does not lose the sparkle and viability of his youth, I am not far from the truth. Michael Bay did his job decently, and I would like to kick his ass for the occasional pathetic blabbering, which is underscored by agitation compositions with the American flag and an F-18, but I have to say that the film flows very nicely. If it wasn't for the great actors, it would be barely as good... unfortunately, the "villain" Ed Harris is extraordinarily likable, and "good guy" Connery is totally incalculable, so there is fun to be had. Add the possibly overacting neurotic Cage, great editing (especially the opening sequence with the warehouse robbery is excellently rhythmic), Hans Zimmer's perfect soundtrack, and we can fill the hole left by the starlet missing from the film from Connery's stockpile. Here we have action relaxation with style. (05/12/2004)

I've seen The Rock many times and I wouldn't say it's that much better than other action movies. Of course, Bay has proved what a masterful director he is, the technical aspect is a real feast for the eyes, and Connery and Cage deliver brilliant performances. But it's a bit spoiled by the cliched script, and, overall, it's kind of a copy of all other action movies. So why am I giving it five stars? There is one, absolutely crucial aspect. It’s Hans Zimmer's music, which perfectly captures the whole atmosphere of the movie and makes it an absolutely unforgettable work. If I were to name a movie with the best soundtrack ever, it would be The Rock. In hindsight, having seen other movies with Zimmer’s soundtrack, I could say this about each and every one of them, but none of them are as memorable. (10/09/2012)

A nostalgic hit that, even after all these years, is a textbook example of a confidently and effectively directed action story. It has insight, great actors and an amazing pace, which in some moments is taken by the brilliantly combined and outrageous Zimmer soundtrack to the experiential gates of the most luxurious genre pieces. BUT at the same time, everything is so very half-assed, absurd and somehow machine-like – from the characters themselves, each of whom defines exactly a certain popular archetype, to the very stupid dialogue to some of Bay's traditional formal gimmicks (fire after almost every impact) – that The Rock is really nothing more than a cleverly manipulative and audiovisually handsome B-movie for any audience on any intellectual level. What's more, some of the action scenes, however impressive and cool, are awkwardly edited and slowed down, which takes away from their realism and gives them a cold character. But hand on heart, you simply won't find a more thoroughbred and entertaining 90s action flick anywhere else... 80% (03/09/2012)

The Rock is a widely revered action movie. In visual terms, it is an example of great genre craftsmanship. It’s dynamically edited, filmed through cool filters, contains one of the best car chases ever (Hummer vs. yellow Ferrari on the streets of San Francisco), and it has likable and well-cast good-guy characters. But... it doesn't have a proper bad guy (!!!) and everything in it is so artificially timed and polished that I was never in suspense, I didn’t fear for the protagonists and I thus didn’t care what would happen next. Formalistically overwrought and formulaic banality. (06/05/2002)

Today, Bay is considered one of the most twisted megalomaniacs of the dream factory, and I must admit that his exaggerated grandiosity still genuinely entertains me. Among his best films, this high-octane, adrenaline-fueled ride will forever remain the one that perfectly defines the action films of the 1990s. The technical aspects may have their flaws, but it has a clever screenplay that makes fun of the 'Bond myth' and cleverly puts together all those clichés with incredible elegance and simplicity. That means that there's no point in getting upset about it. However, the main strength lies in the cast and Bay's directorial engine, which runs at impressive speeds. The opening ambush scene is rhythmically (the cinematography, editing, music) probably the best I've ever seen in the genre. And Hans Zimmer has never made more heroic music. I've never seen any other movie more times in my life. It’s been around 60 times. (23/08/2003)