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The first time that I watched this film, I was left with somewhat less than a positive impression. I thought that maybe I missed or misinterpreted an important scene and therefore lost the gist of what had occurred. So I watched it again, and have come to the conclusion that aside from the big name actors who were in this film, and the great special effects, that I was right the first time. The story is about a retired Military General, Francis Hummel (Ed Harris) who has decided to cross over to the dark side and become a terrorist/mercenary, and along with expertly trained military team, steals a chemical substance so terrible, that just a small quantity will kill everybody in the entire San Francisco Bay area. They steal a missile system and set it up on Alcatraz Island. After taking 81 tourist and guides hostage, he demands $100M or he will launch his missiles on San Francisco. The FBI sends a team of Seals, and a chemical weapons expert, Stanley Goodspeed (Nicolas Cage), who is totally inexperienced at practically everything to San Francisco. Another man being considered for this team is John Mason (Sean Connery). He is a man who has been held for years by the government. He was some sort of British secret spy who was captured years ago after stealing very sensitive U.S. secrets. He apparently was the only man to ever successfully escape from Alcatraz. Now they want him to lead the Seal team back inside to recapture the island and defuse the situation. Somehow the entire Seal team gets wiped out, and Mason, who having been in prison for decades, all of a sudden at 60+ years of age, turns into a man with the reaction time and agility of a twenty year old, and like James Bond, turns into a killing machine. Between him and Stanley "Stupid", they pull off the impossible. This plan was totally unbelievable. In a real life situation like this, those 81 hostages would have been deemed 100% expendable before any chance would have been taken with the three-million lives of the Bay Area. If you like James Bond type movies, this was similar to one. Nicolas Cage was just a little to "hammy" for this part. Another actor, perhaps, Kevin Costner, could have done a better job with this role.Read full review
We bought this movie because of the great cast: Nicolas Cage, Sean Connery, Ed Harris, and Michael Bien just to name a few. The story is pure Hollywood and scary as heck if it were to really happen, but the witty dialogue and snappy comebacks are hilarious between action sequences. It's also one of our favorite Cage movies. He is in his element as an Elvis loving, science "super freak", as he calls himself in the film. His momentum building tirades are priceless and added to Connery's laid back "I could kill you if I wanted to" attitude this movie is a real gem. It is very violent and context is too adult for kids, so be aware. Language is also adult, but quite funny. It's fun, fast moving and will keep you on the edge of your seats.
When a disgruntled General feels things are going wrong and has the men to back him up, well, thats when you need to call in the cavalry. In this case, its a IRA mastermind and a FBI geek with little real world experience. However, it works out in the end.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
The video for the movie The Rock is in a display that is 8.5" wide x 12.5" length so it does not take up the whole screen of your laptop, not even the widescreen version. So if you order a widescreen movie of The Rock do not expect it to cover like other widescreen DVD's. The measurements on a TV would be different.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Much too violent for my liking - and with a theme ranging unsteadily around a military/undercover/impossible odds type of beat, you can be forgiven for thinking that it's just another disaster movie. Disaster threatens from almost the start as the good guys, Connery and Cage, take on an elite company of U.S. marines and, naturally, win. The movie is jerky and cliched throughout and never really caught me in spite of the presence of Sean Connery who has proven yet again that he can provide a spark in the dirtiest of dishwater conditions. Lots of action which is likely to appeal to younger viewers but this is clearly not for the very young. An interesting plot with possibilities but totally wasted in my opinion. Awful characterizations, except perhaps for Connery. The violence is both extreme, gratuitous and unimaginative. It's also totally unbelievable, and no, I don't see why movies have to be made like this. If I rate it at 3 stars it is because I have been advised that it was a forerunner stylistically. Let's hope the genre has improved!Read full review
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