The Rock

When a decorated Marine general seizes Alcatraz and arms the old prison with stolen chemical warheads aimed at San Francisco, the government scrambles for an unusual solution. The FBI pairs Dr. Stanley Goodspeed, a brilliant but inexperienced chemical weapons expert, with John Patrick Mason, a notorious inmate who knows the island inside out. The two men have different skills and motives, and they have to coordinate quickly to get past fortified defenses, Hummel's disciplined troops, and a shrinking timeframe. The film keeps its focus on fast action, tactical problem solving, and the uneasy partnership that develops between its unlikely heroes. Expect fast pacing, loud set pieces and heroics.

Released in 1996, The Rock was directed by Michael Bay and written by Douglas S. Cook, David Weisberg, and Mark Rosner. It assembled a high-profile cast led by Sean Connery, Nicolas Cage, and Ed Harris for a big-screen action spectacle.

The Rock performed strongly at the box office, becoming one of Michael Bay's early mainstream hits. Its blend of star power and explosive set pieces drew wide audiences, cementing the director's reputation for large-scale, effects-driven action filmmaking and broad appeal.

The Rock left a mark on 1990s action cinema, pairing Sean Connery's old-school charisma with Nicolas Cage's unpredictable energy. Scenes set on Alcatraz and the film's set-piece approach turned into reference points for later action films, and the movie remains a go-to example of glossy, star-driven blockbuster entertainment for fans.

Critics gave the film mixed to positive reviews, reflected in an average user vote of 7.139 out of 10. Reviewers praised the action and chemistry between Connery and Cage while noting some plot conveniences. The Rock foregrounds loyalty, retribution, and the fallout of military decisions and features strong practical stunts.