The Rock (film)

The Rock is a 1996 American action thriller film directed by Michael Bay, produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, and starring Sean Connery, Nicolas Cage, and Ed Harris. The film follows a U.S. Marine Corps general who, disillusioned with the government's treatment of soldiers, leads a rogue team to seize Alcatraz Island, taking tourists hostage and threatening to launch rockets filled with VX nerve gas into San Francisco unless their demands are met.

The film centers on the unlikely pairing of Stanley Goodspeed (Cage), a FBI chemical weapons expert, and John Patrick Mason (Connery), a former British SAS captain and the only prisoner to ever escape Alcatraz. Together, they are tasked with infiltrating the island and disarming the rockets before the terrorists can carry out their threat.

The plot involves complex themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the consequences of military action. The film is noted for its fast-paced action sequences, impressive stunts, and the strong performances of its lead actors. The Rock was a commercial success, grossing over $335 million worldwide, and received generally positive reviews, praising its action and performances, although some criticized its screenplay. The film is considered a classic of the action genre and helped solidify Michael Bay's reputation as a director of large-scale action films. The musical score was composed by Hans Zimmer and Nick Glennie-Smith.