The Rock - Criterion Collection

Rating:
Summary: Criterion gives proper DVD treatment to The Rock.
Review: Buena Vista released The Rock as a movie-only edition back in 1998 and anyone who knows their DVD must have been less-than enthusiastic about the release (this reviewer included), and hoped that someday the film would be revisted with a special edition release. Fortunately, that day has come! This new Criterion DVD release features a 2.35:1 matted widescreen presentation, anamorphically enhanced for 16x9 televisions, something which was sorely missed from the Buena Vista disc. This disc also has a new Dolby Digital 5.1 surround mix, which is a remixed track of the original 5.1 mix on the Buena Vista disc, which was rather good, this track just improves on it. Criterion, doesn't stop there though, a DTS 5.1 surround mix has been added for your sonic pleasure. And for a film such as this, both audio surround tracks are a welcome addition, especially the DTS track which was newly-remixed and digitally mastered specifically for this Criterion DVD.

The area where this Criterion version really puts Buena Vista's to shame is in the special features department. Now for people who own the Criterion laserdisc of this film, these extra features might seem familiar. But for first-time viewers of the Criterion release of this film, you'll be very pleased with the extras you get here. Supplements abound on the second disc in this 2-DVD set, you'll have hours of enjoyment sifting through all of the extras presented in this package. The only gripe I have about this disc is the commentary track recorded for the film. Sean Connery is suprisingly absent from it. Which, for me at least is a disappointment. But that's only a minor gripe, this disc is one of the best Criterion has relased for a film on DVD. So throw out your old Buena Vista DVD/VHS/LD copies of The Rock, and get this Criterion DVD. I highly recommend it, especially if your a fan of this film.

Rating:
Summary: The ROCK....long time in the waiting list.
Review: This is what I was waiting for. A nice anamorphic and clear DTSsound for one of my favorite movies THE ROCK. I never got my handsinto the first DVD release, although I was tempted but somehow i knewthat there was gonna be a release like this one.

If you like themovie buy it, if you're a Sean Connery and/or Nicolas Cage fan this isa must have.

and still this is a must.

Rating:
Summary: A must - have DVD
Review: When I first saw The Rock on its DVD version, I got more than disappointed for the lack of extras. But finally, The Rock - Criterion Collection (1996) has arrived.

With the profetic DTS Surround Sound and Widescreen format, this 2 disc set worth of fans.

You will find an excepcional sound, tons of extras and a high video quality of this must-have movie.

Rating:
Summary: What`s better?
Review: The Rock - Decision on Alcatraz

When you love big action movies and big (and good!) actors, then you are more as just happy with this one! I waited a long time for this release! (Special edition with making of and some great stills and production designs!) When I first saw THE ROCK, for me it was very clear, that this movie will be best action- and I guess, best voltage-Movie ever! I can see it all the time again! Thank you to Criterion!

Rating:
Summary: Wait for Criterion Collection DVD
Review: This is one of the few action movies I think still holds up and this DVD presents it pretty well but there are basically no little extra things on it. Wait for the Criterion DVD to come out. It will more than likely have an anamorphic transfer (since they started doing that), great sound and it will also have a lot of extras like a history on Alcatraz, outtakes and of course a commentary. But unless you really have to have it and don't care for supplements, you can't go wrong with this disc.

Rating:
Summary: Love Action Films/Hate Action Films - doesn't matter!!
Review: By far the best mainstream action film I have ever seen. I am no action film buff and certainly am no action film watcher by choice (I compromise and watch some occasionally and my boyfriend lives through Martha Stewart), but I absolutely LOVE this movie.

It has all your typical elements of a Hollywood, cash cow, cookie cutter movie; former good guy gone wacky for what seems to him an honorable cause, hostages, a seemlessly planned terrorist attack, looks like there's no hope when the trained anti-terrorists get killed, average joe blow saves the day driven by the thought of his pregnant girlfriend. However, it thankfully skips the atypical action acting element of Arnold, Sylvester, and John Claude and is replaced with a humorous Cage, believeable Harris, and sexy Connery.

Admittedly, it has some great action sequences, though I thought the San Fran car chase seen had it's cheesey moments.

A-list cast, great action, and memorable writing (I often quote some one-liners from this film), make this movie a definite staple to our DVD collection.

Rating:
Summary: INCREDABLE
Review: Okay the dvd features on this movie are pretty weak but the movie outweighs it. The story about a marine general out to make right with the goverments wrongs. At times you see yourself rooting for the general. Then theirs Stanley Goodspeed(Cage) who is a chemical expert along with John Mason(Connery). Who fight along side to take down the general. Another big plus is the score by Hans Zimmerman. His musical themes are cool as always. He many incredable themes to go along with the situation. If you buy the dvd you should buy the soundtrack as well. I believe it is one of the best acted action movie that I have seen. I strongly recommend it. The only reason why not 5 stars is the weak dvd features.

Rating:
Summary: the rock
Review: i think the rock is a great film i watch it every day and if anyone can tell me the name of the theme music pleise contact me at [e-mail]

Rating:
Summary: Awesome movie...
Review: This movie has several action packed scenes for all of you who love action movies. It has three of the greatest actors around: Sean Connery, Ed Harris, and Nicolas Cage. I am for the Marines on there patriotic beliefs in this movie, but nothing else. You have to watch this movie to see what I am talking about. It is absolutely a great movie and it kinda makes you think. HOO-YAH! Thank all war veterans.

Rating:
Summary: San Francisco Rock 'n' Roll
Review: [Subtract a star if your plots must be plausible.]

Stanley Goodspeed (Nicolas Cage) -- what is this, a James Bond movie? -- is a chemical and biological expert for the FBI. This is a guy who admits that he likes his job and it shows. When he's thrown into a perilous situation, he gets off on finding a way out. He's about to get off BIG TIME.

General Francis X. Hummel (Ed Harris) has had enough. He's led Marines in highly covert operations. His men have given their lives for their country and now their country disavows(!) their actions and discards their families. Gen. Harris has tried in vain to get the government to listen. Now, he's gonna make them listen.

Hummel has assembled a crack team of commandos. First, he and his team break into a military chemical facility and steal a form of nerve gas called VX. This is pretty bad stuff. When one of his team jostled and drops one of the pellets, he gets sealed in the vault and we get to watch his skin boil and melt while he begs to be let out.

When we next see Hummel and his comrades, they're taking the tour of Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay. Before you know it, Hummel is letting the park ranger know that the tour is over. He lets the Government know that he wants reparations or there's gonna be lots of skin boiling in San Francisco.

Enter John Patrick Mason (Sean Connery) -- maybe it IS a James Bond movie. Mason is a federal prisoner. We soon learn that Mason had actually escaped from Alcatraz even though it was generally thought that Alcatraz was inescapable. It becomes Mason's job to lead Goodspeed and a team of Navy SEALS onto Alcatraz and free the tourist hostages and save San Francisco's citizens.

The Rock is not only an action movie, but it's funny as well. You'll love the relationship between Cage and Connery. Also, what about the mysterious (and hostile) relationship between Mason and an FBI special agent (John Spencer)? What does the agent know about Mason that he doesn't want any one else to know. The Rock works in so many wacko conspiracy theories about the Government that you'll enjoy figuring out which ones they left out.

The Rock is a great summer diversion. Despite some goofy scenarios, the relationship of Mason and Goodspeed will carry the day. Plus, there's TONS of action in this movie. It's nearly non-stop, especially when Mason and the FBI nearly destroy San Francisco on their own.

Spend a few bucks and enjoy. I recommend it!

[Originally written 29 June 1996]