Review of Rock, The (Criterion 2 disc set)

Introduction

Criterion are legendary in the DVD and laserdisc community for their high quality releases which are usually considered to be the definitive versions of the films released. Criterion concentrate on “important classic and contemporary” films, and it was a very pleasant surprise to see The Rock announced as a Criterion release.

Featuring a knock-out cast including Nicolas Cage, Sean Connery and Ed Harris, the film is best described as an action spectacular that has the Cage and Connery teaming up against Harris who has taken 81 hostages on Alcatraz and is threatening San Francisco with stolen chemical weapons.

Video

Video comes in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen and is of an exceptionally high standard throughout the film. There is a little dirt evident at the very start, but after that the print is clean, sharp, detailed and very impressive.

Visually, this film is superb, very stylishly made, with seamless special effects and some great action in both San Francisco and Alcatraz itself. The highly entertaining car chase in San Francisco is of particular note, but the action throughout the film is fantastic, with little let-up in the pace during the film`s 136 minutes.

Audio

There’s a choice of Dolby Digital 5.1 or DTS on the disc – I watched with the DTS soundtrack selected, and I wasn’t disappointed. From the moment the film starts you know you are in for treat as the excellent action movie score pumps from all speakers, with fantastic dynamic range and power.

Throughout the film, you’re treated to music and effects from all directions – this is a noisy movie, and replayed through a good system it sounds fantastic. This is what home cinema systems were designed for!

The dialogue is clear and understandable throughout the movie.

Features

Criterion releases are famed for their quality extras and The Rock is no exception.

The film comes on disc 1 along with a commentary track that features Michael Bay, Jerry Bruckheimer, Nicolas Cage and Ed Harris (it’s a shame there’s no input from Connery…)

Disc 2 contains the remaining extras with include an interview with Bruckheimer, special effects analysis, a “Movie Magic” program about the special effects, a “Dos and Don’ts of Hollywood gunplay” feature, some excerpts from a documentary “secrets of Alcatraz”, storyboards, drawings, stills, trailers, TV spots, outtakes and footage from the premiere.

The film is packed in a double-case which contains the excellent production notes and details of the 32 chapter breaks.

Conclusion

The Rock was always a great piece of entertainment, and it is elevated to new heights on this superb DVD. The visuals and sound are of reference quality, and the extras are fantastic.

Whilst the film contains non-stop action, it needs strong characters to stand out from the crowd, and Cage, Connery and Harris are brilliant in their respective roles. Connery’s on-screen presence is breathtaking and his relationship with Cage provides continual hilarity – it’s on-par with the Connery-Ford partnership in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade! Harris, as usual, is superb, this time playing a bad-guy and the supporting cast all do their bit with no weak links.

Criterion releases always carry a price-premium, but as usual you won’t be disappointed with the quality of the product. Recommended.