Rock, The (Criterion 2 disc set) (US)

Yay!

Content:- Well I hate to say it....but.....this film (wait for it).........ROCKS! Well it does dammit. It`s my favourite of all the Bay/Bruckheimer films, or more importantly the only one I actually properly like. The action is fantastic, the acting superb (brilliant work from Big Tam), and all strung together with one of the most motivating scores of recent years. Well worth buying the soundtrack on CD for this film. Also this film isnt actually totally stupid like certain other films (Armageddon rings a bell) and even maintains a certain air of realism, although not totally. Very rewatchable. Good stuff.

Video:- A damn nice print here that looks excellent. There was a bit of grain and dirt noticable at the start, but nothing to worry about. That seemed to go away or either become hidden later on in the film though. This transfer does look pretty fantastic though. Very vibrant, and particularly sexy during the many dark scenes. The blacks were very black, which is always a good thing. Top marks here.

Audio:- Quite simply one of the best soundtracks I have ever heard. Right from the start when the `The Rock` logo screams past you - you know that this is something special. I listened to the DD5.1 track which was absolutely brilliant. Lots of bass, lots of surround use and all very crisp and clear. It really sounds absolutely fantastic when that score kicks in though. God knows what the DTS track must be like! I wish I knew. Very much top marks here.

Features:- Well strangely I felt it was a little sparse in this department. I haven`t had the chance to listen to the commentry yet but I got the impression on the 2nd disc, `The Vault`, that this was a case of quality over quantity. There is some very interesting and intelligent stuff here though. I just get the feeling they could have packed more of it in, but still. A good show all the same.

Overall:- Reference quality audio and visuals combined with a cracking little film (when I say little I actually mean enormous, but you knew that) with a pretty decent set of extras. Well worth your money, no doubt about it.

The rock is a highly entertaining action film from director Michael Bay and producer Jerry Bruckheimer. I`m not a fan of them but this happens to be a good action film with big action set pieces with Nicolas Cage trying his best to be the latest
Bruce Willis (And he pulls it off) and Sean Connery back in Bond mode but with a twist.
Criterion have delivered yet another good package, the picture is brilliant and the sound excellent, the DTS track sounds great especially with the load soundtrack and gunfire.
The special Features are good offering a range of documentaries and `Hollywood Gunplay` which is quite entertaining.

The Rock is a fantastic action film and Michael Bay`s best film to date.

As with most Hollywood actioners there is a great load of action and not much plot, which doesn`t really matter when the film itself is this entertaining. Top performances from Connery, Cage and Ed Harris add to the entertainment value.

The visuals are great as is the sound but the extra features are just good. There is some very interesting stuff on here with the BTS documentaries and Ed Harris totally losing it in the outtakes was also pretty good. But, I have heard a few things about some of the stuff deleted from the Rock and these deleted scenes would have been a very welcome addition.

On the whole a top DVD. Even though it is a very expensive exercise.

I could go on and on about this film and its director and how great it is but I think I can sum this film up in two words, ******* AMAZING. This is an essential dvd to own and should be owned by everyone. A true classic on a extras packed double disc set

Feature:

The Rock is one of the better collaberations between Michael Bay and Jerry Bruckhiemer. In fact it`s their only decent film that they have done together. But all the ingredients are here to make The Rock a good action film. In-your-face action thrills and spills, loud music, a disturbing love for all things military, and their hardware and old and new star power. The plot is this, General Hummel (Ed Harris) a highly decorated soldier takes control of Alcatraz, along with his team of crack commando`s holding 81 people hostage and then goes and points rockets with a deadly gas in them towards San Francisco. So the FBI send in ex-Alcatraz inmate John Mason
(Sean `Bond` Connery) and jittery FBI Agent Goodspead (Nic Cage) as they and a team of Navy Seals try to regain control of the missles and of the prison it`s self. Great all round action film with some big action set pieces to keep you entertained.

Sound:

An outstanding DTS track, which has the edge over the Dolby, though Dolby is still good.

Picture:

Great picture

Extras:

It`s Criterion so we have a decent array of extras, The commentary, which you can tell was not recorded by every one together, though it`s actually very good. The `Movie Magic`
is a 22 minute feature on the digital effects of the film. `On The range` hows Navy Seal Harry Humphries as he trains with guns. The other gun feature `the do`s and don`ts of hollywood gunplay` is brilliant ad you can just imagine trigger happy Americans taking notes. The interview with Jerry Bruckhiemer is also good ad very revealing. Overall a good selection of extras.