Today in 1965, Michael Bay was born.
Synopsis
The Rock is an action thriller that follows FBI Special Agent Stanley Goodspeed (played by Nicolas Cage) and former British intelligence operative John Mason (played by Sean Connery) as they team up to foil the plans of General Francis X. Hummel (played by Ed Harris) to launch chemical weapons from Alcatraz Island.
Why Today?
February 17, 1965, is director Michael Bay's birthday. Bay is best known for his bombastic style, often featuring explosive action sequences and high-octane visual spectacles. While his films are often critically polarizing, he is a very commercially successful master of high-octane action films.
We'll opt for arguably his best film—and one featured in the Criterion Collection—The Rock. Featuring a loaded starring and supporting cast, it's filled with thrilling action sequences and is a high mark of 90s action films. It distills the essence of Michael Bay's signature style without veering into the excesses of his later works.