Michael Bay's The Rock boasts solid credentials. In my review of The Abyss, I observed how Michael Biehn's performance didn't feel mean enough. Thankfully, Bay allows this actor to correct this earlier misstep.

Recently widowed, General Francis Hummel (Ed Harris) has lived with the knowledge that men slain under his command have been denied compensation for their families. So, he decides to take the most drastic step. Gathering a group of loyal men, he seizes control of Alcatraz island (including 81 hostages), while threatening a missile attack on San Francisco. Meanwhile, FBI director Womack (John Spencer) opts for the best countermeasure. In this case, he must release British officer John Patrick Mason (Sean Connery). The latter's knowledge of secret tunnels underneath Alcatraz proves invaluable to Navy SEAL Commander Anderson (Biehn) and chemical weapons specialist Stanley Goodspeed (Nicolas Cage).

Significantly, Biehn's verbal standoff against Harris represents one of the most compelling moments from The Rock. Both actors shared the screen in The Abyss, so their previous experience informs what happens here. Of the two, I would say the former comes out the strongest.

Although Bay's reputation has sunk without trace -- critics just love him -- he pulls off the stunt coverage, explosions, fights, macho dialogue and huge close-ups in The Rock with extreme confidence. I applaud his efficiency.

In terms of acting, the whole cast goes a long way toward ensuring this film's durability. Beyond the key players, David Morse and William Forsythe convey dense layers of emotional intrigue. For example, Morse's reaction to one soldier's peril seems rather economical even underplayed (which is a good thing).

The inclusion of Connery -- my favourite James Bond -- adds something sophisticated to the mix. When he escapes from custody, commandeers a Humvee and outwits his pursuers, it's perfectly entertaining. As one character puts it to him later, “You wrecked half the city!”

(Released by Disney and rated "R" for strong violence, language and a sex scene.)