Reviews (197)

Disappointment isn't a big enough word
After reading that Jet Li had turned down offers to star in the Matrix' upcoming sequels, I was intruiged at what this film could possibly have to offer that would be on par with that film's effects and (of course) martial arts production.

Sad to say, I was greatly underwhelmed by 'The One'. The concept (while fascinating) is handled in b-movie fashion with an above-average budget, with special emphasis placed on all the wrong things.

One of the reasons that 'Kiss Of The Dragon' was so effective was that they kept the slow-motion camera work to a minimum, leaving us to be entertained by Jet Li's naturally fast reflexes and superb choreography, not to mention a great soundtrack.

In 'The One', it's bad enough that the script is virtually non-existant, the action is far from Li's best, and the comic-book rendering of his fights detract from his greatest strength: real-time combat.

I laughed every time they brought the camera onto the 'tracking device', which they did 3 or 4 times at least. The director must have thought to get the most out of that particular effect by doing so, and the result is comical at best.

Especially bad is the final fight scene, which is overlong, and unimpressive. I can only hope that Jet Li either a) fires his agent, or b) picks a much better vehicle for his next film. It certainly won't get any worse than this.

This Movies Rules Over All!
Ok, for all those people out there who said that 'The One" sucks and has no good story and plot and so on, i just hope they realise that any Jet Li movie is only meant to have a simple action plot and be full with kung fu and wire fu and maybe AWESOME special effects, just to give my opinion i think that 'The One's' special effects and kung fu were really cool and the slow motion bullet time stuff was quite amazing. How Jet Li could walk around that group of guards and smash the crap out of them without them even knowing what the hell was happeing coz he was so quick for them was absolutely mind-boggling. From the first fight scene where you see jet roll out of that vent and blow that guy down to the ground in slow motion told you how mad Jet was going to be. The music was a tad bit lame in parts but it still kept the flow for the fights and the last fight was so bloody excellent. I so recommend you see this movie if you like that matrix-kind of stuff and who cares if action movies these days have that matrix stuff, its still cool and makes me happy. Anyway this DVD will be in my hands before its released in Australia becoz my friend lives in singapore and its coming out on the 19 of January. So im totally excited. (...)

Don't judge Jet Li by this movie
Even if you hated this movie and didn't like the way Jet Li acted in it, that doesn't mean you don't like Jet Li films. Go watch Twin Warriors, which is possibly the best Jet Li film ever. If you don't like that movie, then you probably won't like any other kung fu movies. Another good one is Jet Li's Fist of Legend.

Good movie, why all the negatives?
When I first watched this movie I did not know what to expect. I had never even heard of it until it was available to rent. Once I was able to see it, I thought it was a very good movie, but not perfect. The concept of a multiverse makes for good sci-fi and this movie was definately interesting to me. The story goes like this: there are 123 universes that make up the multiverse, and in each universe there is a different version of each person that exists in the other universes. Jet Li plays Gabe Law, a cop in one universe. In another universe he is Yu Law, a man obsessed with power. Power and strength are divided equally among the 123 universes, and each time of of the variants dies, his power is divided among the rest of the men. So Yu Law has been illegally been traveling within the multiverse and has killed all but one of "himself" and himself. Sound complicated yet? It may be to some people but watching it clears a lot up. So two multiverse agents are after Yu Law since he has murdered all of the others, and Gabe Law is drawn in to stop him also. The balance in the multiverse could be destroyed if there is only one left. So that is that in a nutshell. The movie is loaded with great fight scenes and special effects that make for a visual treat. My favorite scene is in the beginning when Yu Law kills the guy while he is in police custody. Now this movie is not perfect, and it does get to a point where it gets a little dull for a while. Just be patient because it does get better, especially with the fight between Gabe and Yu Law. Some people are giving this movie negative reviews because of the unoriginality. Is it unoriginal? Perhaps to a certain extent. Are the special effects a rip-off of movies like the Matrix? Somewhat. But this isnt the first movie to copy elements from that movie and it sure will not be the last. If you are a sci-fi fan you may enjoy this movie. If you just want to see a good action movie with awesome special effects, check this one out. You may or may not like it, it is a matter of taste. But I really enjoyed it, enough so to give it 4 stars.

Who cares about the multiverse
Terribly boring. I tried my best to like this as a Jet Li fan, but couldn't. If being bored could make you cry, then I'd have to setup a dam outside of my house. ... Read more

Reviews (37)

Liked it a lot
Walking Tall is a remake. I've never seen the original, but I sure do like the new one.

The Rock plays Chirs Vaughn. He's a former special service soldier in the army who is returning home to settle down. He comes home to a different town. The town in now run by the crooked law and the casino owner Jay Hamilton(Neal McDonough) who was a friend of Chris. After a couple of incidents where people are hurt Chris decides to run for sheriff. After becoming sheriff he apoints his friend Ray(Knoxville) to help him restore justice to the town.

(...)I liked Johnny Knoxville in the movie. When this guy isn't killing himself on Jackass he seems to be a real cool guy. He does a great job playing the side kick of the rock. He has a future in acting if he wants it. His fans will like him a lot in this. He's funny and so are his fight scenes.

One of the big knocks on this film is whether a small town in North Carolina could be that corrupt. I honestly don't know. I live around some small towns and some of them have crooks for cops and bad poloticians. I looked past in the movie because I didn't care about it. It was a fun story.

I liked Ashley Scott who plays Deni in the movie who is love interest. It's great to see Ashley on screen again. I liked her in Birds of Prey it was just a bad show. She is hot in the movie.

I liked this movie a lot. It's more of a guy film. Lots of great action that isn't likely possible to ever happen. Lots of gun fire and explosions. There's also a piece of cedar you like to see get used. It's a fun film and if you can look past the whole town thing it really is a fun movie.

A guilty pleasure
It should be said right off, I'm not a fan of wrestling or the Rock. I do, however, enjoy a good action movie and was pleasantly surprised by how enjoyable the Rundown was, so I caught a preview screening of Walking Tall.
Loosely based on a true story, the movie is about a Chris Vaughn who returns home to find that the mill has been shutdown, his old friend has started a casino, and a drug trade has moved in. The cops are ineffective, so Vaughn runs for sheriff and, wielding a 4x4, decides to clean up the town.
There's absolutely nothing new here, but all the pieces are thoroughly enjoyable anyway. The Rock is convincing and charismatic. Johnny Knoxville is hilarious and perfect for his role as the dopey sidekick. The villain, whose name escapes me, is very sinister.
The action is fun and intense, the supporting actors are strong, heck even the soundtrack was good.
So if you're looking for a light, fun way to spend an hour and forty minutes, this is the movie for you, whether you like The Rock or Johnny Knoxville or not.

Walking Tall was the shiz!!
Walking Tall was a grrreat movie!!! I'd recommend it to anyone that's into exciting action movies complete w/ comedy,drama, and a dash of irony! Just in case u didn't notice The Rock is so muscular (fine & sexy)giving u all the more reason to watch it!! Playing The Rock's nephew ,Pete, Khleo Thomas is also a great reason to see this intreging movie, he's doubtlessly the cutest guy in the history of the universe (also played Zero in the movie Holes). (...) c ya!!!I luv Khleo!!LOL

Walking Tall '' The Rock's Best MOVIE!!!!!
I saw this movie in April And I loved it!! There are 3 Original Walking Tall movies and they better make sequals too this one!! It has great action in it,and the THE ROCK is one bad mudder!!!! Shut your mouth I'm talking bout THE ROCK!!!

Why can't Hollywood let 'The Rock' be 'The Rock'?
There is a particularly disturbing scene in Barry Blaustein's brilliant wrestling documentary "Beyond the Mat", which haunted me ever since I saw the film. No, it's not the messed up personal life of Jake 'the Snake' nor is it the sight of Mick Foley's children screaming in terror as he receives repeated chair shots to the head. It was Vince McMahon expressing his interest in "making movies........." which put the chill down my spine.

Traditionally 'wrestling movies', that is wrestling themed films, have being unsuccessful at the box office and pretty terrible, the only exception being "The One and Only" which is a great film (possibly due to the fact that it's star isn't a wrestler). I'm a long time wrestling fan and can admit that 'sports entertainment' will never ever work as well in the cinema as it does in the tv soap opera format. The obvious logic therefore is to make films starring wrestlers, but not strictly on the subject of wrestling. Rowdy Roddy Piper scored the starring role in John Carpenter's "They Live", a solid cult classic by any standard, why couldn't this formula work?

Enter The Rock! The most electrifying man in sports entertainment! If any wrestler had the look and charisma to carry a feature film, it is the great one. At least in theory..............

"The Scorpion King"? That was so bad, it made "Conan the Destroyer" look like "Conan the Barbarian"! "The Rundown"? The brilliant script for that film manages some near impossible tasks, it makes Seann "Stiffler" William Scott painfully unfunny, Christopher Walken pathetic (Tooth Fairy speech!?), presents The Rock as the cliched 'hero with tragic past' type character without provide a shred of backstory (why won't he use guns?) and to top it all off in a moronic attempt to inject depth and a social conscience into the shallow garbage, it rips off a scene straight out of "Powaqqatsi"! The action scenes are rather bad (HollyWood will never EVER come close to Asian films in action, no matter how many sellout choreographers they bribe in from Hong Kong!!!) and the film runs 15 minutes too long.

So what about "Walking Tall"? Unfortunately it's just another over-hyped horrible Hollywood remake. Is that all they do? put out terrible remakes of great films, "Dawn of the Dead", "The Ring", "Texas Chainsaw Massacre", "Planet of the Apes" etc, etc. Haven't they already used the original "Walking Tall"? 'Hacksaw' Jim Duggan? In a recent episode of Raw, The Rock was doing Mick Foley's 'This Is Your Life' during which a "critic" told Rocky "if you'd shown this much vitality, maybe 'Walking Tall' wouldn't be a walking piece of crap!", I'm not sure why that line of dialogue was scripted, simply because it is a dead right observation! Of course this won't stop J.R.'s endless plugging, how many wrestlers have being "walking tall" on their way to the squared circle lately?

I want The Rock to succeed, sincerely want his films to be good, he's one of my favorite wrestlers along with Mysterio and Flair. The Rock on the mike is brilliant, in fact better than brilliant, he's electrifying! The Rock on talk shows is charming, funny and totally entertaining. So why is the magic missing from every film he's in?

The answer is simple, The Rock has a ton of charisma and personality, but sadly is not a highly skilled actor. Sure his promos are some of the tightest in sports entertainment, but outside The Rock persona, he doesn't have much of a range. This is in no way a mean spirited insult, just the honest truth. But many of the most respected actors play only one character repeatedly, Robert DeNiro for example. So what is wrong with letting The Rock play the Rock? Why force him into stiff uncomfortable cliched hero roles? Why not make a movie, or better yet a series of movies, in the James Bond style with The Rock as a secret agent putting the smackdown of the bad guys and getting a Bond sized share of pie along the way? A series of "Shaft" style films with The Rock jive talking the jabroni's and swinging with allot of groovy pie in the process? There is no reason why The Rock 'as is' cannot be placed in any number of films. That would be giving fans what they want, lets face it, most of the audience who went to see the films so far didn't go because the plot interested them, they went to see The Rock, I went to see The Rock.

Real wrestling fans should avoid these movies, don't give them your money because if they are successful The Rock will continue to be cast in pure crap like "Walking Tall", rather than either being forced to return to wrestling, which would not be a bad thing at all, or force producers/directors/writers to drastically increase the quality of the films, like that will ever happen. ... Read more

Amazon.com

A rarely screened cult favorite from Paul Verhoeven, this story of medieval war and revenge should please action fans and admirers of the director and his semi-regular leading man, Rutger Hauer, but its graphic scenes of sexual violence earmark it for mature viewers only. Hauer stars as a 16th-century mercenary hired by a Western European ruler (Fernando Hilbeck) to assault a neighboring kingdom; when the king reneges on his promises to Hauer and his men, they kidnap his son's fiancee (Jennifer Jason Leigh) and hole up in a nearby castle. Hauer and Leigh are standouts in a strong cast that includes Tom Burlinson, Bruno Kirby, the late Brion James, and Susan Tyrrell; Verhoeven's realistic approach to the down-and-dirty facts of medieval life and the bloody aftermath of warfare offers a refreshing alternative to most Hollywood period films, but a pair of brutal rape scenes may be too much for some audiences. MGM's DVD is widescreen. --Paul Gaita ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Flesh and Blood - a movie for a New Years' Eve
This movie is such a pleasant surprise! Rutger Hauer is soooo handsome and sexy. As "Martin" he and his band of mercenaries roam the 'northern european' countryside (where is this supposed to actually be?) with a statue of St. Martin (Martin's patron saint) guiding them to their destiny--a castle with the plague awaiting them.

Agnes looks very much the part of the child princess bride. Some of this movie reminds me of the (in)famous "War Lord" with good 'ole Charleton H.--princess bride ravaged by the warrior--only in this one the bride isn't long suffering but actually has some fun with Martin too.

The war machines add to the plot but man did the director take liberties. How did the wood on the 'telescoping' ladder keep from burning? Did they have dynamite for the 'bomb' invention back then? And how would the Arab medical texts suggesting the plague swellings be cut open rather than bleeding the victim make it all the way up there?

The dialogue is so camp! At the most inappropriate times you find yourself laughing outloud--like at the end of the rape scene where Martin says: "I'm done, I hope you are". And the scene when Martin's first woman is having a baby and she says: "That hurts!"--an understatement if I ever heard one. The sexy bath scenes are very seductive--a mideaval hot tub, candles and all sorts of frolic.

The film is shot in SPAIN--Avila and other beautiful locations but the weather is not always all that sunny--the rain and mud--whew!

Loved this movie--you will too!

Paul Verhoeven's "transition" film
Flesh and Blood can be considered Paul Verhoeven's transition between Holland and Hollywood. This film was his first English-language one and was funded by an American studio (Orion), but was filmed with a largely European crew in Spain. It is interesting to note that the shoot was absolutely miserable, with terrible weather and infighting on the set that caused a years-long rift between Verhoeven and leading man Rutger Hauer. The bad feelings really seem to come through in both the directing and the acting. It was after this movie, having severed ties with his former producer and star, that Verhoeven blew town for Hollywood and filmed Robocop.

I've been waiting for this on DVD for a long time, and now MGM has finally announced a February 2004 release for Flesh and Blood. Now if we could only get the Dutch miniseries "Floris" translated to English and released, our Verhoeven collections could be complete!

FLESH + BLOOD
Well, this is a good movie, although it has some bad parts it still is worth watching. It has everything in it to make it a good movie and it has a heart. This is a good movie. GREAT!

what a mess!
This was one of the worst flicks I've ever seen....the acting was atrociously bad--especially Jennifer Jason Leigh (was this her 1st movie)? The plot is ridiculous, the fighting is amateurish and completely unrealistic and the actors look like they were just handed a script and asked to improvise. Rutger Hauer looks like he can't wait to get this mess over with.
You'll need to see "Braveheart" to cleanse your palette after viewing this mess.

One of my favorite films EVER!
Flesh and Blood is one of the most wonderful films of all times!
I saw it for the first time when I was 8 years old, and it immediately become my favorite! I was longing for this films launch on DvD for a long time!
It is dark, and raw but it has many elements apart from what is apparent. It is actually a love story, surrounded by sin, war, plague and lust; and all these in an incredibly mystical setting and time...Definately reccomend it! ... Read more

Description

After her family is murdered, a young woman becomes a master of the sword and seeks revenge on the evil queen responsible for the mayhem that has befallen her. ... Read more

Reviews (33)

So bad it is good
I just got finished watching this movie on the high definition HBO channel. I'd seen it before when I was much younger and like it then. Essentially part three of the Conan movies and directed by the same guy who did the second Conan movie. The Schwarzenegger character in this one isn't Conan though, he's some other barbarian who tells Red Sonja early in the movie "Danger is my business." This movie is so campy, so woodenly acted, and so fantasy movie cliche ridden it's hilarious. I'm a little torn. As an example of the art form, this is a dreadfully bad movie and worth one star. As Saturday morning entertainment, along the lines of watching cartoons, the movie is brilliant and worth five stars. The scenery in some of the outdoor shots can be pretty spectacular, especially in the scene where the gang was staring across a chasm to the place where the sun doesn't shine (I think that was the name of the evil queen's land). The special effects are cheesy. The dialog is...uh, well Arnold and Brigitte were the lead characters. The annoying brat should have fallen into the boiling mud early on. The queen's pet spider was a cute touch. If this ever does come out on DVD I'm getting it. It's both one of the funniest and worst movies ever made. Take some pain medication before watching though because this one can be painful to sit through.

Old but but better than Scorpion King
If you like swords fights, Muscles,and warriors at it's best then you'll like to watch this film.<br /> <br /> If you're looking for more "acting kind of stuff" you can watch Bridget Jones Diary.<br /> <br /> Arnold can look like a robot or a Kindergarde teacher or a man from 2000 years if he wanted to, we all know that. this movie is from 1985 so it may not have the same effects that we see these days but It was meant to be an old flick anyway, IN the dvd version the sound It's terrific, a must have specially if you have kids or If you're an Arnold fan!!!<br /> the story is plain and simple but everyhting looks real and Arnold is in his own surroundigns unlike the Rock who was more like an showing off in Scorpion King.<br /> Everything looks real(from that era) if you get in to the story.<br /> Again you got to love those swords man they are real Briggitte did a good work also!!!<br />

Red Sonja on DVD
Red Sonja was Directed by Richard Fleischer(who also directed Conan the Destroyer). Admittedly, this was the worst film of the Conan style fantasy series, but it still has something to offer to loyal 80's fans. Excellent casting with the top action stars of the moment. This film has Arnold fresh off his Terminator hit, Brigitte Nielsen fresh off Rocky 4, and 80s karate star Ernie Reyes JR(star of the 80s TV series Sidekicks).

Red Sonja is fun, but it doesn't offer anything original. Just the same old save the world, good versus evil stuff.

If you couldn't get enough of the first 2 Conan movies and you need more, then pick up red Sonja. She isn't as pretty as Xena, but she and Arnold swing one hell of a sword! really excellent barbarian style sword fighting.

casting=4.5 stars
ending=4 stars
Directing and Editing=3.75 stars
plot & storyline=2.5 stars
replay value=3.5 stars

OVERALL= 3.65 TOTAL STARS

DVD FEATURES: Red Sonja has a very nice wide screen transfer, chapter selection and movie trailer.

Sadly after a long wait for this DVD, we didn't get any commentary from the director or Brigitte. That's pretty sad that they don't try to give a little more quality to the fans after a long wait. Brigitte Nielsen hasn't done a good film since Beverly Hills cop 2 in 1987, so it's not like she is too occupied. The DVD special features are pathetic. At least give us some filmographies or something...

Cheesey campy 80's classic
Arnold.
He is the reason this is watchable and without him this would be one of the worst movies ever.

Nielson has the acting talent of a cherry tree but plays the role well physically. The biggest joke of a scene was Bridgette mourning her dead sister. A true Oscar worthy performance!

And young Prince Tarn... ugh!!!
He is the reason this movie is 3 stars and not 5.
He is easily one of the most annoying characters to ever grace the silver screen and his servant, who has an IQ of a turnip, is almost as bad. His sidekick is not funny, overweight, and uses a giant bone for a weapon. Wow what a great mix!

This movie is enjoyable, but only if you were a young male growing up in the 80's and for nostalgic purposes. Without Arnold this would be unwatchable.

An Eighties Classic
I was raised on Conan and Red Sonja, so I can't help but highly recommend these movies. No, the acting isn't great, and there are homosexual connotations that I just didn't catch when I was six, but these movies have stood the test of time-- at least in my estimation. Wonderful adventures with unforgetable characters, and the swords are just darn cool. ... Read more

Reviews (139)

Superb period drama, great plots, sets and location shooting
I first saw the Hornblower film on a flight back from Seattle without the sound and even then it was good! After having watched all 4 of these TV movies from these DVDs I'm of the opinion that this is the finest sea-based drama!

There are 4 stories, and they're all enjoyable, there isn't a dud. We see Hornblower rise through the ranks and gain respect above and below deck. The best scene of the whole series has to be when they capture a French ship and sail it through a Spanish fleet in the fog.

The quality of the DVD is top notch. Picture quality and sound are up to the standards you'd expect for a 1998 TV program costing £10M. The extras are brilliant: a making of documentary (there's a book too also available on amazon.com) and a whole special on English ships from that period. Worth the money.

Great box set of all 4 Hornblower movies
The Hornblower series, a joint venture between ITV's Meridian and A&E consists of 4x 90 minute TV Movies following the life and times of Midshipman Hornblower. The DVDs are top quality, with a clear full screen image and great sound effects in Dolby Surround. The extras on the DVD are also excellent with a decent 'making of' documentary.

It's the variety in the movies that makes the box set so amicable. The Duel is a good introduction to the characters and Hornblower's rise through the ranks, the fire ships is a tense sea battle (with a great scene with the ships in the fog).

Ioan Gruffudd is brilliant and destined to be a new James Bond I'm sure. With Robert Lindsey as a very Captain Picard Captain too! It's really really good, buy it!

the making of the hero
in this second episode Horatio has already realised that he likes life in the navy, so much so that he is happy to be able to take the examination for lieutenant. Unfortunately, whenever he decides to open a book and study, there is an urgent distraction in the form of an adventure, especially at a time when the Spanish decided that they were allied of the French and they began to attack the British ships (with the infamous "fire ships"). These adventures are, in fact, a way for Horatio Hornblower to see the hardships that officials have to endure: he has to be prepared to take quick, life-or-death decissions for himself and his men; he has to be very sure of his priorities to take these decissions; and his priorities are not exactly the same as those of some other very well-regarded officials, who are considered heros and who could become new and powerful enemies. Horatio learns more about what being an official involves through these actions than what he could learn in a thousand books but, will he pass the exmination and finally launch his navy official career?

Horatio Hornblower, a Hero for Us All!
The story is purely English, but the message is quintessentially American; succeed based upon one's own ability, regardless of class or lineage. Horatio Hornblower (played by Ioan Gruffudd) is brave, intelligent, and as we discover, a natural born leader, and the envy of every man. We all wish we could be like him.

This A&E made-for-TV series is an accurate representation of the C.S. Forester novels upon which they are based. These first four episodes deal with Hornblower's early years as a midshipman after he joins the British Navy when it was the uncontested ruler of the high seas.

Episode one sees Hornblower fall under the control of Simpson, an abusive senior midshipman. Horatio contemplates suicide and desertion, but instead challenges Simpson to a duel. A cruel twist spares his life - but takes that of his friend. He later exemplifies himself in battle, and cunningly outsmarts a rival French captain to begin earning the undying loyalty and affection of his men.

War with France breaks out in episode two, and Hornblower is transferred to the British frigate, the Indefatigable, commanded by Captain Pellew (played wonderfully by Robert Lindsay), who will become, over time, almost a second father to his young charge. Horatio will again distinguish himself towards the movie's end by risking his life to board a burning fire ship (a blazing vessel sent pilotless and kamikaze style into the British fleet) and diverting it away from the Indefatigable. Captain Pellew later congratulates him for saving his ship and the lives of everyone on board. Horatio's pride soars, as does the love we feel for him.

In episode three, Hornblower learns much about life - and women - when he and an English Duchess (who is really an actress) are taken prisoners by the Spanish. A French Captain threatens to reveal them as spies, but the Duchess gives up her honor to preserve their secret. Horatio is at first disgusted, but then respects her immeasurably once he realizes that her pragmatism has probably saved both of their lives. Hornblower later displays unquestionable bravery when he leads a rescue party to save sailors stranded offshore during a storm. His gallantry earns him his freedom, and Horatio gains the distinction of being recognized as a hero in both his own country and by his enemies.

In the final episode, the crew of the Indefatigable is asked to assist French Royalist soldiers in an ill-fated attempt to recapture the country from the Republic. The pomp & circumstance of the well-disciplined British army are used gloriously against the enemy. And a reinstated French Marquis employs the guillotine to lop off a few heads - but in the end suffers a similar fate. Horatio falls in love with a beautiful French girl only to lose her. And he painfully learns that duty -- and the responsibility of leading men in battle -- must always win out over his emotions.

This A&E series was a visual and inspirational delight. Ioan Grufford and Robert Lindsay were both superb. This four disc set is highly recommended!

Where was I when this series first aired on A&E?
I must have had my head stuck in the sand somewhere because after recently watching these videos it seems everyone I've met has gone on and on about how wonderful the series was. I must definitely agree. Although I didn't see HH when it first aired, I am so happy to have found them on VHS and look forward to the next series and a third one I read about on the internet. Bring on more Horatio! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Footnotes in movie books are likely to reduce this swashbuckling adventure down to a simple description: it was the first movie to star Leonardo DiCaprio after the phenomenal success of Titanic. As such it automatically attracted a box-office stampede of Leo's young female fans, but critical reaction was deservedly mixed. Having earned his directorial debut after writing the Oscar-winning script for Mel Gibson's Braveheart, Randall Wallace wrote and directed this ambitious version of the often-filmed classic novel by Alexandre Dumas. DiCaprio plays dual roles as the despotic King Louis XIV, who rules France with an iron fist, and the king's twin brother, Philippe, who languishes in prison under an iron mask, his identity concealed to prevent an overthrow of Louis' throne. But Louis' abuse of power ultimately enrages Athos (John Malkovich), one of the original Four Musketeers, who recruits his former partners (Gabriel Byrne, G&eacute;rard Depardieu, and Jeremy Irons) in a plot to liberate Philippe and install him as the king's identical replacement. Once this plot is set in motion and the Musketeers are each given moments in the spotlight, the film kicks into gear and offers plenty of entertainment in the grand style of vintage swashbucklers. But it's also sidetracked by excessive length and disposable subplots, and for all his post-Titanic star power, the boyish DiCaprio just isn't yet "man" enough to be fully convincing in his title role. Still, this is an entertaining movie, no less enjoyable for falling short of the greatness to which it aspired. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (168)

As much fun as the book...
Movie adaptations of books are prone to disappointment - But not so with this film adaptation of "The Man in the Iron Mask," the third book in the Musketeer trilogy by master Alexandre Dumas.

Unlike the earlier "Three Musketeers" released by Disney (featuring Oliver Platt, Charlie Sheen, Chris O'Donnel and Kiefer Sutherland), which was aimed at a younger audience, "Iron Mask" is aimed at a more sophisticated adult audience. It aims past the raucus swashbuckling (although there is plenty of action to satisfy) and strives toward deeper character development in an almost introspective manner. From d'Artagnan's severe sense of duty to Aramis' penitence to Athos' alternating joie de vivre and ennui to Portos' fatherly love, with an underlying religous tone, the "Iron Mask" underscores the human struggle toward virtue and a supernatural code of morality.

The cast, including Jeremy Irons, Gabriel Byrne, Gerard Depardieu, John Malkovich and DiCaprio) is superb - with the exception that Malkovich's characteristic American accent seems out of place juxtaposed to the more British and French tinge of his fellow musketeers; and, more importantly, that the young DiCaprio (who has since matured) has yet to 'come of age' as an actor in this movie. The direction by "Braveheart"'s Randall Wallace is outstanding, with good cinematography and composition, well-planned pacing and a well-written and edited screenplay adaptation of the work.

Of course, the credit to the success of this movie is that the original work by Dumas is a page-turner literary classic! I highly recommend reading the complete trilogy: "The Three Musketeers," "Twenty Years After" and "The Man in the Iron Mask."

For hands-down the best translation of a Dumas work to film, I highly recommend "The Count of Monte Cristo," featuring the excellent Jim Caviezel.

Not Perfect, but Interesting
This movie is not unlike its central character(s) -- twins separated at birth, developing in two different directions. There's the movie for the squealing teens -- basically Leo DiCaprio, in all kinds of costumes, doing his cute-as-a-button routine as both hero and villain. Then there's the movie for everybody else -- a somber, complex story full of superb middle-aged actors who finally find honor and redemption at too high a cost. The two sides of the movie do fit together -- DiCaprio is a surprisingly good actor when he has the likes of Malkovich and Gabriel Byrne feeding him his cues -- but the fit is never perfect. The old guard side of the story is slow-paced at times, because it develops a personal plot line for every single Musketeer, but it gets there in the end. If you like the movie the first time, a re-watching will bring up new and interesting nuances. The best thing in the film (if you're not female and 17) is John Malkovich, whose version of Athos jumps believably from homicidal obsessive to loving father figure without ever touching middle ground. The movie is too flawed to be called 'great,' but what it does well it does very, very well.

True to Dumas
I have read the entire Musketeer series. This version closely tracks its written counterpart. It was well acted and involved the viewer in both the comedy and pathos Dumas was expert at entertaining his readers with. I was actually surprised by diCaprio's performance. I thought he showed great versatility in playing the dual roles. I loved Jeremy Irons in the role of d'Artagnan and I really liked Depardieu too in the role of Porthos. I have played my copy several times for guests in my home. It is a movie that engenders thought about good and evil and shows that, sometimes, it is important to do the right thing --- just because it is right to do.

Starry show for "Man in the Iron Mask"
"THe man in the iron mask" is probably best known for being DiCaprios first film after Titanic, and probably all that itll be remembered, or thanked for. The plot is twisted like much of Dumas' novels in recent film adaptions (such as "The Count of MOnte Cristo")but is still a good film to watch, once you can look over some imperfections in the various actors accents and very television-like twist at the end, that does pose as a suprise to a viewer, whether s/he has read the Musketeer novels or not.
The costumes and scenery are georgous. The huge budget shows not only in the starry cast on show, but in the quality of the interiors of Marseilles and the country side exteriors for Philippes transformation and training. The acting is spontaneous although it plays like a pantomine at times (such as Depardieu's consistent farting and incompetence with three women at one time. Malcovich mid-west accent and Iron's noble countenance somehow match (similar to "Dangerous Liasons" with Close and Malkovich)and Byrnes tragic/romantic/hero passes not exactly for the D'Artanian of the popular screen, his Irish accent also is another mix in the bake.
The directing makes the most of all that is on offer (such as the musketeers charging into musket fire, elaborate chase scenes on the kidnapping of the king and the squalor of the Bastille) and the music complements each scene beautifully that it stands out.
"Man in the Iron Mask" is overall a good film, not a landmark adaptation, but good entertainment of a better quality.

Really fine movie
I bought this movie only recently and really liked it.
I thought EVERYONE was utterly convincing and excellent especially Leo who plays both evil and innocent equally well.
However does anybody note here that something is brought in that was in no other version and not the book : Dartagnan is the father of the king and his brother?
Hmmmm.
But EXCELLENT FILM and I recomment it. ... Read more

Description

Nab the star-studded comedy-adventure that dazzled moviegoers everywhere! It's the action-packed tale of three loyal swordsmen (Charlie Sheen, Kiefer Sutherland, Oliver Platt) who are joined by an eager recruit (Chris O'Donnell) to protect the King of France. Together, the foursome battle enormous odds in their attempt to defeat an evil royal advisor (Tim Curry) and a seductive envoy (Rebecca De Mornay) plotting to overthrow France's crown -- fighting against both time and scores of enemies! You'll cheer out loud when these exciting muskeeteers face danger, fun, and adventure at every turn -- proving they are the greatest swashbucklers who ever lived! ... Read more

Reviews (95)

My favorite musketeers movie
All right, let it be said. This movie has NOTHING to do with Dumas's novel. It isn't even close. There, now that that's out of the way, let me just say that this is a great film. It's done in typical Disney style, with an incredible cast that brings to life this classic tale with a lot of flare and some good, old-fashioned fun.

The entire cast is great: the three Musketeers (Kiefer Sutherland, Oliver Platt, and Charlie Sheen) are hilarious, and the impetuous young D'Artagnan (Chris O'Donnell) proves the perfect complement to this already comic trio. Add Tim Curry and Michael Wincott as the bad guys and you've got yourself a comic, action-packed adventure that is sure to please the whole family.

Loved it
I found this movie very entertaining... Oliver Platt (Porthos) provided some great laughs. Charlie Sheen (Aramis) was one of the nice looking ones. Kiefer Sutherland (Athos) could have acted a bit more bitter... but he did an over good job. Chris O'Donnel (D'Artgnan) no. I don't think he took to this part well at all. I agree with several other reviewers. He turned it into mush. Tim Curry (Car. Richeliu) LOVED HIM! He played that part two ways to the director... funny or scary/serious. The director wanted to go for the funny way, mainly because everyone else in the cast would be as well. I would have loved to have seen him play it serious. Rebecca DeMornay( ?) was quite good as a seductress. The man w/the patch (can't remember name) did fairly well. Wasn't the best performance, but wasn't mush either. I give this film only four stars, mainly because of Chris O'Donnel's performance. No,it didn't stay true to the book, but I liked it anyways.

F.U.N
is this film corny? silly? fun? YES! its a FUN romp! The acting is great the story is great its a very well done version of the classic story. the sword fighting isnt bad either. If you have seen this you must get it quick, most disney films don't last long. If you like swashbuckling movies that are fun and pay homeage to the films of days long gone this is for you!

BRAVO!!!
Definitely a great epic movie and one of my personal favorites, The Three Musketeers, brings to the screen the tale of who else, but Athos, Porthos, Aramis and D'Artagnan. Kiefer Sutherland, Chris O'Donnell, Charlie Sheen, Oliver Platt, Tim Curry, and the gorgeous Rebecca De Mornay whose performances are simply amazing, make this movie one of the best of its kind. (Tim Curry's character, in particular, as Cardinal Richelieu, steals the show!)
The actors' great talent and chemistry clearly shows, thus providing an entertaining film that can be watched over and over again. The castles, the battles and the costumes are all wonderful! The Three Musketeers is a movie about love, honor, bravery, loyalty, and heroes from a time long gone. It is a great movie indeed!

Wish I could give it O stars
The cast seems ludicrously out of place in this movie--only Anwar is partially believable and her part is slight.

If you wish to see an interesting an authentic three musketeers, look for AISN B00006LPC5 , a 1972 version that is incredible. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

Robert De Niro stars as an American intelligence operative adrift in irrelevance since the end of the Cold War--much like a masterless samurai, a.k.a. "ronin." With his services for sale, he joins a renegade, international team of fellow covert warriors with nothing but time on their hands. Their mission, as defined by the woman who hires them (Natascha McElhone), is to get hold of a particular suitcase that is equally coveted by the Russian mafia and Irish terrorists. As the scheme gets underway, De Niro's lone wolf strikes up a rare friendship with his French counterpart (Jean Reno), gets into a more-or-less romantic frame of mind with McElhone, and asserts his experience on the planning and execution of the job--going so far as to publicly humiliate one team member (Sean Bean) who is clearly out of his league. The story is largely unremarkable--there's an obligatory twist midway through that changes the nature of the team's business--but legendary filmmaker John Frankenheimer (Seconds, The Manchurian Candidate) leaps at the material, bringing to it an honest tension and seasoned, breathtaking skill with precision-action direction. The centerpiece of the movie is an honest-to-God car chase that is the real thing: not thehow-can-we-top-the-last-stunt cartoon nonsense of Richard Donner (LethalWeapon), but a pulse-quickening, kinetic dance of superb montage and timing. In a sense, Ronin is almost Frankenheimer's self-quoting version of a John Frankenheimer film. There isn't anything here he hasn't done before, but it's sure great to see it all again. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (283)

Rowan Atkinson
Odd film. Twenty years ago it would have been unremarkable, but nowadays it's almost unique - a straight-faced, serious, 'thick-ear' cold-war thriller, played like a cross between John Le Carre and Alistair McClean, but not quite as good as either. Everything looks grim and gritty, and despite the post-cold war setting there isn't any post-modern irony here, it's square jaws all the way.

A top-notch cast make it what it is, although it's not really a film about people - it's a film about action and intrigue, but mostly action. Despite the odd way in which the main characters can commit mayhem in public without anybody seeming to notice, the gun-fights seem realistic - brutal, confused affairs - and the two car chases (featuring an array of exotic European saloons, even a Citroen XM), and in particular the second, are stunning, draining, and exciting.

(Not many films have Robert DeNiro and Jean Reno pootling about Europe in a stolen Volkswagen Golf, come to think of it.)

Ultimately though, it goes on too long. The film doesn't seem to care much for the plot, and in the end it all seems strangely forgettable - it goes in one ear, and comes out the other easily enough, but you probably won't remember it much in a month or so.

Watch out for some of the ugliest 'heavies' ever committed to film, too.

Great action, great dialogue
I'm still not quite sure why David Mamet used a pseudonym in the credits, but the movie absolutely drips with his rhythms of speech. It complements the action well, otherwise the movie would be a bore outside of the car chases. The unique element is the band of mercenaries who cannot trust each other long enough to complete their mission. The cast is great: De Niro and Jonathan Pryce are Mamet veterans. Jean Reno is quite at home playing the Jean Reno character. Natasha McElhone is painfully beautiful, and one of the most capable actresses working today. She more than holds her own with the boys. But the movie's greatest strength isn't the actors or Mamet's hypnotic chit-chat, but Frankenheimer's car chases, which are "au natural". Nobody working with digital effects has generated the same level of excitement and realism, no matter what genre. The European locations are great, the cars are great, and the characters are well-rounded. Oh, and we've got a suitcase filled with who-knows-what, a la "Pulp Fiction."

meh
this was kind of dissapointing, but i had pretty high expectations. it didn't really do anything wrong, but dispite a lot of action, it wasn't the most interesting movie.

Gorilla of a Thrilla'
Spy flick, GREAT CAR CHASE... I think Car and Driver rated the chase scene as an all time best.

On solitude, camaraderie, and good moviemaking.
A mystery man summons a group of mercenaries, mostly has-beens of the grand spy game. What follows? Naturally: lead is flying, the tires are burned by former Formula 1 drivers, and the cast proves to be an ensemble that could light up more than one firmament. A recipe for cashing-in -- one could say -- but rarely a recipe for an instant classic. Ronin, however, just clicks. Clicks as Rubik's cube would and pulls us into a ninety-degree spin and onward to enchantment and an immense adrenaline rush. Why? Because it treads on irresistible subjects of solitude, camaraderie, love and betrayal -- here all served on the palette of the post-cold-war games -- and does so with a seductive flair. From the first group scene in a decrepit Montmartre bar, we are reminded that people often need to be distrustful in order to survive and that the sinister in life might be only an inch away. John Frenkenheimer (The Manchurian Candidate) captures that exceptionally well and leaves little to chance: the careful selection of actors, locations and camera movements solidifies this movie. The story never falters, even though the main price and the stated opposition are both rather enigmatic. The dialogues between Sam (Robert De Niro) and Vincent (Jean Reno) are lean and unforgettable: "whenever there is doubt, there is no doubt...that's the first thing they teach you." A propos teaching, watching the movie with the director's commentary is an eye-opener and it should be a treat for those who make or aspire to make motion pictures. The slick soundtrack, the use of blue lens and the novel fonts used in the credits frame it well. Ronin is a delight. This film will leave begging for more even after several screenings, no doubt. ... Read more

Amazon.com

A massively underrated action thriller that kept Arnold Schwarzenegger occupied between mid-'80s blockbusters, Commando may be one of the last shoot-out films ever to have real characters in it. Not, of course, that they're anything other than stereotypes, but they're painted with such detailed, positive strokes that it's impossible not to relate to them. Arnie plays a retired military special-ops officer whose daughter (played with an expert balance of cute/feisty by Alyssa Milano) is kidnapped by the baddest of bad guys, who'll only hand her back as and when he's assassinated a tiresome banana-republic president on their behalf. Needless to say, Arnie is deeply annoyed by this, rescues the moppet single-handed amid more bullets and explosions than you can shake a stuntman's pay cheque at, and... well, why spoil the fun by revealing any more? Co-star Rae Dawn Chong gets some nice one-liners as the innocent bystander who gets caught up in the mayhem.--Roger Thomas ... Read more

Reviews (112)

What a great movie!
"Commando" is one of the best action movies of all time. Other films try to create the illusion of a one-man army, but this pulls it off. Let off some steam, Bennett!

this film was just superb
If you in case ahve a dvd to give away, just mail it to me at?:

Byaruhanga Ernest P O Box 9104 Kampala Uganda East Africa

So you think this is a bad film right? WRONG!
Commando is, perhaps, the greatest action film of all star. It's plot is transparent, it's characters are practically one-dimensional, Arnold's character John Matrix is totally invincible and everybody around him is there to help or to get pulverised by him. It is totally unrealistic, filled with the best one liners in film history and gives 90 minutes of pure, high octane brainless action. There's no reason why anybody should not buy this, it is a classic part of motion picture production.

very good action movie
i bought this dvd recently. this is the third time i look into this movie based on dvd software. i have the VHS and VCD and compare the audio format/sound the dvd is much more better than the other two.

i have a comment here that, i'm dissappointed after i found that the dvd audio format is not the dolby digital 5.1 surround format such as the terminator 2.

hope to receive your comment why this dvd is not in 5.1 surround system.

if this movie is in the 5.1 surround format i think it will give more sound impact and the enjoyment to the end of this movie.

commando dvd review
commando is an excellent action movie for arnold fans however this dvd transfer is below par of some other fox titles. there is a significant amount of snow and digital messiness that can be quite distracting during some of the dark scenes and even in some of the daylight scenes. you might consider waiting for another version of commando to hit the dvd market due to the snow of the transfer. too bad, until then i will continue to watch my vhs version and keep my dvd version to trade at some store. ... Read more

Reviews (59)

BRONSON IS KERSEY IN THE THIRD EXCITING ACTION-THRILLER!
You've got to give Michael Winner some credit. Critics may lambast his movies often enough, and sometimes with good reason, but at least they can be entertaining, especially the action pics that he did with Charles Bronson. DEATH WISH was a landmark box office hit, a taut thriller inspired to some extent by the firearm tactics of DIRTY HARRY and 7 years later, it spawned a sequel. As Bronson never tracked down the creeps who raped his daughter and killed his wife in DW1, in DW2, he actually does manage to nail the freaks who attack his daughter and housekeeper. DW3, for me, is a perfect end to the trilogy of Michael Winner vigilante flicks (although there were 2 more Death Wishes, albeit under different directors). As always, Chuck is taciturn as Paul Kersey, who kills more people than ever and weaselly character actor, Ed Lauter is fine as the lieutenant who wants to use Kersey to sort out a neighbourhood, and ultimately helps him clear the trash. A film like this is best expected as a fantasy. There's plenty of great action sequences such as the final battle on the streets when Kersey runs around mowing down his enemies, using machine guns, bazookas and a 'Wildey' Magnum handgun, and the bit when chief villain, Manny Fraker and his cronies chase him through the night. As a long-time Led Zep fan, I love Jimmy Page's heavy metal score and it's great to see an old 'grandad' buzz round the streets and blow away guys half his age!

CHARLIE SHOULD HAVE STOPPED AT NUMBER 2
having just watched this movie on TV the other night, and its upcoming release on DVD, prompted me to review this movie. And believe me it was not easy. On one hand, it's just a terrible movie.

Terrible plot, worse performances, characters that have no depth whatsoever, bad dialog, over the top violence... the list goes on and on. But if you can go into it without remotely taking it seriously, it's not too bad.

Bronson plays vigilante Paul Kersey, this time back in New York to take care of a friends affairs who was killed. The local police Captain knows full well who Kersey is, but rather than lock him up for his past crimes, he encourages him to go back to his vigilante ways, working for the police.

Kersey stays at his friends apartment building which is in a New York neighborhood that looks like something out of the post-apocyliptic future. Buidling are bombed out, trash is all around, and a ruthless street gang, painted it up with different color crayons, rules the streets.

Not much to guess here, Bronson is out to protect the neighborhoods residents and get the bad guys at all costs.

The movie is mind-numbingly stupid. The last 20 minutes or so is an all out battle with Kersey leading the residents against hundreds of gang members. One resident is armed with only a homemade zip gun. At one point he proclaims he has to go back and get more ammo. Evidently he doesn't notice the dozens of bodies of gang members lying around still clutching assault rifles.

Earlier on, Kersey not only mails away for a HUGE handgun, but also a rocket launcher!!! A freaking Rocket launcher...that Kersey picks up in a plain brown wrapper. Brilliant.

The end has Bronson blowing away the gang leader with that very rocket launcher, right out of his apratment wall. The leaders girlfriend, down on the street screams!!! Evidently she knows that was HER boyfriend, even though theres not enough of him left to even sweep up.

At that point, the gang just gives up. Ughhh.

Hey, just think of this as a live action cartoon.

Cinematic Perfection
Ah, Death Wish 3! A larger body count than John Woo's "Hard Boiled" and perhaps the funniest movie ever made! "You don't really like opera...do you?" Bronson replies like a teddy bear: "No." What a crazy soundtrack by Jimmy Page...that crazy synth sound when Bronson pays in cash! And count all the times characters say "creep(s)" or "sonofab***h". For so many reasons, this is a movie that belongs in any person's vido library. It would have been nice if it got the Criterion Collection treatment...but hey, it's still great for the price. Having the DVD is nice because you can put the burning people and/or people jumping (or falling) from burning buildings on slow motion. And you notice things like the creep prancing around with a plunger! Just buy the darn film...it doesn't get better than this: "Chicken's good. I like chicken." Totally Gonzo; totally Bronson!

THE MOST ENTERTAINING DEATH WISH
DEATH WISH WAS A CLASSIC. THE OTHER SEQUELS WERE ALL VERY WATCHABLE. DEATH WISH 3, HOWEVER, IS THE MOST ENTERTAINING OF THEM ALL. INCREDIBLE! FUNNY AND ACTION PACKED FROM START TO FINISH! I'LL NEVER GET OVER THE GIGGLER'S DEMISE!

Bronson Kicks some Honey Buns
When the odds are against you, you can count on one man: Charles Bronson. Of the five 'Death Wish" movies I like this one the most. Bronson cleans up the neighborhood when some "creeps" decide to pick on our senior citizens. Yoy really have to like this outing. ... Read more

Description

Violence as poetry, rendered by a master-brilliant and passionate, John Woo's Hard Boiled tells the story of jaded detective "Tequila" Yuen (played with controlled fury by Chow Yun-fat). Woo's dizzying odyssey through the world of Hong Kong Triads, undercover agents, and frenzied police raids culminates unforgettably in the breathless hospital sequence. More than a cops-and-bad-guys story, Hard Boiled continually startles with its originality and dark humor. ... Read more

Reviews (125)

John Woo's "Hard Boiled", subtitled, widescreen
Arguable the best Hong Kong crime film produced this decade, John Woo's "Hard Boiled" is a masterpiece of gritty killers and even grittier cops shot in the traditional Hong Kong style. Chow Yun-Fat excells in this fast paced, and quite violent, production. This is a film not to be missed by fans of Woo, or Chow Yun-Fat. You cannot call yourself a Hong Kong cinema fan without seeing this movie. Be sure to view this film in its origional (subtitled) form, otherwise you will be laughing too hard at the rediculous dubbing rather then enjoying the brilliance that is Hard Boiled. Widescreen is also a plus. DO NOT MISS THIS FILM!!!!!!!

Chow Yun Fat does it again!
While Hard-Boiled is a notch below The Killer, it is still one of the best action movies in the past fifteen years. Chow Yun Fat is perfect as the cop who is willing to break the rules and Tony Leung is also great as the undercover Triad who has seemingly crossed the line. John Woo's over the top direction, choreographed gun fights, and wicked sense of humor, makes Hard Boiled a can't miss action flick. Buy it, rent it, whatever. Just strap yourself in and enjoy the ride. The scenes in the Tea-House and the Hospital are too incredible to describe.

Just the opening sequence will blow you away.
The opening sequence is IMHO the best John Woo's ever done. It might even be the best opening of any action film. Once again, a masterpiece of ballet, guns, bullets and bodies. Once again, the bluring of lines and sympathetic characters. If you like Hard Boiled, watch The Killer and A Better Tomorrow 1 and 2. And the ending of Hard Boiled... half an hour of pure action... unbelievable. And if you liked the lobby shoot out in The Matrix, then you have to watch some John Woo. I'm almost positive you'll like it.

Great gunfighting action... Great directing...
As far as action movies go... I'm as big a John Woo fan as can be.. and I have to say that Hard Boiled, along with The Killer, A Better Tommorow, A.B.T.2, and Face/Off have to be my favorites in the genre. Chow is an amazingly talented actor both in dramatic and action sequences... It's movies like Hard Boiled that keep me playing arcade games with both guns blasting... I can't wait for King's Ransom to come out in theaters!!!

Action and killling, nuff said!!
One of the most exciting action movies I have ever seen. The drama is non stop and for some reason, nearly everybody dies. If you want low plot but killer scenes and non stop motion, this is it!! ... Read more

Description

A highly decorated, retired U.S. Marine general (Ed Harris) seizes a stockpile of chemical weapons and takes over Alcatraz, with 81 tourists as hostages on the San Francisco Bay isle. His demand: Restitution to families of soldiers who died in covert operations. The response: An elite Navy SEAL team, with support from an FBI chemical-warfare expert (Nicolas Cage) and a former Alcatraz escapee (Sean Connery), is assembled to penetrate the terrorists' defenses on the island and neutralize the threat before time runs out. The result: A fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat thriller with a first-rate cast, directed by Michael Bay and produced by Don Simpson and Jerry bruckheimer. ... Read more

Reviews (256)

Break into "The Rock"
...But be sure the neighbors aren't home! This DVD (with the possible exception of "Apollo 13") has been the closest thing to the movie theater experience in the genre. My home theater system was BOOMING. A great digital transfer complements and showcases this action thriller.

You've read the synopsis so I won't bore you with my critique of the screenplay and acting. However, superb casting, a twinge of reality play by Nick Cage, a captivating Ed Harris and the evergreen suave presence of Sean Connery carries the cookie-cutter script playfully and effectively.

I came short of giving the film five stars only because of the "Die Hard" formulaic aspect of the film; a collection of hostages, weapons-savvy terrorists and the everyday Joe who saves the day. Otherwise, the movie is chock-full of memorable special effects, one-liners (Connery's annecdote of the "prom queen" is spectacular) and Director Michael Bay's talented use of atmosphere to tell the story. All of these aspects make "The Rock" a welcome addition to my DVD library.

Get Ready to Rock
Sean Connery and Nicolas Cage face incredible odds in the action-packed hit "The Rock". A rogue US general and his team seize control of Alcatraz and threaten the city of San Francisco with poison gas rockets. Now the lives of millions rest in the hands of a FBI chemical weapons specialist (Nicolas Cage) and a former Alcatraz escapee (Sean Connery). "The Rock" is a thrilling, edge-of-your-seat spectacle from start to finish. Director Michael Bay has gain success with such films as "Armageddon" and "Bad Boys" but "The Rock" still remains as the director's finest work. Sean Connery and Nicolas Cage have great onscreen chemistry and further drive the film's story. Director Michael Bay stages amazing action sequences including a fierce car chase within the streets of San Francisco.

If you weren't impress with the previous release then upgrade to "The Rock - Criterion Collection". The movie is presented in enhanced widescreen format. The DVD contains a stunning and flawless picture quality with vibrant color and sharpness. The Dolby Digital sound is certainly impressive and offers more aggresive surround effects than the DTS audio track. This 2-Disc Criterion Edition features audio commentaries by cast and crew, FX and action scenes featurettes, outtakes, trailers and the movie's premiere on Alcatraz. "The Rock" is non-stop fun and this Criterion Collection DVD earns an "A".

excellent film with great extra features
This review is for the Criterion Collection DVD edition of the film.

In this director approved Criterion Collection release, we are treated to some excellent materials.

The film follows the story of Francis Hummel (Ed Harris), a retired marine who takes hostages on Alcatraz island. His demand is that the families of soldiers killed in covert operations be given compensation. He treatens to launch VX nerve gas into the city of San Francisco if his demands are not met. A navy SEAL team is sent in to neutralize the threat. Helping out is Stanley Goodspeed (Nicholas Cage), a chemical weapons expert, and John Patrick Mason (Sean Connery), the only man to have escaped from Alcatraz.

The film has great acting and there are some good laughs in the film also. There are many action packed scenes including a car chase through the streets of San Francisco and the cars are often airborne when they go on the hills.

The Criterion DVD has many special features and is on a deouble disc set.

Disc 1 contains the movie with optional audio commentary by Director Michael Bay, Producer Jerry Bruckheimer, Technical advisor Harry Humphries, and actors Nicholas Cage and Ed Harris.

Disc 2 contains a theatrical trailer and TV spots, a video interview with producer Jerry Bruckheimer, a blooper reel, a special about the film's premiere on Alcatraz, scenes from a TV special "Secrets of Alcatraz" that contains interviews with actual former inmates and a history of the island from Native American times to modern times.

There is a special "Dos and Don'ts of Hollywood Gunplay" with the film's technical advisor Harry Humpries and Marshall Teague. This specail contains depictions of errors made in action films regarding the use of guns it emphasises saftey and common mistakes including gun drawing techniques that don't "work" such as the "gangster grab" or the "wyatt earp pull".

There are also 2 features on the films special effects. One is on the dive sequence and the other is on other effects, like the cable car crash. There are also storyboards, production stills and drawings.

This is a must biy for fans of the movie as well a fans of the Criterion Collection.

Fun film, but why on Criterion?
The Michael Bay - Jerry Bruckheimer formula, like that for the James Bond films, is pretty well set: lots of stuff blowing up, lots of bodies flying through the air, a cast dominated by strong male leads, women are very secondary, a very dramatic music score, lots of foul language and a very right of center political outlook (the military are always the heroes and anyone who questions the heroes' judgment are pansies or some other leftwing radical type). However, the James Bond films always had a sly sense of humor about themselves. Bond might save the American Space program, Fort Knox, Miami and the planet Earth, but there was always an underlying message: This is just for fun folks. The Bay-Bruckheimer films, however, have the delusion that they're actually fighting the battles depicted on screen. There's a lot of overwrought music, emotional scenes between the characters and slow motion closups of the hero(es) walking or running towards their battle with evil. The Rock, in this way, is no different. A team of marines, led by General Frank Hummell (Ed Harris) and disgusted with the way the U.S. Government has neglected the families of those soldiers killed in illegal missions abroad, has taken 81 hostages on Alcatraz, threatening to lauch nerve gas rockets into San Francisco unless reparations are paid to those soldiers' survivors. Heavy, heavy stuff.
However, injected into this serious mix is none other than the best James Bond himself -- Sean Connery. Even in the more serious early Bonds, Connery always managed to convey to the audience that they were supposed to have fun during these films. Bruckheimer and Bay do their best to elevate what is essentially Saturday morning action serial material into Wagnerian opera. But there is Connery, putting all the action into perspective by not taking anyting too seriously and grounding the material by recognizing what it really is: sheer entertainment.

Bay, Bruckheimer and company keep trying to push the fact that Ed Harris' desperate General Hummell is a man of honor, a real hero, etc., etc. Anyone who questions his judgment, like the hapless, simpering Presidential Chief of Staff at the first briefing scene, is shot down as a liberal wimp who would never make the sacrifices that Harris' character made for America and should shut up before one of the real men in the room shoot him (I wonder what George McGovern, Daniel Inouye and other liberals who fought for and were decorated for fighting for their country think of this kind of portrayal). Never mind that the General threatens to kill thousands of San Franciscans with nerve gas. Bay-Bruckheimer have stacked the deck by having the great Ed Harris play General Hummell, giving the character an inherent integrity that can't help but make him sympathetic. Fox News isn't this slanted.

In walks Connery who, in his big confrontation scene with Harris, gets right to the heart of the matter in a few lines. He correctly says that he doesn't see how "you cherish the memory of the dead by killing another million" and sums up Hummell's actions as "an act of lunacy." In one fell swoop, Connery slaps the collective message of the film across the face and shows that terrorism is terrorism, no matter if it's done by decorated U.S. soldiers with a legitimate gripe against the government. It's fairly certain that Connery, an executive producer of the film, purposely torpedoed Bay-Bruckheimer's testosterone toned view of the world.

In The Rock, Connery proves, once again, that an actor with a strong enough presence and a large amount of talent doesn't need to scream and shout to give a great performance. Nicholas Cage, Connery's co-star, bellows and shouts like he's on fire most of the film ("How, in Zeus' BUTTHOLE did you get out of your cell?!?!?!?!?!?" -- god, give it a rest, Nick!). Cage certainly isn't alone -- the rest of the cast buys into Bay-Bruckheimer's "this film is the most important thing you'll ever watch" mentality. However, Sean Connery, with his charm, wit and grace, throws a bucket of cold water over the entire proceedings and reminds everyone that the film is what it is and nothing more: a technically superb action film that exists merely to entertain ... period.

A final note: Criterion has always produced the finest quality DVD's loaded with many, many interesting extras. Most of the films Criterion has released are classics: Notorious, Roshamon, Ikiru, Yojimbo, Charade, Rebecca, etc. I enjoyed The Rock, but why did Criterion deem it good enough to rank with the other films they've released on DVD? Criterion has been selective in its releases and The Rock lowers the bar.

Connery Elevates the Entire Film
The Michael Bay - Jerry Bruckheimer formula, like that for the James Bond films, is pretty well set: lots of stuff blowing up, lots of bodies flying through the air, a cast dominated by strong male leads, women are very secondary, a very dramatic music score, lots of foul language and a very right of center political outlook (the military are always the heroes and anyone who questions the heroes' judgment are pansies or some other leftwing radical type). However, the James Bond films always had a sly sense of humor about themselves. Bond might save the American Space program, Fort Knox, Miami and the planet Earth, but there was always an underlying message: This is just for fun folks. The Bay-Bruckheimer films, however, have the delusion that they're actually fighting the battles depicted on screen. There's a lot of overwrought music, emotional scenes between the characters and slow motion closups of the hero(es) walking or running towards their battle with evil. The Rock, in this way, is no different. A team of marines, led by General Frank Hummell (Ed Harris) and disgusted with the way the U.S. Government has neglected the families of those soldiers killed in illegal missions abroad, has taken 81 hostages on Alcatraz, threatening to lauch nerve gas rockets into San Francisco unless reparations are paid to those soldiers' survivors. Heavy, heavy stuff.

However, injected into this serious mix is none other than the best James Bond himself -- Sean Connery. Even in the more serious early Bonds, Connery always managed to convey to the audience that they were supposed to have fun during these films. Bruckheimer and Bay do their best to elevate what is essentially Saturday morning action serial material into Wagnerian opera. But there is Connery, putting all the action into perspective by not taking anyting too seriously and grounding the material by recognizing what it really is: sheer entertainment.

Bay, Bruckheimer and company keep trying to push the fact that Ed Harris' desperate General Hummell is a man of honor, a real hero, etc., etc. Anyone who questions his judgment, like the hapless, simpering Presidential Chief of Staff at the first briefing scene, is shot down as a liberal wimp who would never make the sacrifices that Harris' character made for America and should shut up before one of the real men in the room shoot him (I wonder what George McGovern, Daniel Inouye and other liberals who fought for and were decorated for fighting for their country think of this kind of portrayal). Never mind that the General threatens to kill thousands of San Franciscans with nerve gas. Bay-Bruckheimer have stacked the deck by having the great Ed Harris play General Hummell, giving the character an inherent integrity that can't help but make him sympathetic. Fox News isn't this slanted.

In walks Connery who, in his big confrontation scene with Harris, gets right to the heart of the matter in a few lines. He correctly says that he doesn't see how "you cherish the memory of the dead by killing another million" and sums up Hummell's actions as "an act of lunacy." In one fell swoop, Connery slaps the collective message of the film across the face and shows that terrorism is terrorism, no matter if it's done by decorated U.S. soldiers with a legitimate gripe against the government. It's fairly certain that Connery, an executive producer of the film, purposely torpedoed Bay-Bruckheimer's testosterone toned view of the world.

In The Rock, Connery proves, once again, that an actor with a strong enough presence and a large amount of talent doesn't need to scream and shout to give a great performance. Nicholas Cage, Connery's co-star, bellows and shouts like he's on fire most of the film ("How, in Zeus' BUTTHOLE did you get out of your cell?!?!?!?!?!?" -- god, give it a rest, Nick!). Cage certainly isn't alone -- the rest of the cast buys into Bay-Bruckheimer's "this film is the most important thing you'll ever watch" mentality. However, Sean Connery, with his charm, wit and grace, throws a bucket of cold water over the entire proceedings and reminds everyone that the film is what it is and nothing more: a technically superb action film that exists merely to entertain ... period. ... Read more

Amazon.com

One can always count on Steven Seagal to act as the repository of yesterday's action-film clich&eacute;s, and Exit Wounds is yet another case in point. Seagal plays Detroit cop Orin Boyd, a lone wolf lawman who gets in the middle of his precinct's losing battle against police corruption. Taking on a powerful but crooked cop named Montini (David Vadim)--who is busy making deals with a rich gangster (DMX)--Boyd soon sends fists and feet flying while Tom Arnold provides the comic relief. Director Andrzej Bartkowiak surely had less fun guiding Seagal through slow-motion fight sequences than he did Jet Li in Romeo Must Die, but as compensation he gets to work with the mesmerizing DMX, who looks as though he has leading-man possibilities. Plenty of gratuitous gore, awful cop banter, and miles of cleavage courtesy of Jill Hennessy, who plays Boyd's tough-as-nails boss. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (108)

The best movie of 2001!
I saw the movie, then got the DVD to watch the Making Of and it was terrific. Steven Seagal reappears after taking a short break in this action packed flick with DMX, Michael Jai White (Spawn), Tom Arnold, Isaiah Washington and Anthony Anderson, who was the life of this movie. Anthony was funny, in fact I think he was the glue that kept the film and characters together.
Summary: Orin Boyd (Steven Seagal) hits rock bottom when he gets thrown out of his precinct 21 and into the worst precinct called 15. He starts off bad and gets worse making enemies from Commander Mulcahy (Jill Hennessy) all the way to the mens locker room and his nightmare begins wh