The real weapons against the Hummel are the former SAS soldier, John Mason (Sean Connery), and the chemist, Dr. Stanley Goodspeed (Nicolas Cage).  Mason has been locked away in secret in a United States prison for the last three decades, one of these prisons used to be Alcatraz from which Mason also escaped.  Goodspeed is a laid-back chemist that works for the FBI’s chemistry unit that has never been outside of a laboratory, which makes him more of a hazard than an asset as they enter the undergrounds of Alcatraz.

Michael Bay brings the audience a film full of daunting stunts, explosions, and shoot outs.  The special effects are a big part of this carnival of sound and color which is tied together neatly with a decent story.  The story is well balanced with good actors and well developed characters.  For example, the evil Hummel is not just a bad guy as he also has a deeper moral value, which fuels his anger that drives him to this madness.  Goodspeed is obsessed about vinyl records and his wife just got pregnant.  These small character traits that are portrayed on the silver screen enhance the cinematic experience as it brings texture to the story, which offers humor, suspense, and drama. 

DIRECTED BY

Michael Bay

COUNTRY

USA

Filmography links and data courtesy of