Thursday, ITV4, 9:00pm
Ah, The Rock—not just a nickname for Dwayne Johnson, but one of the quintessential 90s action films that defined a generation of explosion-loving cinema enthusiasts. Directed by Michael Bay, the 1996 blockbuster follows an absurd yet gripping premise involving a team of rogue Marines, stolen chemical weapons, and an audacious escape artist played by Nicolas Cage, teaming up with none other than Sean Connery, the world’s grumpiest retired spy. With Alcatraz island as the setting, the film cranks up the tension and testosterone to levels that would make most action directors sweat.
The film's pulsating heartbeat comes courtesy of Hans Zimmer, with additional contributions from Nick Glennie-Smith and Harry Gregson-Williams. Zimmer’s signature bombast is on full display here, with towering brass sections, thunderous percussion, and sweeping strings that could rouse even the sleepiest cinephile. Tracks like "Hummell Gets the Rockets" and "The Chase" deliver wall-to-wall adrenaline, seamlessly melding orchestral and electronic elements in a way that was cutting-edge at the time. If it all sounds a bit like Pirates of the Caribbean in a military uniform, that's because Zimmer later mined this score for some thematic DNA in his swashbuckling adventures.
For collectors, the soundtrack has a complicated history, as several editions and bootlegs have floated around over the years. The official release omits a few cues, sparking frustration among fans keen to hear the complete orchestration. (An extended version was eventually cobbled together for those willing to dig deep.) If you’re a Zimmer fanatic, this soundtrack is practically a rite of passage, representing his rise to blockbuster dominance. With its relentless energy and unapologetic grandeur, The Rock remains a quintessential audio-visual spectacle—and proof that, sometimes, Michael Bay does know how to make art. Or at least really loud fun.
- Paul Allen