Tonight on TV: Michael Bay’s explosive tribute to Sean Connery’s James Bond

Rock : When Michael Bay recruits Sean Connery

It will have escaped anyone’s attention that John Patrick Mason, the character played by the immense Sean Connery in the film Rock by Michael Bay, has a thousand similarities with the great role in the career of the Scottish actor who died on October 31, 2020: James Bond. On this sad occasion, the director also paid a beautiful tribute to the actor. But his 1996 film already was, full of several references to Agent 007.

Although he appears near the end of the film, around the 25 minute mark, John Patrick Mason is first introduced by a discussion between FBI Director Womack (John Spencer) and the Chief Justice (Philip Baker Hall). Then again between Womack and FBI Special Agent Paxton (William Forsythe), where his arms exploits are detailed. A way to forcefully prepare for his entrance and give him legendary status.

Former SAS agent (former British secret service) – first clue – he has been detained for decades for stealing and hiding precious microfilms containing all, or almost all, the secrets of the American government. The FBI will need him, the only man to escape from Alcatraz, to dislodge General Hummel and his men from Alcatraz. Taken from his cell, with a badly groomed beard and very long hair, he will soon regain his splendor and a beautiful dress, Obviously Bond style.

Lots of references to James Bond

Using Sean Connery in an action film and in the role of a former English secret agent is in itself an inevitable and explicit reference to 007. Sean Connery has in fact officially played the role of James Bond six times. From James Bond vs Doctor No in 1962 a Diamonds are forever in 1971, and an unofficial final and seventh time Never again in 1983. According to almost unanimous opinion, he is the best interpreter of the character. And from his meeting with FBI agent Stanley Goodspeed (Nicolas Cage), with whom he will team up Rock, thus repeats an answer who gave in Diamonds are forever : “Of course you are” (at 0’14 in the two excerpts below).

Much later, when they have just escaped from the Alcatraz morgue, they are found in the pipes. Stanley Goodspeed asks John Patrick Mason how he can kill so easily. He then replies: with catarrh entirely British :

I was trained by the best. The British secret services. But on reflection I would have preferred to be a poet. O farmer.

One last reference in the staging of the final sequence

Characterizing the character in this way and giving him lines of dialogue that nod to James Bond is one thing, but offering a reference in the staging and framing of a shot is another. And this is where Michael Bay is very strong. In fact, at the end of the film, when they have completed their mission and John Patrick Mason has (again) saved Stanley Goodspeed, the former James Bond goes away to disappear once and for all.

It therefore appears in a rectangular frame, a plane with a different geometry but basically similar in intention to the famous “Gunbarrel shot”, signature of the opening sequences of the 007 films.

A final shot, from which he disappears in the following seconds, leaving Stanley Goodspeed alone to continue the adventure, since Sean Connery would definitively leave his role asaction hero to make room for others. Others like Nicolas Cage for example, who continued the following year The wings of hell AND Flip/Face. A plan to pay homage to the actor and cinema legend that was Sean Connery.

For fans of Rockwe can only highly recommend this thread by Robert Hospyan, screenwriter and critic, who did an excellent job of analyzing the film.

Source: Cine Serie

Ray

Ray Ortiz is a journalist at Gossipify, known for his coverage of trending news and current events. He is committed to providing readers with accurate and unbiased reporting, and is respected for his ability to keep readers informed on the latest news and issues.