Face/Off [1997]

Product Details

Director : John Woo
Actor : John Travolta, Nicolas Cage, Joan Allen, Alessandro Nivola, Gina Gershon
Format : PAL, Widescreen
Aspect Ratio : 2.35:1
Binding : DVD
EAN : 5017188883160
Number of Discs : 1
Product Group : DVD
Region Code : 2
Release Date : 2001-06-11
Running Time : 133minutes
Studio : Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainm

ASIN : B00004CXIG

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review

At his best, director John Woo turns action movies into ballets of blood and bullets grounded in character drama. Face/Off marks Woo's first American film to reach the pitched level of his best Hong Kong work (Hard-Boiled). He takes a patently absurd premise--hero and villain exchange identities by literally swapping faces in science-fiction plastic surgery--and creates a double-barrelled revenge film driven by the split psyches of its newly redefined characters. FBI agent Sean Archer (John Travolta) must play the villain to move through the underworld while psychotic terrorist Castor Troy (Nicolas Cage) becomes a perversely paternal family man, while using every tool at his disposal to destroy his nemesis. Travolta vamps Cage's tics and flamboyant excess with the grace of a dancer after his transformation from cop to criminal, while Cage plays the sullen, bottled-up agent excruciatingly trapped behind the face of the man who killed his son. His attempts to live up to the terrorist's reputation become cathartic explosions of violence that both thrill and terrify him. This is merely icing on the cake for action fans, the dramatic backbone for some of the most visceral action thrills ever. Woo fills the screen with one show-stopping set-piece after another, bringing a poetic grace to the action freakout with sweeping camerawork and sophisticated editing. This marriage of melodrama and mayhem ups the ante from cops-and-robbers clichés to a conflict of near-mythic levels. --Sean Axmaker

Special Features

1.85 Wide Screen
DVD 9
English
English
Region 2
Dolby Digital 5.1 English
Dolby Digital 5.1
Action Overload
Cast Biographies
Theatrical Trailer
English

Synopsis

The ordeal of super-heroic, singularly dedicated FBI agent Sean Archer (John Travolta – BLOW OUT, SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER) is only beginning after finally capturing his arch nemesis, Castor Troy (Nicolas Cage – WILD AT HEART, NATIONAL TREASURE), an elusive, maniacal terrorist who claimed the life of Archer's son. While Troy languishes in a coma, Archer surgically 'borrows' Troy's face in an attempt to gather evidence about Troy's last bomb--which is currently ticking away in a Los Angeles office building. Trouble ensues when Troy wakes up faceless, borrows Archer's visage, and makes a mess of Archer's life; all the while, both men struggle to adapt to their new identities while struggling to blow each other away.

Another balletic, thematically complex action smorgasbord from Hong Kong action director John Woo (HARD BOILED, THE KILLER), FACE/OFF is the perfect showcase for the acting talents of Travolta and Cage, each spending most of the film perfectly imitating the other. The pair are also ably supported by Joan Allen (THE CONTENDER, THE ICE STORM), Allesandro Nivola (I WANT YOU, GOAL!) and Gina Gershon (BOUND, SHOWGIRLS).

Customer Reviews

Travolta Vs Cage - the ultimate action film (2008-04-07)

The synopsis above will tell the plot and the general outline of the film which. can I just say, is fantastic; but what it doesnt say is how the two actors Cage and Travolta turn out what is possibly two of the best performances of their professional career. This is when actors are put to the test. Not only do both fully commit to their character and delivering a believable performance that submerses the audience into the plot, when the two actors swap chatacers they take on each others characteristics, movements, posture, facial expressions, and everything that defines how the other actor created their character. Effectively what you will see is Travolta playing Cage playing Travolta, and Cage playing Travolta playing Cage. Its ingenious!The effect this has on the audience is outstanding, as you cant help but be drawn into the film, holding your breath and sitting on the edge of your seat as each twist turns the plot into a new direction. Althoguh ultimately you know how its going to end, the acting is fantastic, the film is beautifully shot, and it has that perfect balance of intelligent scripting, action, comedy and real emotion. If you get this film there is no way you cannot be entertained. Having seen it for the first time last night, Ive just bought it, and would highly recommend you do the same

Great story, shame about the language... (2008-02-04)

I really did enjoy this film as I do love the idea of switched identities (e.g. Freaky Friday!) But I belive the films only flaw was the pointless swearing and too much gun violence which could have been halved. However if thats your thing then definatley buy this film, the story does make up for it.

"Excellent Action movie in High Def!" (2008-01-15)

'Face/Off' is one of the most unique action films of the '90s -- it abandons convention and embraces John Woo's signature style without compromise. Fans of modern actioners may not be as wowed as audiences were back in 1997 (since the new wave of genre blockbusters have blatantly cribbed from Woo's playbook), but nearly every viewer is likely to find something to love in this wonderfully complex film.

SWITCH /OFF (2007-09-27)

I've seen some diabolical storylines over the years, but this is amongst the most naff.Basically Nicholas Cage is a good guy, John Travolta isn't. Surgeons swap their faces (under the NHS) and our story continues YAWN, YAWN, YAWN.Two good actors who should have left the phone switched off when they were auditioned.

How technology can go wrong (2007-06-01)

Nicholas Cage completes a hat trick of action movies after 'The Rock' and 'Con Air'. This is the best of the lot.Face Off deals with the switching of identities for police purposes and how this is misused for criminal intent.The baddy is Nicholas Cage (though he seems good for one half of the movie) and the good guy is Travolta (whose swapped character of Cage is a real slimeball). A film that shows how technology can go wrong with excellent performances.

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