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Face/Off [1997]
![Face/Off [1997]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41H73EQ8VXL._SL160_.jpg)
RRP: £17.99
Our Price: £3.00 (subject to change)
Editorial
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
Travolta Vs Cage - the ultimate action film
Review date: 2008-04-07 Rating: 10 out of 10
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
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Reviews
Great story, shame about the language...
Review date: 2008-02-04 Rating: 8 out of 10
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!"
Review date: 2008-01-15 Rating: 8 out of 10
'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
Review date: 2007-09-27 Rating: 2 out of 10
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
Review date: 2007-06-01 Rating: 10 out of 10
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.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Nicolas Cage
Joan Allen
Alessandro Nivola
Gina Gershon
John Travolta
Director(s):
Recording label: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainm
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainm
EAN: 5017188883160
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL, Widescreen,
Release date: 2001-06-11
Number of discs: 1
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 18 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 133 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1997-06-27
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: English (Original Language)