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Face Off [HD DVD] [1997] [US Import]


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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


When You Become Obsessed With the Enemy, You Become the Enemy
Review date: 2008-11-09 Rating: 8 out of 10

"Face Off" is that rarest of films, an intelligent and soulful action movie which is both excellent and bad in equal measure.

In fact, as far as I can remember, only "The Last Boy Scout" starring Bruce Willis was comparable; an exploration of the characters' humanity which was almost ruined by the usual clichés.

Aside from the slow-motion gun battle in which the young boy is listening to "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," almost all of the `Action' in this film is gratuitous rubbish. The metaphors are so blatant that they might as well be highlighted in neon. Even the plot itself is wildly implausible and full of gaping chasms. So in the end, the one thing that earned this film four stars was Nicolas Cage's incredible acting.

To be honest, as far as I'm concerned, John Travolta couldn't act his way out of a wet paper bag. But alongside his spectacular role as the terrorist Castor Troy, (a role which he pulled off magnificently but Travolta hammed up `til I wanted to cringe,) Cage's performance as John Travolta `Playing' Castor Troy was one of the best that I've ever seen.

Indeed, if it wasn't for Nicolas Cage, the film's message might have been buried. But thanks to his performance as the tortured agent who is given the identity of his nemesis, it should be clear to anyone who's actually paying attention.

"When You Become Obsessed With the Enemy, You Become the Enemy." In this case, literally.

After the murder of his son, the agent became totally obsessed with tracking down his killer. As one of the incidental songs states rather blatantly, the only thing that keeps him going is his desire for revenge.

He's long since ceased to be a husband and father to his wife and surviving daughter, throwing himself into his work to try and avoid his pain.

Even when he thinks that Troy is dead, he still can't let go of the guilt. But after spending a few weeks as the man who he's hunted for six years, seeing first hand what he's lost, what he's become and what is truly important, he's finally able to move forward again and get on with his life.


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Reviews


A good all rounder!
Review date: 2008-09-20 Rating: 8 out of 10

Nick cage and john travolta are a great paring in this movie the casting crew did a great job, The story is a little bit simplistic but otherwise its great film with plenty of twists and a happy ending. Its the sort of movie you can watch time and time again and stil be entertained by the line "i want to take his face off" it brings a smile to my face just typing it! A good all rounder.

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

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.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
John Travolta
Alessandro Nivola
Joan Allen
Nicolas Cage
Gina Gershon

Creators:
John Travolta (Primary Contributor)
Nicolas Cage (Primary Contributor)
Barrie M. Osborne (Producer)
Christopher Godsick (Producer)
David Permut (Producer)
Jeff Levine (Producer)

Director(s):

Recording label: Paramount
Manufacturer: Paramount
EAN: 0097361232744
Binding: HD DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: AC-3, Collector's Edition, Colour, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, Dubbed, Special Edition, Subtitled, Widescreen,
Release date: 2007-10-30
Universal product code (UPC): 097361232744
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Running time: 138 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1997-06-27
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: French (Original Language)
Language: Spanish (Original Language)
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: French (Subtitled)
Language: Spanish (Subtitled)
Language: French (Dubbed)
Language: Spanish (Dubbed)

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