Face/Off

7/1/2019

It's like looking in a mirror, only, not. There's a tendency to undervalue the action movie. Certainly there's a wide expanse of land in cinema world where film fans reside, where the thought of praising an action film for being "classic" cinema is considered treason against the very word. Yet some of the artistry involved in the genre's leading lights is purely sublime, regardless of how bizarre and unlikely the plot is. Enter John Woo's berserker, ear splitting, high octane actioner, Face/Off. Rightly sitting along side the likes of Die Hard and Predator as genre pieces that showcase how good things can be when it all comes together, Woo's movie is as much fun as you could wish to have for over two hours of explosive, fantastical, unadulterated cinema. The plot sees John Travolta's

10/18/2020

A quality all-out action film! <em>'Face/Off'</em> isn't one that'll stick out in my memory as something deep meaning, incredibly written or anything of the sort. However, as an action film it's superb. There's barely a chance to rethink what you've just seen due to the prevalent and manic nature of onscreen events. You also have fascinating performances from the two leads. Nicolas Cage and John Travolta are awesome in this. I won't spoil the plot, but all I will say is that those two bring it to life brilliantly - it felt, at least to me, very believable; which is impressive. Across the opening portion I thought it was going to be Cage stealing the show, but as things progress Travolta really comes up big to match Cage. Away from NC and JT, there isn't really anything to scream a

5/15/2023

Never seen a concept for movie this way. They literally trade faces. Good versus evil and not only do they trade faces but there characters and personalities have to change as well. 2 of the best that could ever do it. John turns into Nicholas and Nicholas turns into John. I would say Nicholas Cage played it better then John Travolta did.

1/6/2026

“Troy” (Nicolas Cage) is a nasty piece of work, and his latest bombing plot has attracted the attention of FBI man “Archer” (John Travolta). Now he has some personal skin in the game, as his nemesis was responsible for the death of his young son - an event both he and wife, physician “Eve” (Joan Allen) are still coming to terms with. When they apprehend him, though, the boffins come up with an unique plan that will enable "Archer" to infiltrate the terrorist gang and bring them all to justice whilst saving the city of Los Angeles from a grizzly fate. The trick? Well that involves some groundbreaking technology that will change his features from those of his own to those of “Troy”. All he has to do now is master a few of his more nasty character traits and then convince his girlfriend “Sash

7/25/2026

**Score: 9/10 — A Glorious, Unhinged Masterpiece of Maximum Overacting** Some films are subtle. Some films are restrained. And then there is *Face/Off* a film that takes the concept of "going for it" and launches it into orbit with a rocket strapped to its back. Directed by the inimitable John Woo, this is a movie that operates on a wavelength entirely its own: a gloriously unhinged, operatically ridiculous, and utterly mesmerising symphony of overacting, bullet ballets, and preposterous plotting. It earns a massive 9/10 for its sheer audacity, its commitment to the bit, and the undeniable electricity of watching two of Hollywood's most committed performers at the absolute peak of their powers. **The Premise: So Ridiculous It's Genius** The plot is, on paper, absurd: FBI agent Sea