Face/Off (1997)
Average Rating: 7.9/10
Reviews Counted: 63
Fresh: 59 | Rotten: 4
John Travolta and Nicolas Cage play cat-and-mouse (and literally play each other) against a beautifully stylized backdrop of typically elegant, over-the-top John Woo violence.
Average Rating: 8.5/10
Critic Reviews: 17
Fresh: 17 | Rotten: 0
John Travolta and Nicolas Cage play cat-and-mouse (and literally play each other) against a beautifully stylized backdrop of typically elegant, over-the-top John Woo violence.
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Average Rating: 3.5/5
User Ratings: 416,378
My Rating
Movie Info
The third of John Woo's American-made feature films, Face/Off stars John Travolta as Sean Archer, an FBI agent obsessed with capturing Castor Troy (Nicolas Cage), a criminal genius who years before killed Archer's son while trying to assassinate the agent. Archer's single-minded pursuit of Troy has caused serious harm to his marriage, but Archer thinks the light may have appeared at the end of the tunnel when a seriously wounded Troy is captured in a bloody shootout. However, it turns out that
Jun 27, 1997 Wide
Oct 6, 1998
Paramount Pictures
Watch It Now
Cast
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John Travolta
Sean Archer -
Nicolas Cage
Castor Troy -
Joan Allen
Eve Archer -
Alessandro Nivola
Pollux Troy -
Gina Gershon
Sasha Hassler -
Dominique Swain
Jamie Archer -
Nick Cassavetes
Dietrich Hassler -
Harve Presnell
Lazzaro -
Colm Feore
Dr. Malcolm Walsh -
John Carroll Lynch
Prison Guard Walton -
CCH Pounder
Hollis Miller -
Robert Wisdom
Tito -
Margaret Cho
Wanda -
Jamie Denton
Buzz -
Matt Ross
Loomis -
Joe Bob Briggs
Shock Technician -
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Face/Off Trailer & Photos
All Critics (66) | Top Critics (19) | Fresh (64) | Rotten (4) | DVD (27)
Woo's poetic-kinetic style has evolved, if not to the point of abstraction, then to delirium: he makes a virtue of incredulity.
Top CriticJohn Woo's Face/Off puts the acting into action flick...
Top CriticScenes of high-voltage action vie with wild hilarity as two guys with guns switch faces and identities.
It's difficult to describe the jolt his films deliver when [Woo]'s on, and he is on with a vengeance here.
Watching John Travolta and Nicolas Cage square off and literally exchange roles brings back the old-fashioned pleasure of astutely judged movie star pairings in a major way.
A dizzying, beautiful ride.
Though the plotting is preposterous, this is John Woo's most successful American movie, demonstrating his unique signature as auetur applied to a a blockbuster.
Overwrought, sci-fi crime thriller. Not for kids.
Watching Travolta and Cage play dual hero and dual villain roles remains the most enjoyable aspect
This brutal, stunningly choreographed spectacle weaves together lyrical beauty, blasphemy, sadistic cruelty and grotesque sentimentality with breathtakingly smooth assurance.
Sets new standards for a genre which plays it safe and predictable too often.
Typical for Woo, the sheer force of the imagery is supposed to carry viewers past plot absurdities ... while at the same time, the director wants the audience to buy into the emotional lives of his obsessed and haunted characters.
This is your action movie on drugs--any questions? [Blu-Ray]
The action sequences are among the most intense and exhilarating you'll see in any film.
The dramatic scenes have emotional gravity, while the exhilarating action sequences defy gravity.
Garbage of the finest vintage.
...director John Woo takes an incredibly silly premise and despite its limitations turns it into an entertaining thrill ride.
... this operatic 1997 action thriller remains John Woo's most satisfying and exhilarating film since leaving Hong Kong for Hollywood.
The DVD extras start with two full-length audio commentaries, one by director John Woo, and a second by writers Mike Web and Michael Colleary.
the over-the-top action is underlined with characterization and emotion, albeit in an often heightened form that is more familiar to Asian audiences
possibly the greatest, and definitely the most exuberant, action film to come out of the studio system in the '90s
Audience Reviews for Face/Off
Super Reviewer
Upon watching this recently, I'm going to make a bold claim. I'd say this is one of the best action movies, period.
I truly believe that Hollywood never saw the best of John Woo. However, if there were any movies directed during his foray into Tinseltown that even came close to the grandiose HK action belters he is famous for, Face/Off was the best of them by a stretch.
The action sequences are haughty and adrenaline-induced! The opening and closing set pieces are particularly breathtaking. John Woo's famous 'bullet-ballet' is on full display, along with all the ridiculous firework-explosions, crimson backdrops, slow-mo diving shots, metal scenery, infinite-ammo weaponry and white doves we've come to expect from him!
The premise of this film is deliciously ridiculous and adds a delectable flavour to the mayhem. The dialogue is over-the-top, stereotypical and campy in the way a 90s action flick's should be. The characters are incredibly archetypal; a madman megalomaniacal baddie and a downtrodden cop who deals with the death of his son by investing himself completely in his work (at the expense of tending to his family).
Yet it all makes for a remarkable chemistry that works on every level! Special mention must go to Nic and John who play their parts so well, and each other's even better!
Basically, I love this film!
If you love action flicks, then watch it! NOW! You will not be disappointed!
In fact, make a night of it! 'Con Air', 'The Rock' and 'Face/Off'. DO IT!
Super Reviewer
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- Sean Archer: I hate to see you go, but I love to watch you leave.
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- Sean Archer: You can't give back what you've taken from me.
- Castor Troy: Oh well, plan B. Let's just kill each other.
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- Castor Troy: If you dress like Halloween, ghouls will try to get in your pants.
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- Castor Troy: Oh well... plan B: Let's just kill each other.
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- Castor Troy: Ooooh wee you're good lookin'! Ya hot!
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- Sean Archer: It's like looking at a mirror only... not.
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Latest News on Face/Off
March 25, 2011:
Nicolas Cage and John Travolta Miss Each OtherHey, who wants a "Face/Off" reunion? You've got good company: Nicolas Cage and John Travolta are...
August 10, 2006:
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May 18, 2005:
John Woo Makes a "Stranglehold" On Video Game PropertyThe Hollywood Reporter brings news of an upcoming non-movie project for acclaimed director John Woo...
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Foreign Titles
- Volte/Face (FR)
The movie is about a terrorist named Castor Troy and the cop, Sean Archer who has a personal vendetta in putting him away.
The movie is packed with action and great performances.
This will always be my favorite Travolta and Cage film. "