Even though the premise of “Face/Off” borders on the ridiculous (man has another man’s face transplanted onto his skull in order to infiltrate a terrorist group), the combination of action director master John Woo’s skillful directing coupled with acting by stars John Travolta and Nicolas Cage combine to make “Face/Off” an exciting, explosive thriller. And on HD-DVD, it’s even better.
Travolta plays Sean Archer, an FBI golden boy with a troubled marriage and an even more troubled daughter. When he learns of a plot to detonate a bomb in downtown Los Angeles by a group run by terrorist Castor Troy, he agrees to what is presented as the only possible way to get the information-undergo science-fictionesque surgery in which both he and Troy are sedated, have their FACES REMOVED, and then Archer has Troy’s face stitched onto his skull. He then has to act like Troy in order to get close to Troy’s brother and learn the location of the bomb.
Problem is, Troy wakes up from sedation and forces the doctor to implant Archer’s face onto him. Now Troy has access to Archer’s family, and in an interesting twist, turns out to be a better husband to Archer’s wife (played by Joan Allen), who is flattered by the sudden extra attention she is getting. Troy also straightens out a boy who is forcing himself on Archer’s daughter, and gives her a folding knife to use for protection.
This is one of those movies where you have to suspend your disbelief. Despite having their faces sliced off and then another one stitched on, neither Travolta nor Cage seem to have any scars at all. Oh, and I forgot about the throat implants that allow them to sound like each other when they speak. It gets a little confusing, hearing Travolta’s voice come out of Cage’s body, and sometimes I don’t know how the actors could even remember who they were supposed to be playing. For example, you’ve got Travolta, who was playing Sean Archer, but is now playing Castor Troy wearing Sean Archer’s face. It’s one of those movies where you just have to sit back and enjoy the ride.
Special features on the HD-DVD include commentaries by John Woo and two of the writers, seven deleted scenes including an alternate ending (in HD), “The Light and the Dark:Making Face/Off” (also in HD), the original theatrical trailer in HD, and “John Woo: A Life In Pictures” in HD. For action movie fans, Cage fans, and Travolta fans (Pulp Fiction Travolta, not Hairspray Travolta), “Face/Off” should be part of your collection, especially in HD.
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Twitter: bcmom
says:
I like this movie. We really like Nicolas Cage at our house. John Travolta isn’t too bad himself.
I’m OK suspending reality for a little while. We just got Transformers from library, so we’ll be watching that tonight.
Twitter: Table4Five
says:
Anna-Transformers seems to be one of those movies that people either really liked, or hated. I didn’t think I would like it, but I do! I think Shia LaBeouf is very talented for how young he is, and there were times that the robots were pretty funny. You’ll like it!
Twitter: bcmom
says:
I wasn’t going to watch it until I read your review. (So, of course, I’ll hold you responsible if I don’t like it!? just kidding) I like Shia LaBeouf, too.
T good movie; facial transplants are now getting possible. One woman had it recently.
Twitter: Table4Five
says:
Anna, so what did you think of Transformers? Did you like it more than you thought you would?
I’ve always liked this movie… Really any movie where John Travolta gets to play a bad guy (think Broken Arrow). Definitely need to check it out in HD though! It’s amazing how so many of my old favorites are like new these days!
Great review and nice blog!