DVD
REVIEW: FACE OFF
(HD)
10/27/07
Nowadays, when everything
imaginable has been done; the action genre has gone the way
of the copycat. Most every new action movie is just a copy
of some distant predecessor. Every once in a while, however,
a movie comes that will reinvigorate the genre and launch a
hold new set of copycats. In 1997, John Woo, did such a
thing with Face/Off a visually stylish gun-fu extravaganza.
In Face/Off Sean Archer (John Travolta) is an FBI agent in
the secretive anti-terrorism workforce. Archer’s time is
consumed with catching Castor Troy (Nicolas Cage) who
accidentally kill Archer’s son when trying to kill Archer.
When a break leads Archer to a plane Castor is about to
board, he heads to the site. Castor Troy is about to a get
away when Archer takes command of a helicopter and stops the
plane and finally captures Castor Troy. Castor Troy is
hospitalized in a coma and his brother Pollux Troy
(Alessandro Nivola) is sent to Erewhon prison.
When plans for a bomb are found on the plane, Pollux Troy is
questioned, but says nothing. Archer knows that Pollux is a
psychotic paranoid and will only speak with Castor. One of
the Agents suggest an experimental but reversible procedure
where Archer can take the appearance of Castor. After Archer
takes the appearance of Castor he is sent to Erewhon prison
and gets Pollux to tell him the whereabouts of the bomb.
Before Archer has a chance to tell his team, Castor wakes
from this coma, sees his missing face and calls his
entourage to gather the doctor who preformed the procedure
on Archer. After his face is replaced with that of Archer,
Castor kills everyone who knew anything about the procedure.
Now looking like Archer, Castor takes the role of the FBI
agent, cuts a deal to free his brother and Archer, now
Castor, is left in Erewhon prison.
A great movie needs a great antagonist and Castor Troy is
probably one of the best. Castor is played perfectly by
Nicolas Cage. His sinister smile and over the top
performance is just what the character needs. Travolta’s
interpretation loses a little of the maniacal performance
but makes him just as sinister. Cage’s Sean Archer isn’t as
affectionate as Travolta’s, however, he still manages to be
convincing. Without the performances of these two great
actors this movie would not have been as effective. Original
the movie was going to be made with Stallone and
Schwarzenegger, but when Woo stepped in he opted for
Travolta and Cage.
Face/Off features three main action sequences. The opening
sequence has Archer in a helicopter bringing down an
airplane and a gun fight the insues thereafter that is truly
amazing. The second sequence transpires at Castors Troy’s
ex-girlfriend’s house with a gun battle over Judy Garland's
Somewhere Over the Rainbow playing in the background that is
classic film making. The final action sequence has so much
action that you will be begging for it all to be over as Woo
goes overboard and works the action into overdrive.
Paramount did a great job with this HD-DVD transfer. The
video is pristine and rich in detail with artifacts almost
non-existence. The HD-DVD also contains a wonderful set of
features all shown in glorious HD.
VIDEO:
Anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1)
AUDIO:
English 5.1
Dolby TrueHD/Digital Plus EX
English 6.1 DTS-ES
French 5.1 Dolby Digital Plus
Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital Plus
Subtitles English/English SDH/French/Spanish/Portuguese
SPECIAL FEATURES:
DISK I
Commentary by
director John Woo and Writers Mike Werb and Michael Colleary
Commentary by writers Mike Werb and Michael Colleary
Deleted Scenes with optional commentary
1. Castor
Kills the janitor
2. Archer weeps
3. Childhood lessons
4. Hideaway lesson
5. Archer vs. Castro finale
6. Will dad be dad again?
7. Alternate Ending - This alternative ending is mystifying, but unnecessary. Audiences would definitely have been disappointed with it.
DISK II
The light and the dark: Making Face/Off
Science
Fiction/Human Emotion: Writers and cast discuss the
science behind Face/off. The complexity of the characters is
also discussed. (9:44)
Cast/Characters - The casting of Travolta and Cage
is discussed. (17:21)
Woo/Hollywood - The cast talks about John Woo and
his signature style. (21:33)
Practical/Visual Effects - The stunts and the visual
effects are discussed. (9:41)
Future/Pass - John Woo discuses how the studio had a problem
with the ending. (5:55)
John Woo: A Life in Pictures- John Woo talks
about his life in Hong Kong and his movies. (26:02)
RATING BREAK DOWN:
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Review
By Milton Brayson
milton@smartcine.com
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