Face/Off

There’s definitely a drawing point between a ridiculous action story that satisfies the audience into shaky, persistent acceptance and one that makes the viewer folds their arms as to show that they are annoyed. Peter Canavese stated in his review, “It's all about the return on the investment of credulity: what do you get for meeting this movie halfway (if not more than halfway)?” When looking at “Face/Off,” released in 1997, you the intelligent casting that makes the movie look like an all-star cast to complete the all-star films. Canavese stated, “You also get director John Woo triumphantly wielding Hollywood resources for one of his patented gonzo action ballets. Trust me: it's worth it.”

I agree with Canavese when he said, “Despite those balletic shootouts, Face/Off seems tonally pitched somewhere between opera and comic book.” The crazy officer in this film is FBI agent Sean Archer, played by John Travolta. Under Archer’s firm attitude, his covert anti-terrorist team has been endlessly finding the crazed terrorist Castor Troy, played by Nicolas Cage. It’s more than police duty for Archer, this is personal. Troy accidentally killed Archer’s son, played by Myles Jeffrey, while trying to kill Archer and Archer won’t stop until he has his vengeance. Unfortunately, since he has his mind set on vengeance, it drives him away from his family and has weakened his relationship with wife Eve (Joan Allen) and teen daughter (Dominique “Lolita” Swain). The amazing supporting cast of FBI agents and crooks includes Arve Presnell and John Carroll Lynch, CCH Pounder, Robert Wisdom, Jamie Denton, Nick Cassavetes, Thomas Jane, and comedian Margaret Cho, among others.

In the type of amazing action segment you don’t see so much outside of CGI these days, Archer kidnaps Troy after chasing his airplane straight into a closed hanger (and it wouldn’t be a Woo movie if they didn’t have an all-out gun fight as well). The problem: Troy goes into a coma before showing the plans on his latest terrorist plan: a bomb planted to kill Los Angeles. With the clock ticking down, FBI doctor Malcolm Walsh (Colm Feore) gives a drastic idea: a face transplant between Archer and Troy, allowing Archer to break into Erewhon Prison and trick Castor’s scary brother Pollux (Alessandro Nivola) into revealing the location of the bomb. (Canavese said, “Nowhere land Erewhon, introduced by the line "The Geneva Convention is void here. Amnesty International doesn't know we exist" reflects our long-standing fear-desire for Abu Ghraib-style shambles.”)

Canavese also mentioned, “If you're not already having fun, try not to now, with Cage playing Travolta in a futuristic take-off on White Heat.” Still not satisfied? How about after Castor Troy wakes up from his coma and puts on Archer’s face? The only thing more fun than Cage playing Travolta is Travolta playing Cage. Also, have them together in one scene? Forget about all of that! Canavese said, “Face/Off is one for the career highlight reel, and these guys know it, putting their all into full-bodied performances with dramatic heft and ripe comic touches, whether it's Cage donning a priest's outfit and grabbing a choir girl, or Travolta (as Cage) blurting to Cage (as Travolta), "Ooo-ee—you're good-looking!"”

Travolta’s Troy says, “Ah, yes. The eternal battle between good and evil. Saint and sinner. But you’re still not having fun!” “Face/Off” gives the type of story that’s just on Woo’s level, giving for smart visual commentary on the nature of identity, personal damage, and yes, good versus evil. Take the face-off dual on two sides of a mirror stand, with the characters simultaneously pointing guns at each other and their reflections, as well as (on the other side of the mirrors) their own faces. This is you action movie adrenaline – any questions?

Canavese said, “Woo's extensive storyboards lead to a beautifully and confidently shot and edited action film, with his trademark slo-mo leaps, two-fisting of guns, Mexican standoffs, flowing overcoats, and rustled pigeons, but this particular picture seems to liberate Woo to stranger heights, as in the explosive apartment shootout that places at its center a boy named Adam (David McCurley) (Gina Gershon plays Adams mom, Sasha), watching the mayhem but hearing "Over the Rainbow" on his portable headphones—it's a haunting image of disconnect and tainted youth that only seems more resonant today (and naturally, Adam will meet Eve before the picture is over).” Like the entire movie, this scene is extreme, it’s daring, and it’s terrific. As Jamie yells during the climactic shootout (leading into a double-climactic speedboat chase), “Will someone please tell me what planet I’m on?!” Canavese answered, “Yes. You're on Planet Woo.”

Nostalgia Critic called this movie, “over-the-top, ridiculous, totally bloated 90s cheese fun.” However, I think that description fits John Woo’s previous movie with John Travolta, “Broken Arrow.” “Face/Off” is one of the best action movies I have ever seen. To have Travolta and Cage star in this, and Woo direct, it makes it all the more pleasure to watch this movie. With this all-star cast and a great action plot like this, you have to see this movie. You will love this movie because it will have you on the edge of your seat, with your adrenaline pumping and your blood flowing. If you’re a Nicolas Cage, John Travolta, and/or a John Woo fan, this movie is a must. Especially with a great line like, “I could eat a peach for hours.”

I apologize for posting this late, as so much was going on today. Look out next week when I look at a “bad” Nicolas Cage movie, which he probably has done so many of, but this one in particular was possibly the worst decision he made…maybe not. Just stick around to find out in the finale to “Nicolas Cage Month.”