Alessandro Nivola, CCH Pounder, Colm Feore

A revolutionary medical technique allows an undercover agent to take the physical appearance of a major criminal and infiltrate his organization.

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81% liked it

290,062 ratings

Critics

93% liked it

59 critics

R, 2 hrs. 30 min.

Directed by: John Woo

Release Date: June 27, 1997

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DVD Release Date: October 6, 1998

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Stats: 20,853 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (20,853)


  • September 18, 2009
    This is an awful film. Ridiculously overrated and the world record winner for the most amount of pouting in a film. I can't stand John Woo films, he's only made one that I like.
  • December 22, 2008
    Excellent movie about two men on opposite sides - one criminal and one law enforcement. In order to stop a bomb, Sean (John Travolta) has to become Castor (Nicolas Cage). He undergoes surgery but then Castor takes his face and becomes him. Great cast and storyline.
  • September 18, 2008
    A little too much directorial excess here, but great gonzo performance from Cage.
  • August 21, 2008
    Castor Troy: When all else fails - fresh tactics!

    A high concept, action movie plot elevated by John Woo's direction and it's main players.

    The story surrounds an FBI agent Sean Archer, played by John Travolta and a terrorist Castor Troy, played by Nicolas Cage. Troy has prev...( read more)iously murdered Archer's son, causing a devotion from Archer to catching him.

    Upon finally catching Troy and putting him into a coma, a discovery is learned that a bomb has been secretly placed in LA, and the only way to find out how to stop it, is through Castor Troy's brother, Pollux. This involves the latest in plastic surgery. Meaning that Archer will have his face replaced with Troy's and go to prison to try and find out info from Pollux.

    Problems arise when Castor awakens from his coma, steals Archer's own face, and burns all evidence of the situation.

    Castor Troy: It's like looking in a mirror. Only... not.

    As over-the-top as this sci-fi twist for the plot may seem, it provides for not only a great action film, but for a good character movie as well.

    Travolta and Cage both pull double duty by playing their own characters, and then switching to play one another. They slip into finding the little ticks that make these actors.

    Pollux Troy: Seeing that face on you makes me afraid my tiramisu might come back up.
    Castor Troy: Well, think about me. This nose. This hair. This ridiculous chin.

    It works great for the story. Watching Travolta as Cage, do everything thing he can to destroy his enemies life, while Cage as Travolta is stuck in impossible situations makes for a great double-revenge film.

    It also helps that John Woo does his best work in an American film yet. The action scenes are great, complete with signature Woo moments including double pistols, doves, and of course slo-mo. This movie is 2 hours and 20 minutes, but its paced so well that I never really notice.

    Complete with solid direction, fun from the leads, a good score, some good supporting players, and neat ways to keep the premise interesting, this is one of the best action movies of the 90s.

    Castor Troy: I don't know what I hate wearing worse: your face or your body. I mean I certainly do enjoy boning your wife, but let's face it, we both like it better the other way, yes? So why don't we trade back.
    Sean Archer: You can't give back what you've taken from me.
    Castor Troy: OK, plan B. Assist kill each other.
  • August 8, 2008
    I watched this film again as an adult, and it's not quite as good now, but Cage and Travolta did well here. Without them, this movie probably would've just been another bland John Woo outing. Ironically, it was probably Woo's best film concept.
  • November 6, 2009
    skillfully concealed until the end
  • November 5, 2009
    wow , this movie i just cant get enough of it , i watched like 298572 times :D
  • November 5, 2009
    Face Off Pictures, Images and Photos

    Face Off is an awesome action packed movie about a cop named Sean Arch...( read more)er who gets revenge by capturing the one man Castor Troy who accidentally killed his son. Years later, Archer captured Troy in a hangout at a airport during a violent shootout. When Archer caught Troy, he also caught his brother during the process & found something in his brief case containing information about a bomb they planted in a building. There is only one problem, Archer doesnt know which building the bomb is hidden in. Now, the only way Archer can find out that info & bring Castor down, is for Archer to take Troy's identity by becoming him so he can trap him.

    face off
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    face off
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    Face off has a ton nonstop action sequences including shootouts, chasing, & explosions throughout. The acting was great from everyone including the main stars of the movie which are John Travolta & Nicolas Cage. It has alot of bad language so dont be suprised when you watch this film. John Woo did excellent job with the gunfight scenes & set pieces. I really enjoyed this film & I'm sure everyone else will feel the same way too. This is also a very entertaining action flick so you wont be bored one bit while watching it. Overall, I recommend this movie for action junkies only, nothing more. Face Off is a rocket.full adrenaline pumping action.

    To destroy your enemy, you must find him, face him, and then... become him.

    5 stars
  • November 4, 2009
    Castor Troy:Hello, Doctor. I hope you don't mind: I took a few of your groovy painkillers. I'm just enjoying some of your greatest hits here. Oh God, this is excellent.
    .Oh, bravo. Bra-fucking-vo.

    ...( read more)ohsfile/copyrightlilohfaceoff.gif" border="0" alt="Photobucket">

    THANK YOU JOHN WOO! This movie is truly worth seeing over again thousands of times.
  • November 4, 2009
    Muy entretenida... A pesar de lo chafa.

Critic Reviews


May 11, 2001
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

Scenes of high-voltage action vie with wild hilarity as two guys with guns switch faces and identities. full review

January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

You see what thickets this plot constructs; it's as if Travolta adds the spin courtesy of Cage's personality, while Cage mellows in the direction of Travolta. full review

January 1, 2000
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com

Florid, passionate, frequently hilarious and loaded with messy emotions that nobody in his or her right mind should even attempt to explain, it's operatic in its nutball intensity. full review

January 1, 2000
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

This is grand moviemaking with grand acting. full review

View more Face/Off reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • bevschaeffer510
    March 15, 2009
    THIS MOVIE IS ONE OF MY ALL TIME FAVORITE'S TRAVOLTA & CAGE TOGETHER WERE AWSOME LUV IT BEVERLY
  • bigmanonthetube
    February 23, 2009
    This is one of my favorite Travolta films, and definitely a winner for John Woo. We have yet to see this type of plot redone as well in my opinion.
  • Hannnahhh
    April 6, 2008
    Fave film xoox
  • redrose20794
    February 29, 2008
    a great film 4 a great actors
  • linkyspears
    December 4, 2007
    a great movie more like this should be made.
  • xuraveragegalx
    August 28, 2007
    best film around ...... nicholas cage is hot lol ..... ya have gotta watch dis film x
  • Cozy2
    June 16, 2007
    This is a bad ass movie. I loved it. nicholas is so hot and sexy! Love Him.
  • tobedefined101
    May 17, 2007
    If you know anything about action movies you would know your looking at one of the best ever made
  • bellestarr81
    May 13, 2007
    this is the hottest movie ever
  • gotmusic101
    May 7, 2007
    This movie took on another role of, can I borrow your mask. Heh Heh Heh.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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