John Travolta and Nicolas Cage are over the top as two rivals on the opposite sides of the law. When FBI agent Sean Archer (Travolta) finally catches the man who killed his son he finds out there is one catch, there’s a bomb ticking away somewhere in LA. Through the course of capturing the terrorist, bad guy Castor Troy (Cage) is lying in a coma and now only Troy’s brother can help to find the bomb in time. So what do you do? Well you try an experimental surgery where you can actually swap faces. You read that right; they actually switch faces and pretend to be their nemesis. Like I said you have to be able to believe in the whole crazy concept and if you can you’re in for a balls out, bullet’s blazing ride.
Now just sit back and enjoy as Travolta and Cage have fun trying to out mimic the other as they not only swap faces but their actual lives as well. “This nose, this hair, this ridiculous chin,” Travolta’s Archer comments on his signature looks coming out of the mouth of bad guy Troy (wearing Archer’s face). From mannerisms to even attacking each other’s physical attributes the two stars have fun at themselves as they parody each other and the results are pure fun.
Finally for the 10th anniversary, this 1997 movie is getting the red carpet treatment and has been re-released in a 2-disc special edition collector’s edition. The first disc features two audio commentary tracks with director John Woo and screenwriters Mike Werb and Michael Colleary. Both are full of trivia and insight from beginning to end of the project. The insights are very truthful such as the screenwriters having problems with some of Woo’s decision to alter their story. Other tidbits include how the movie could have been quite different with other actors considered for the lead like Nicholas Cage vs. Johnny Depp or Bruce Willis vs. Alec Baldwin. In fact the story started with the idea of how it would be fun if there was a movie with Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger going head to head.
Also included on disc one are six deleted scenes and an alternate ending with optional commentary track by Woo and screenwriters. These are not throw away scenes and the extra bad guy moment where Cage’s Troy kills a janitor is classic.
On disc 2 we have two documentaries. The first one is a nicely produced in-depth look at the making of the film entitled, “The Light and The Dark: Making Face/Off.” This five chapter documentary goes deep into examining everything from the original script to the special effects and everything in between. It’s interesting listening to say the Weapons Coordinator on counting bullets so the stars never pointed a loaded gun in each other’s face. It’s these things you don’t think about that goes into a film that makes the process all the more overwhelming.
The second documentary is a 30-minute look into the director from his childhood to his key work in Hong Kong. It’s a perfect introduction to the genius that is John Woo and worth the time to check out.
Also and finally a theatrical trailer is included that, as far as trailers go, is a nice one. There’s a specially shot opening where Travolta’s Archer is talking about his years of hunting down Cage’s Troy saying “I’ve finally found a way to track him, I will become him!” As he expresses this, the camera pans around his back and he is now Cage but with Travolta’s voice. It’s a fun little visual effect that prepares you for the rest of the trailer that is chocked full of one-liners and action scenes.
Let’s face it, Face/Off is a guys film. It’s silly at times, completely unbelievable, full of action, humor and signature Woo moments. This is, along with Mission Impossible II, Woo at his American film best.
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