Face/Off

Name: Face/Off
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Drama, Thriller, Crime
Released: June 27, 1997
Duration: 138 min
Rating: 82
Cast: John Travolta, Nicolas Cage

1997

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 25 Critics

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 530 Ratings

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8.8

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8.8	Your Score
8.8	User Score Universal acclaim based on 530 Ratings

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FACE/OFF

Movie Details & Credits

Paramount Pictures | Release Date: June 27, 1997

Starring: John Travolta, Nicolas Cage

Summary: FBI agent Sean Archer (Travolta) knows how to stop elusive terrorist Castor Troy (Cage). He'll become him. Archer undergoes a futuristic surgery and has Troy's face mapped onto his, then infiltrates the terrorist's world to discover his deadly secrets. But as much as Archer looks and acts like Troy, he doesn't really know him. He neverFBI agent Sean Archer (Travolta) knows how to stop elusive terrorist Castor Troy (Cage). He'll become him. Archer undergoes a futuristic surgery and has Troy's face mapped onto his, then infiltrates the terrorist's world to discover his deadly secrets. But as much as Archer looks and acts like Troy, he doesn't really know him. He never figures Troy will retaliate and force doctors to transform him into Archer. Now the agent faces a shattering nightmare: his archrival is living with his family. (Paramount)… Expand

Director: John Woo

Genre(s): Action, Sci-Fi, Drama, Thriller, Crime

Rating: R

Runtime: 138 min

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Awards & Rankings

7	#7 Best Movie of 1997
17	#17 Most Discussed Movie of 1997
8	#8 Most Shared Movie of 1997

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Rolling Stone - Peter Travers

Exciting and then some, Face/Off blends the director's supercharged images of balletic brutality and spiritual catharsis with an off-the-wall humor that allows John Travolta and Nicolas Cage to really let it rip. Read full review

100

The Globe and Mail (Toronto) - Rick Groen

The result is a genre picture that transcends the genre, that gleefully embraces four qualities alien to the bulk of its noisy brethren: (1) thematic texture; (2) kinetic grace; (3) visuals that toy with the mind even while dazzling the eye; and (3) performers who are permitted to act like something other than human wicks for the pyrotechnical bombast. Read full review

The New York Times - Elvis Mitchell

Before we go numb from such prefab excitement, here comes a mega-movie that actually delivers what mega-movies promise: strong characters, smart plotting, breathless action and a gimmick that hasn't been seen before. Read full review

USA Today - Andy Seiler

It could be argued that this movie's callousness toward human life is nihilistic and nasty. But Woo takes everything so absurdly far that audiences laugh at what horrified them moments before. [27Jun1997 Pg01.D]

Time - Richard Schickel

This isn't just a thrill ride; it's a rocket into the thrilling past, when directors could scare you with how much emotion they packed into a movie. Read full review

Film Threat - Ron Wells

OK, the premise may be a little hard to take, but there's plenty of good writing here, anyway. Read full review

L.A. Weekly - Ella Taylor

Yet the movie, distilling into purest form the blend of viciousness and sentimentality that informs all Woo's work, winds up as emotionally bogus as it is viscerally overwhelming. Read full review

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User Reviews

mikeonkok

Nov 14, 2013

My favorite movie....................................................................................................................
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ace cuts no doubt.

it really is 2good

great film

like i said my favorite of all time no joke no doubts true stuff… Expand

93 of 95 users found this helpful932

Zanessa250QI

Jul 24, 2015

....................................................................................................................................95,96 and 97's are the peak of carrer of cage.............. Face/Off is an awesome thriller of action and in the same year Cage did the spectacular Con Air both....................................................................................................................................95,96 and 97's are the peak of carrer of cage.............. Face/Off is an awesome thriller of action and in the same year Cage did the spectacular Con Air both of 97's Exactly one year after the Masterpiece "The Rock 1996"… Expand

11 of 11 users found this helpful110

masudaly103

Oct 9, 2014

This is hands down one of the best action movies ever made in America. The actors get into their respective roles and play them like a charm. Tremendous action sequences. Tremendous screenplay. Tremendous writing. If the sight of a bald man kissing his sister doesn't bother you, or even ifThis is hands down one of the best action movies ever made in America. The actors get into their respective roles and play them like a charm. Tremendous action sequences. Tremendous screenplay. Tremendous writing. If the sight of a bald man kissing his sister doesn't bother you, or even if it does, I'd say you better watch this film as this is a must watch!… Expand

44 of 45 users found this helpful441

[Anonymous]

Sep 25, 2005

Damn near perfect action movie. In the days of Matrix bullettime, this one holds its own ground. When the action isn't rolling, there's something else filling the screen, particularly the way Troy and Archer fill the gaps in each other's lives. Cage and travolta are perfect Damn near perfect action movie. In the days of Matrix bullettime, this one holds its own ground. When the action isn't rolling, there's something else filling the screen, particularly the way Troy and Archer fill the gaps in each other's lives. Cage and travolta are perfect in each other's roles, or themselves, or...just watch it! Nearly puts Mi2 to shame.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

timone

Nov 9, 2018

For the fact that I'm getting really giddy about laughing at somebody's reactions I decided that I'm really am giddy about laughing my @$$ off reviewing this Looney Tuney action flick Face/Off. That's right. It's about as over-the-top as it gets and many people in the world don't careFor the fact that I'm getting really giddy about laughing at somebody's reactions I decided that I'm really am giddy about laughing my @$$ off reviewing this Looney Tuney action flick Face/Off. That's right. It's about as over-the-top as it gets and many people in the world don't care because they enjoyed it and loved it for it's perfect cheesy action and intense violence. To me, I love everything about it and John Travolta and Nicolas Cage done really well in this. The premise I know what y'all thinking. It's ridiculous but who f£$king cares? They literally playing each other by putting their faces on each other after Sean Archer captures Castor Troy. John Travolta and Nicolas Cage played hilarious in their roles and I come to the point of laughing my f£$king @$$ at Castor Troy played by Nicolas Cage and yes, John Travolta. It's like I've been teasing my stepdad about Piggy Bear which Crunch Bandicoot says and saying what Sam the Eagle from The Muppets saying "The mussal's of this messal has refuse to touch my feet. Would you please rub my tudsies? Thank you." just to tease my friends. The hospital scene where Sean's and Castor's faces get switched over doesn't bother me at all cause I got over it much like the broken bones and when people don't know that Sean and Castor had switched identities they'll be confused. That's how over-the-top this movie really is. The best thing about this movie is the speedboat chase at the end and when people are on the edge of their seats through the scene they are gripped for how amazing this scene really is. Now that is just awesome despite the stuntmen showing. Face/Off is a fantastically made action film for it's beautiful shots with intense violence and intense action and hilarious moments with John Travolta and Nicolas Cage. Now I know that you think it's a science fiction action flick but I don't see why it's sci-fi. Well, it just isn't science fiction until I've seen these two changing their faces. This is the kind of film that you don't have to think, you just enjoy. It's a film that will make you thrilled and laugh and don't care how ridiculous the story is and just enjoy it for it's entirety. Give it a watch and see if you wanna take it's face... off.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Meth-dude

May 13, 2017

It's 90's action at it's best. It was silly, unbelievable, it had some plot holes and the acting was over the top, it was cheesy and predictable and it had unnecessary explosions, but it was very entertaining. Any action movie fan should watch this movie.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

MattC.

Oct 6, 2005

How many poor souls this movie has hoodwinked! Epic hams Cage and Travolta maul the scenery; they do not act as much as make spectacles of themselves. The plot is riveted with as many bulletholes as there are at the end of a cliched Woo action scene. Once second Cage is on an oil rig in the How many poor souls this movie has hoodwinked! Epic hams Cage and Travolta maul the scenery; they do not act as much as make spectacles of themselves. The plot is riveted with as many bulletholes as there are at the end of a cliched Woo action scene. Once second Cage is on an oil rig in the ocean-- the next he is on dry land. Enough with the doves, Woo; it's tired.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful

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