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 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 593 Ratings

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8.8

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8.8	Your Score
8.8	User Score Universal acclaim based on 593 Ratings

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Face/Off

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Movie Details & Credits

Paramount Pictures | Release Date: June 27, 1997 | R

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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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

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

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

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

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]

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

Ron Wells

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

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

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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

114 of 116 users found this helpful1142

NancyB.

May 6, 2006

I'm a middle aged woman and this is my favorite movie of all time. The acting by Travolta and Cage is brilliant, as they assume each other's mannerisms and intonation. John Woo's directing is lively, yet thoughtful and poetic. I have been left with several enduring images, I'm a middle aged woman and this is my favorite movie of all time. The acting by Travolta and Cage is brilliant, as they assume each other's mannerisms and intonation. John Woo's directing is lively, yet thoughtful and poetic. I have been left with several enduring images, such as Cage alighting from the car with his overcoat blowing in the breeze as he saunters to the beat of the music. That single image makes it clear that he is a bad guy who feels on top of his universe. The action scene of shooting at the penthouse is bloody and violent, yet artful. I think this is Travolta's best work ever. Joan Allen as his wife was a great casting choice. His daughter's transformation throughout the film was fun to watch. I think the reason I loved this film is that it is an interesting story, well-acted, superbly directed and it shows the emotional side of the characters as well.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful

Paratroop62

May 13, 2015

Face/Off is a modern masterpiece in a nutshell for those who have seen it and those who haven't.
Cage and Travolta are brilliant, the action choreography is astonishing and the plot is ingeniously
sublime. Face/Off is an action fans dream come true and personally I think it is the bestFace/Off is a modern masterpiece in a nutshell for those who have seen it and those who haven't.
Cage and Travolta are brilliant, the action choreography is astonishing and the plot is ingeniously
sublime. Face/Off is an action fans dream come true and personally I think it is the best action thriller John
Woo has made in his career.… Expand

43 of 46 users found this helpful433

[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

jonslow

Jan 8, 2019

คลาสสิค คลาสสิค คลาสสิค คลาสสิค คลาสสิค คลาสสิค คลาสสิค คลาสสิค คลาสสิค คลาสสิค

4 of 5 users found this helpful41

MovieGuys

Sep 28, 2013

A pretty good action movie, and Woo is good at them. The plot is a little unrealistic, and I think the popular saying "YOU DON'T SAY" is a very relevant answer to that question, as Nick Cage is in this movie! I liked it for the most part, and it's worth a watch in the long run.

2 of 59 users found this helpful257

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

SEE ALL 32 REVIEWS

7	#7 Best Movie of 1997
15	#15 Most Discussed Movie of 1997
8	#8 Most Shared Movie of 1997