As Face/Off begins, we are introduced to two men who are arch enemies. FBI agent Sean Archer’s (John Travolta) young son was murdered by a terrorist-for-hire named Castor Troy (Nicolas Cage). Six years later, Archer has devoted his life to catching Troy who has continued to elude him. This has cost Sean a close relationship with his wife (Joan Allen) and his teenaged daughter, Jamie (Dominique Swain).
Carefree and erratic, Troy shows affection to only his partner and younger brother Pollux (Alessandro Nivola). Having infiltrated a Los Angeles building (as a priest, no less), Troy has rigged the unknown location with a bomb containing a biological payload. From there, the duo head to the airport to escape by private jet. Archer and his team learn of Troy’s departure and intercept him on the runway. A violent gunfight results in plenty of death, destruction, Castor’s apparent demise and Pollux in custody.
With Pollux in custody, Archer works to find the biological weapon planted somewhere in Los Angeles. Pollux won’t give up the goods, so authorities offer up an unorthodox solution. It turns out Castor isn’t dead at all; he remains comatose but alive. Dr. Malcolm Walsh (Colm Feore) says he can swap faces between Castor and Archer and allow the latter to perfectly impersonate the former.
Though reluctant, Archer agrees to the plan, going as far as to not tell his wife and daughter. Following the procedure, Archer (now with Troy’s face) is taken to the prison where Pollux is being housed. He is to gain Pollux’s trust and learn where the bomb is. That plan goes awry when Troy awakens from his coma, learns of Archer’s plan and sets about to sabotage it. Archer must now convince everyone around him who he really is, while stopping Troy’s new plan.
As absurd as the concept of face switching may sound, the film makes it seem almost plausible. After a few minutes, the concept works, and the ridiculousness of the concept disappears. This works because John Woo pulls off such excellent action sequences. He also allows for enough character development to create a sense of realism.
Kudos to John Travolta and Nicholas Cage who both pull off dual roles. Supporting actors add depth to the piece. The always reliable Joan Allen provides an accurate view of a neglected wife. Alessandro Nivola turns a secondary role into something truly memorable.
Making its 4K debut courtesy of Kino, Face/Off is a good-looking film. Reportedly sourced from a new 4K scan of the original 35mm negative, details are terrific throughout. Even the smallest facial details impress. Textures are sharper. A nice level of film grain is apparent throughout. The Dolby Vision HDR offers some subtle improvements to colors, black levels and whites. There are no apparent print flaws or anomalies.
The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 offers a full experience throughout. Action sequences are boisterous. Dialogue is clean, clear and concise. While a Dolby Atmos track would have been nice, what’s here makes good use of its capabilities.
English SDH subtitles are included.
The following extras are available:
4K UHD Disc:
- Audio Commentary by Director John Woo and Writers Mike Werb and Michael Colleary
- NEW!! Audio Commentary by Action Film Historians Mike Leeder and Arne Venema
- Audio Commentary by Writers Mike Werb and Michael Colleary
Blu-ray Disc:
- Audio Commentary by Director John Woo and Writers Mike Werb and Michael Colleary
- NEW!! Audio Commentary by Action Film Historians Mike Leeder and Arne Venema
- Audio Commentary by Writers Mike Werb and Michael Colleary
- 7 Deleted Scenes – with Optional Audio Commentary by Director John Woo and Writers Mike Werb and Michael Colleary
- Play All (8:26)
- Castor Kills the Janitor (0:36)
- Archer Weeps (1:09)
- Childhood Lessons (1:05)
- Hideaway Shootout (2:03)
- Archer vs. Caster Finale (2:12)
- Will Dad be Dad Again (0:11)
- Alternate Ending (1:08)
- The Light and the Dark: The Making of Face/Off Documentary (64:20)
- John Woo: A Life in Pictures – Featurette (26:03)
- Theatrical Trailer (2:08)
