Not giving a book report summary of the plot or acting critiques here. Just focusing on the Blu Ray transfer itself. Should you check on any of my reviews, and I hope that you do, that is what you will get, only a discussion of the quality of the transfer.The video transfer onto Blu Ray, as opposed to the standard def version of Face Off, offers an improvement in both resolution and shadow depth....it is not the best video transfer I have ever seen and there are some scenes that appear soft and perhaps muted via the compression, but never the less, the video transfer to Blu Ray is good. There aren't any hints of video banding, aliasing or artifacts. Some snow or grain can be seen if you look for it but it is not very apparent or in any way distracting.
The audio is the star of this transfer, tho the audio on the Standard Def version was also good. You are offered DTS 5.1 or 5.1 EX. I preferred the DTS audio and, tho it is lossy, the disc is still demo worthy as it will definitely give your audio system a huge workout. This is a loud movie and, at one point, I had to turn the volume down a touch. There is excellent use of the discreet channels and panning of effects from front to back and side to side. Your sub woofer is kicking out the jams producing as much bottom end as your system can handle. My system is very high end audiophile gear and it was wonderful to hear it put to good use.
The extras provide deleted scenes, an alternate ending (which I am glad they didn't use) and a lengthy and comprehensive 'Making of'. Commentary tracks are included as well as a very interesting bio of John Woo.
I have long loved this movie. As I said, the standard DVD version was not bad at all. Therefore, the jump to Blu Ray doesn't provide an earth shaking difference but it is still a great BluRay and well worth buying.
All my movie reviews are of this nature and focus only on the quality of the transfer to BluRay so check them and see if they are of help as well.
Hopefully, this review has been of some help to you in determining your purchase, hope I am on the correct path with a review of the transfer quality as opposed to providing plot summaries.
Thanks
Featurettes includes a decent amount information on all aspects of the script development, making of, locations, casting, set designs, special effects, weapons and the 'mimic' acting strategies for Cage/Travlota playing each other. Also includes 7 deleted scenes, a biography-type feature covering the life and career of director John Woo, and the original theatrical trailer.
The greatest disappointment here is that while several cast/crew members appear in newly filmed interviews, both Travolta and Cage participate only by way of vintage interviews filmed back when the movie was actually being made. You would think they would have been proud enough of this great film to come back to document it for posterity sake...
This DVD is probably worth the upgrade for fans, especially if you can manage to get a few bucks for your old copy.
Buy Face/Off (Special Collector's Edition) (1997) Now
It took two Hollywood films (Hard Target and Broken Arrow) before John Woo was allowed to cut loose with his trademark style on Face/Off. The result was his most commercially and critically successful American film at that point in his career. However, for fans of his Hong Kong films, this one seemed like a highlight reel from his earlier work as Woo recycled many of his signature shots Birds flying in slow motion? Check. Guy Leaping in the air while firing two guns simultaneously? Check. Unfortunately, Face/Off marks the apex of his Hollywood career. Woo has done nothing since that's been as good. So, to celebrate the film's 10th anniversary, Paramount has revisited the film with a brand new special edition.Woo works hard to sell the film's admittedly outlandish gimmick by throwing all kinds of scientific mumbo jumbo at us and lingering on shots of spiffy looking technology. The swapping of identities also allows the filmmaker to examine one of his favourite themes: how two people can exhibit similar characteristics but be on opposite sides of the law and on opposite sides of the moral spectrum. It is nice to see Woo finally given a decent-sized budget to play with and two big-time movie stars like Cage and Travolta to work with. Despite a few audacious glimmers, like staging a chaotic gunfight around a child listening to "Under the Rainbow," we still get a recycling of Woo's stylistic trademarks. However, this can be somewhat forgiven as it was the first real exposure for many North Americans to his work on a mainstream level.
The first disc features an audio commentary by director John Woo and screenwriters Mike Werb and Michael Colleary. Woo says that he initially passed on the project because he didn't think that he could do a science fiction film, but after working with CGI on Broken Arrow, felt more comfortable with the idea. The writers say that Woo concentrated on the characters and their emotions in their conversations together.
Also included is an additional commentary with Werb and Colleary that features a lot of repeated comments from the previous track. Werb and Colleary stress that they wanted to write an action film with a villain that was just as interesting as the hero.
There are six deleted scenes and alternate ending with optional commentary by Woo, Werb and Colleary. There's a nice, reflective moment where Archer spends the night in his dead son's room before his surgery and also two action sequences that are extended.
The second disc has a well-made documentary entitled, "The Light and The Dark: Making Face/Off" that can be viewed in five separate featurettes or altogether. Cage and Travolta talk about how they approached their roles, mimicking each other. Cast and crew praise Woo and his signature style and how well he works with actors. The film's elaborate practical, visual effects and stunts are all examined. Finally, Woo sums up the film for him, it's all about family and how Archer achieves closure with his.
"John Woo: A Life in Pictures" is a 30-minute profile of the filmmaker, from his humble childhood, living poor in a bad neighbourhood to a successful Hollywood director. It also takes a brief look at some of his key Hong Kong work but nothing too detailed for hardcore fans. This doc acts mainly as a primer for newcomers to his work.
Finally, a theatrical trailer.
Read Best Reviews of Face/Off (Special Collector's Edition) (1997) Here
Face/Off is a spectacular film. It is a definite classic in terms of modern action films. Face/Off, like many action films, has enough explosive action scenes to leave you on the edge of your seat. However, unlike most action films, Face/Off's brilliance is found in its story,its direction, and its acting, not in its action sequences. With superb acting by two very talented actors, Nicholas Cage and John Travolta, the viewer is caught up in the story rather than the action, it almost deserves the category of "action drama." Although, being a John Woo movie, the action sequences are nothing short of spectacular. Face/Off, a combination of great acting, a great story, and well-choreographed action, is a must see for any action lover.Want Face/Off (Special Collector's Edition) (1997) Discount?
"Face/Off" is a dynamite-packed action powerhouse, with loads of stuff being blown to Kingdom Come, lots of people getting shot at and shot and loads of fun tossed in for good measure.The basic plot takes you along with obsessive FBI agent Sean Archer in his all-consuming chase for arch-enemy and criminal nasty type, Castor Troy, backed up by his genius brother, Pollux. Part of this chase requires Archer to assume Troy's identity via surgery, completely off the record and totally "black bag". Of course, it all goes wrong.
"Face/Off" almost seems choreographed in its fight sequences and shoot outs, which is pretty usual for director John Woo's style. However, the action is fast, furious and volatile. There is also lots of it.
Both John Travolta and Nicholas Cage are brilliant as Sean Archer and Castor Troy, a challenging duality of personalities to act. Both actors did a marvelous job of it.
Under all the violence, there are glimpses of Archer's personal journey as he delves into Castor Troy's world. Archer's dealings with Sasha, (Troy's girlfriend), promote some realisation and increased humanity in him.
I have seen this movie a whole heap of times, and find that the years have not diminished it as a great action movie. It is one that can be seen again and again, with the same sense of relish and entertainment.
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