Released in 1997, Face Off is the kind of movie that could only have come out of the nineties. It takes an outrageous science fiction premise, mixes it with huge action scenes, and hands it over to two actors who completely commit to every second of it. The result is one of the most entertaining action thrillers of the decade.
The film was directed by John Woo, who had already built a legendary reputation with Hong Kong action films before coming to Hollywood. Face Off may be the perfect example of Woo’s style. Slow motion action, flying doves, dual pistols, dramatic music, and characters diving through the air. It is all here, and it somehow works perfectly.
John Travolta stars as FBI agent Sean Archer, a man obsessed with catching terrorist Castor Troy after Troy murdered his young son years earlier. Nicolas Cage plays Castor Troy, a dangerous criminal who is equal parts violent and unpredictable. Right away, both actors are going big, but that is exactly what this movie needs.
The plot kicks into another gear when Castor is captured, but not before planting a bomb somewhere in Los Angeles. In order to find the bomb, Archer undergoes an experimental procedure that allows him to swap faces with Castor and go undercover in prison to get information from Castor’s brother.
Of course, because this is Face Off, everything immediately goes wrong. Castor wakes up, forces the doctors to give him Archer’s face, and suddenly the two men are living each other’s lives. From there, the movie becomes a crazy game of identity, revenge, and chaos.
What makes the film so much fun is watching Travolta and Cage play each other. Nicolas Cage gets to play the calm, serious FBI agent trapped in the body of a maniac, while Travolta gets to unleash his inner villain. Both performances are fantastic because each actor clearly understands exactly what kind of movie they are in.
Travolta especially looks like he is having the time of his life once he starts playing Castor Troy pretending to be Sean Archer. He becomes more intense, more theatrical, and completely unhinged. Cage, meanwhile, tones things down just enough to sell the emotional side of the story.
The supporting cast is also very strong. Joan Allen plays Archer’s wife Eve and brings real emotion to the film. Gina Gershon is memorable as Castor’s girlfriend Sasha. Alessandro Nivola plays Pollux Troy, Castor’s creepy brother, and helps keep the story moving.
John Woo directs every action scene with incredible style. Whether it is a prison riot, a speedboat chase, or a massive gun battle in a church, every scene feels larger than life. The action is over the top, but that is part of the charm. Face Off never tries to be realistic. It wants to entertain, and it succeeds.
At the center of all the explosions and insanity, the movie still manages to give both characters an emotional reason to keep fighting. Sean Archer wants justice for his son. Castor Troy wants to destroy the man who ruined his life. That emotional core keeps the film from becoming just mindless action.
Face Off also deserves credit for embracing how ridiculous its premise is. A lesser movie might have tried too hard to explain everything. This one simply says, “Here is the setup. Now sit back and enjoy the ride.”
The film has become a cult classic because there is truly nothing else like it. Few movies are willing to be this strange, this stylish, and this entertaining all at the same time.
Face Off is not subtle, and it is definitely not realistic. But it is exciting, memorable, and endlessly fun. Sometimes that is exactly what you want from an action movie.
In the end, Face Off remains one of the best action thrillers of the nineties because it commits fully to its crazy idea and never looks back. It is loud, dramatic, completely over the top, and absolutely awesome.