RottenTomatoes.com
Log In | Register | What is RT?
Check out the new RT Community
  • Home
  • Movies
  • DVD
  • Celebrities
  • News
  • Critics
  • Trailers & Pictures
  • CommunityBeta
  • Box Office
  • | In Theaters
  • | Opening
  • | Upcoming
  • | Best Of
  • | Certified Fresh
RT Search Powered by Google
help icon Enhanced RT
searches on Google
Click here to turn on enhanced search results from RT on your Google searches.
 
Movies / Upcoming / Face Off
Face Off

Rate this Movie Help Icon

  • Write a Review
  • Read Reviews
  • Add to List
  • Buy Poster External Icon
Bookmark and Share

Face Off (1997)

  • T-Meter Critics
  • Top Critics
  • RT Community
  • My Critics
  • My Friends
93 %
Tomatometer
Template ImageTemplate Image

How does the Tomatometer work Help Icon

Reviews Counted:59

Fresh:55

Rotten:4

Average Rating:7.9/10

Consensus: John Travolta and Nicolas Cage play cat-and-mouse (and literally play each other) against a beautifully stylized backdrop of typically elegant, over-the-top John Woo violence.

Runtime: 2 hrs 20 mins

Genre: Action/Adventure

US Box Office: $0

Synopsis: The ordeal of superheroic, singularly dedicated FBI agent Sean Archer (John Travolta) is only beginning after finally capturing his archnemesis, Castor Troy (Nicholas Cage), an elusive, maniacal... The ordeal of superheroic, singularly dedicated FBI agent Sean Archer (John Travolta) is only beginning after finally capturing his archnemesis, Castor Troy (Nicholas Cage), an elusive, maniacal terrorist who claimed the life of Archer's son. While Troy languishes in a coma, Archer surgically "borrows" Troy's face in an attempt to gather evidence about Troy's last bomb--which is currently ticking away in a Los Angeles office building. Trouble ensues when Troy wakes up faceless, borrows Archer's visage, and makes a mess of Archer's life; all the while, both men struggle to adapt to their new identities while struggling to blow each other away. Another balletically filmed, thematically complex action-smorgasbord from Hong Kong-vet John Woo. Academy Award Nomination: Best Sound Effects Editing. [More]

Starring: John Travolta, Nicolas Cage, Joan Allen, Alessandro Nivola

Starring: John Travolta, Nicolas Cage, Joan Allen, Alessandro Nivola, Gina Gershon, Dominique Swain, Nick Cassavetes, Harve Presnell, Colm Feore, John Carroll Lynch, CCH Pounder, Robert Wisdom, Margaret Cho, Jamie Denton, Matt Ross, Tommy Flanagan Trio, Dana Smith, Romy Walthall, Paul Hipp, Kirk Baltz, Chris Bauer, Thomas Jane, Lauren Sinclair, Ben Reed, Del Zamora, Lisa Boyle, Linda Hoffman, Danny Masterson, Michael Rocha, Megan Paul, Mike Webb, Tom Reynolds, Steve Hytner, Myles Jeffrey, Carmen Thomas

Director: John Woo

Director: John Woo
Screenwriter: Mike Werb, Michael Colleary
Producer: David Permut, Barrie M. Osborne, Terence Chang, Christopher Godsick, Jonathan Krane, Michael Douglas, Steven Reuther
Composer: John Powell

[See More Credits]

Reviews for Face Off

  • T-Meter Critics
  • Top Critics
  • RT Community
  • My Critics
  • My Friends
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

The biggest screen thrill of the year.

Full Review Source: Urban Cinefile | comment Comment
01/01/00
Urban Cinefile Critics
Urban Cinefile Critics
Urban Cinefile
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

This brutal, stunningly choreographed spectacle weaves together lyrical beauty, blasphemy, sadistic cruelty and grotesque sentimentality with breathtakingly smooth assurance.

Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment 1 Comment
09/19/08
Maitland McDonagh
Maitland McDonagh
TV Guide's Movie Guide

Sets new standards for a genre which plays it safe and predictable too often.

Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
09/19/08
Channel 4 Film
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Typical for Woo, the sheer force of the imagery is supposed to carry viewers past plot absurdities ... while at the same time, the director wants the audience to buy into the emotional lives of his obsessed and haunted characters.

Full Review Source: Cinefantastique | comment Comment
07/11/08
Steve Biodrowski
Steve Biodrowski
Cinefantastique

This is your action movie on drugs--any questions? [Blu-Ray]

Full Review Source: Groucho Reviews | comment Comment
05/26/08
Peter Canavese
Peter Canavese
Groucho Reviews

The dramatic scenes have emotional gravity, while the exhilarating action sequences defy gravity.

Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
02/03/08
Rob Gonsalves
Rob Gonsalves
eFilmCritic.com

Garbage of the finest vintage.

Full Review Source: Film Freak Central | comment Comment
10/25/07
Walter Chaw
Walter Chaw
Film Freak Central

...director John Woo takes an incredibly silly premise and despite its limitations turns it into an entertaining thrill ride.

Full Review Source: DVDTown.com | comment Comment
10/22/07
John J. Puccio
John J. Puccio
DVDTown.com

possibly the greatest, and definitely the most exuberant, action film to come out of the studio system in the '90s

Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
09/11/07
Chris Barsanti
Chris Barsanti
Filmcritic.com

Woo's poetic-kinetic style has evolved, if not to the point of abstraction, then to delirium: he makes a virtue of incredulity.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
01/26/06
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Stars Cage and Travolta are fine in their roles.

Full Review Source: Reeling Reviews | comment Comment
04/09/05
Robin Clifford
Robin Clifford
Reeling Reviews

...a nihilistic thrill ride; a breathless ultra-violent fantasy with real characters and smart actors

Full Review Source: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette | comment Comment
01/08/05
Philip Martin
Philip Martin
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Woo es probablemente el mejor director de acción que existe.

Full Review Source: Cinenganos | comment Comment
01/12/04
Alex Ramirez
Alex Ramirez
Cinenganos

After seeing this numbing action flick, I'm still stumped what all the hype is about. So many critics and viewers arond the country marveled at this movie, but for what? It's not a horrible movie, but it certainly isn't very good.

Full Review Source: Film Blather | comment 5 Comments
05/22/03
Eugene Novikov
Eugene Novikov
Film Blather

Travolta and Cage are exceptional, performing as their own characters and each other's.

Full Review Source: Palo Alto Weekly | comment Comment
05/14/03
Jeanne Aufmuth
Jeanne Aufmuth
Palo Alto Weekly

I think I finally isolated what irritates me about this movie: It is the fact that it promotes the idea that you can indulge in hatred and vengeance with a positive result.

Full Review Source: Laramie Movie Scope | comment 3 Comments
03/16/03
Robert Roten
Robert Roten
Laramie Movie Scope

What we have here is the first, true American John Woo movie.

Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
12/08/02
Ron Wells
Ron Wells
Film Threat

All in all, Mr. Woo has made Face/Off into an eye-popping magic show.

Full Review Source: Cincinnati Enquirer | comment Comment
10/15/02
Margaret A. McGurk
Margaret A. McGurk
Cincinnati Enquirer

Thank God for John Woo, the best action director in the world.

Full Review Source: Montreal Film Journal | comment Comment
09/10/02
Kevin N. Laforest
Kevin N. Laforest
Montreal Film Journal

The concept of Face/Off is a multifaceted benchmark: it is John Woo’s best American film, a requisite entry in the library of action films, and it is an actor’s dream.

Full Review Source: Not Coming to a Theater Near You | comment Comment
07/02/02
Rumsey Taylor
Rumsey Taylor
Not Coming to a Theater Near You
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 >> >|
all

Latest News for Face Off

August 10, 2006: Box Office Preview: "World Trade Center" Arrives in Theaters
Another frame packed with four new national releases is led by Oliver Stone's 9/11 drama "World Trade Center" from Paramount. A trio of lower profile pics round out... More...

May 18, 2005: John Woo Makes a "Stranglehold" On Video Game Property
The Hollywood Reporter brings news of an upcoming non-movie project for acclaimed director John Woo ("The Killer," "Face/Off"). It was announced at the 2005... More...

May 17, 2005: Screen Gems Gets Rolling With Its "Tekken" Adaptation
Variety brings news of the next video game movie to hit production. The title is "Tekken," and the property was picked up by Screen Gems (from Dimension), with a... More...

May 10, 2005: Clive Barker & John Woo Make a "Demonik" Pair
The Hollywood Reporter brings news of an odd-yet-interesting filmmaking duo: Clive Barker ("Hellraiser") and John Woo ("Face/Off") will join forces to... More...

See All

More Movies

Coming Soon in Australia
Tomatometer Percentage Movie Date

85% 85% Cloudy With a Chance o… 26/11
48% 48% Antichrist 26/11
56% 56% The Invention of Lying 26/11
75% 75% Cold Souls 26/11

What’s Hot On RT

Coen Brothers

Coen Brothers

We count down their 10 best-reviewed films

Avatar

Avatar

Watch an exclusive behind-the-scenes video

RT's Twilight corner

RT's Twilight corner

Everything you need on New Moon is here

Doomed Romance

Doomed Romance

Our top 10 star-crossed movie lovers

Other News

  • Top Stories
  • Popular
  • Interviews
 
 

Comments

 
 
Top Stories
Headlines Comments
  
  • Weekly Ketchup: Idris Elba cast in Thor, more Spider-Man 4 rumors
20
  • Idris Elba Joins Thor Source: Hollywood Reporter
110
  • Jackass 3D Coming in 2010? Source: Collider.com
32
  • 6 Reasons 'Twilight' Is Doomed Source: The Wrap
60
  • Forbes Names Hollywood's Most Overpaid Actors Source: Forbes
20
  • Chris Weitz Says He's (Almost) Done with Directing Source: Film School Rejects
24
  • Spider-Man 4 Casting Rumors Multiply Like Rabbits Source: Deadline Hollywood Daily
51
  • McTeigue Says Superman Is "In a Weird Place" Source: MTV
204
  • Rachel McAdams Debunks Spider-Man 4 Rumor Source: Entertainment Weekly
117
  • Avatar: Gambling on Film's Future Source: Los Angeles Times
128
Popular
Headlines Comments
  
  • Critics Consensus: New Moon Wanes
103
  • Tomatometer Watch: Will Twilight's New Moon Dazzle?
96
  • Box Office Guru Wrapup: 2012 Destroys the Competition
85
  • Total Recall: Star-Crossed Lovers
58
  • Five Favorite Films with Werner Herzog
49
  • Friday Harvest: New Moon, Avatar, and more!
23
  • Fight Club Sound Designer Reflects on Film's 10th Anniversary
19
  • Weekly Ketchup: Idris Elba cast in Thor, more Spider-Man 4 rumors
10
  • Eric Bana talks Love the Beast - RT Interview
7
  • Win Classic Action Packs on Blu-ray
4
Interviews
Headlines Comments
  
  • Eric Bana talks Love the Beast - RT Interview
7
  • Fight Club Sound Designer Reflects on Film's 10th Anniversary
19
  • James Schamus talks Taking Woodstock - RT Interview
6
  • RT on DVD: Wassup, Bruno
3
  • Scott Hicks Talks The Boys Are Back
0
  • John Hurt Talks Harry Potter, Quentin Crisp and Alien - The RT Interview
15
  • Richard Kelly chats about The Box
2
  • Terry Gilliam Talks Doctor Parnassus
16
  • Wes Anderson Talks Fantastic Mr. Fox - RT Interview
8
  • Wolverine Creator Len Wein Talks About the Film
28
 
 

Sponsored Links

Around The Network

  • Face Off at Rotten Tomatoes
  • Face Off at IGN

Fresh Links

Featured
Why Don't Australians Make Sci-fi?
Why Don't Australians Make Sci-fi? External Link

The New Matilda's Lynden Barber looks at the recent success of low-budget sci-fi -- and asks the question.

New Moon Portraits
New Moon Portraits External Link

TIME offers us a closer look at the characters from the latest Twilight film.

Follow Rotten Tomatoes on Twitter
Follow Rotten Tomatoes on Twitter External Link

Get all the latest movie updates, reviews, interviews and features here.

Competitions
Win Star Wars prizes
Win Star Wars prizes External Link

Enough Prequel, Original Trilogy and Family Guy DVDs to fill a space cruiser

Win the entire 007 collection
Win the entire 007 collection External Link

Everything from Dr. No to Quantum of Solace could be yours.

Win Fight Club Special Editions and more
Win Fight Club Special Editions and more External Link

We're giving away the 10th Anniversary Blu-ray, plus Braveheart and the Rocky collection

 
 
About| Site Map| Help| RT To Go| Contact Us| Critics Submission| Linking to RT| Licensing| Movie List| Celebs List| Newsletter
IGN Logo

IGN.com | GameSpy | Comrade | Arena | FilePlanet | GameSpy Technology
TeamXbox | Planets | Vaults | VE3D | CheatsCodesGuides | GameStats | GamerMetrics
AskMen.com | Rotten Tomatoes | Direct2Drive | Green Pixels


By continuing past this page, and by the continued use of this site, you agree to be bound by and abide by the User Agreement.
Copyright 1998-2009, IGN Entertainment, Inc. About IGN | Support | Advertise | Privacy Policy | User Agreement | Subscribe to RT's XML feed! IGN RSS Feeds
IGN's enterprise databases running Oracle, SQL and MySQL are professionally monitored and managed by Pythian Remote DBA
Certain product data ©1995-present Muze, Inc. For personal use only. All rights reserved.