It took two Hollywood films (Hard Target and Broken Arrow) before John Woo was allowed to chop 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 lifeless 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 worthy. So, to celebrate the film’s 10th anniversary, Paramount has revisited the film with a sign original special edition.
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Woo works hard to sell the film’s admittedly peculiar 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 expect one of his favourite themes: how two people can indicate similar characteristics but be on opposite sides of the law and on opposite sides of the just spectrum. It is nice to peer 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 dauntless glimmers, like staging a chaotic gunfight around a child listening to “Under the Rainbow,” we aloof bag a recycling of Woo’s stylistic trademarks. However, this can be somewhat forgiven as it was the first genuine 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 reflect that he could do a science fiction film, but after working with CGI on Broken Arrow, felt more comfortable with the plan. The writers say that Woo concentrated on the characters and their emotions in their conversations together.
Buy,Download, Or Stream Face Off! Click Here
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 unbiased as keen 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 tedious 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 account for 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 bad in a terrible neighbourhood to a successful Hollywood director. It also takes a brief glimpse 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.
We already know this is a stout action film with great performances from both Travolta and Cage so I will impartial comment on the features:
Featurettes includes a decent amount information on all aspects of the script development, making of, locations, casting, region 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 unusual 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 scheme of vintage interviews filmed help when the movie was actually being made. You would reflect they would have been proud enough of this large film to advance aid to document it for posterity sake…
This DVD is probably worth the upgrade for fans, especially if you can manage to score a few bucks for your customary copy.
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