Travolta vs Cage.

Rating: 9/10 (16 July 2015)

Face Off (1997): Dir: John Woo / Cast: John Travolta, Nicolas Cage, Joan Allen, Gina Gershon, Nick Cassavetes: Clever and exhilarating action film advertising two individuals whose faces are removed but the title really references a battle of wills. It stars John Travolta as agent Sean Archer and Nicolas Cage as terrorist Castor Troy. Archer's son is killed when Troy makes an attempt on his life. When he captures Troy unconscious it is learned that a bomb exits in the city and that Troy's brother knows the location. Archer will don Troy's face through a surgical procedure to gain information but Troy gains consciousness and dons Archer's face thus retaliates in the same manner. Action is exhilarating and extremely violent but John Woo is skilled and create better ideas than he had with Broken Arrow. Travolta and Cage are brilliant. Archer is placed within a circumstance where he may have to damage his own body to bring justice. Troy is a great villain whom takes credit for Archer's work and takes advantage of his family. Joan Allen as Archer's wife will have to face harsh realities yet reap the benefits in the end. Gina Gershon as Troy's girlfriend is honorable yet needs Archer to hold a promise. Nick Cassavetes holds a key role as a criminal in the joint. Theme of physical identity is strong particularly when Archer may have to sacrifice his own. Score: 9 / 10