Face Off on Blu Ray
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...
Special Features include NO new interviews with Cage or Travolta.....
We already know this is a great action film with superb performances from both Travolta and Cage so I will just comment on the features:
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...
A masterpiece
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.
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