82
Metascore
26 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 100Rolling StonePeter TraversRolling StonePeter TraversExciting and then some, Face/Off blends the director's supercharged images of balletic brutality and spiritual catharsis with an off-the-wall humor that allows John Travolta and Nicolas Cage to really let it rip.
- 90Chicago ReaderJonathan RosenbaumChicago ReaderJonathan RosenbaumWoo's third Hollywood movie, Face/Off, is the first to balance his visual imagination with the emotional intensity of his Hong Kong films.
- 90The New York TimesJanet MaslinThe New York TimesJanet MaslinBefore we go numb from such prefab excitement, here comes a mega-movie that actually delivers what mega-movies promise: strong characters, smart plotting, breathless action and a gimmick that hasn't been seen before.
- 90Washington PostDesson ThomsonWashington PostDesson ThomsonA delirious mixture of spectacular gun battles, furious explosions and breathtaking stunt work, it's also one of the strangest stories to ever get the green light at a Hollywood studio. You have to take your hat off to Paramount Studios for allowing such inspired weirdness to see the light of day.
- 90Washington PostStephen HunterWashington PostStephen HunterAs an example of the art of casting, the movie is brilliantly engineered. It allows two major stars to each play the showy villain for a time, and also for each to do an imitation of the other.
- 89Austin ChronicleMarc SavlovAustin ChronicleMarc SavlovFace/Off works like a charm right on down the line thanks to brilliant, exhilarating performances from Cage and Travolta, and the many tremendously enjoyable action set-pieces that are Woo's hallmark.
- 80SalonStephanie ZacharekSalonStephanie ZacharekFlorid, passionate, frequently hilarious and loaded with messy emotions that nobody in his or her right mind should even attempt to explain, it's operatic in its nutball intensity.
- 75Chicago Sun-TimesRoger EbertChicago Sun-TimesRoger EbertThe high-tech stuff is flawlessly done, but the intriguing elements of the movie involve the performances.
- 75ReelViewsJames BerardinelliReelViewsJames BerardinelliWoo, who is known and appreciated for his unique stylistic approach to violence and bloodshed, creates a kinetic ballet of bullets and explosions that drives the adrenaline level through the roof.
- 70Film ThreatRon WellsFilm ThreatRon WellsOK, the premise may be a little hard to take, but there's plenty of good writing here, anyway.