It’s like staring at your reflection, but not quite. There's often a dismissal of action movies. A lot of movie fans exist in a space where praising an action film as "classic" feels like a betrayal of the term itself. Still, some of the artistry found within the genre's best examples is truly remarkable, no matter how strange or improbable the story may be. John Woo’s incredibly intense and energetic action film, *Face/Off*, deserves its place alongside films like *Die Hard* and *Predator* as prime examples of what can be achieved when everything clicks into place. It's as much fun as you could ask for in a movie that runs over two hours, delivering explosive, fantastical, and unrestrained cinema. The story follows John Travolta’s dedicated family man cop, Sean Archer, who is focused on bringing down the unstable and dangerous Castor Troy (Nicolas Cage). The two have a complicated history, and when Archer finally captures both Troy and his equally unpleasant brother, Pollux (Alessandro Nivola), it seems like resolution for Archer and his family. However, it’s discovered that the Troys left a bomb ticking somewhere in Los Angeles, which would destroy the city and kill almost everyone if it detonates. So, Archer undergoes an experimental face-swapping procedure with the now comatose Castor and tries to get information from the imprisoned Pollux. But then, Castor wakes up and reverses the situation by taking on Archer’s identity, setting in motion a series of events where each man lives out the other's life until their final confrontation determines their fates. Is it far-fetched? Absolutely. Does it matter? Not really, because you’re expecting something ridiculous when you go to see a film like this. Both Cage and Travolta are excellent at portraying the over-the-top nature of the script, and they're captivating in the dual roles. It's clear that Woo and his team have created a standard for action movies. Some people say that Woo essentially makes the same movie every time, and that’s a fair criticism; all of his signature action sequences and trademarks are present in *Face/Off*. However, Woo has also explored his characters, given them some depth beyond just their actions, and then amplified the action set pieces to surround them in chaotic beauty. From the opening jet escape/chase to the wild speedboat finale, the film is one long, exhilarating rush. Joan Allen, Gina Gershon, Dominique Swain & Nick Cassavetes all play supporting characters who are appropriately secondary to the main protagonists, while numerous extras appear and disappear as they’re eliminated in a flurry of Woo-inspired violence. The movie never drags, and your eyes and ears are treated to a vibrancy that is often missing from other big budget action films. This is a masterpiece of action cinema; just as an Orson Welles crane shot can be impressive, so too is the sight of two stunt men flying through the air in a shower of exploding water. Yes sir, this is a classic all right. 10/10

Source on TMDB