Face/Off 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

Kino Lorber's 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Face/Off" represents a significant upgrade in visual presentation, leveraging the benefits of a new 4K remaster from the original camera negative. This native 4K offering excels with a meticulously encoded HEVC (H.265) 3840x2160/24p BT.2020 image, paired with industry-leading HDR implementation and Dolby Vision enhancement. The result is a visually captivating experience that rejuvenates John Woo's 1997 classic. The disc maintains the film's original 2.35:1 aspect ratio, presenting an image with striking clarity and an authentic filmic quality that showcases intricate textures and fine detail. Despite its age, this transfer appears fresh, with vibrant colors, healthy skin tones, and impressive shadow delineation.

The visual fidelity is further exemplified by the dynamic range brought forward by Dolby Vision, which intensifies the film’s dynamic action sequences. Explosions and slow-motion pyrotechnics are elevated, displaying exceptional vibrancy and contrast. The black levels appear deep and robust, ensuring detailed shadow regions that hold up remarkably across various scenes. While there are isolated instances of a slightly hazy or off-color presentation, these are minimal and do not detract significantly from the overall quality. The transition from prior versions, marred by DNR manipulation, to this pristine presentation is particularly noteworthy.

The thoughtful grading in Dolby Vision enhances Woo’s explosive style, with high peak brightness during action scenes contributing to a visually immersive experience. Precise definition in facial close-ups and clothing textures are apparent, adding layers to character interactions. Despite some darker areas potentially struggling with nuance discrimination in Dolby Vision when compared to 1080p viewing, the overall superiority of the 4K presentation is undeniable, firmly establishing it as the definitive home viewing experience for "Face/Off."

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Face/Off" impressively delivers with its DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, demonstrating a compelling auditory experience albeit lacking the more modern Dolby Atmos. Despite this, the DTS-HD MA 5.1 track boldly stands out, delivering an immersive audio presentation that enhances the film's high-octane moments. Dialogues are sharp and clear, maintaining prominence without overshadowing the intense action sequences. The track's low-end is substantial, ensuring impactful scenes carry weight and gravity, reminiscent of contemporary action soundscapes. This mix excels in breadth and depth, utilizing the surround channels effectively without unnecessary distraction.

The 5.1 audio track is both dynamic and versatile, enveloping viewers in its rich soundscape. The precision in mixing allows every explosion and subtle sound to resonate profoundly, akin to experiencing a modern blockbuster action film. Gunshots and nuanced sounds are proficiently dispersed across the soundstage, crafting a vivid listening environment that elevates the viewing experience. The mix remains free of any balance issues or encoding anomalies, emphasizing its superior quality. Furthering its appeal, even less intense scenes, like surgery equipment beeping, benefit from the meticulous sound distribution, proving the track’s ability to surprise and impress continuously.

Overall, this Blu-ray audio offering delivers a fulfilling auditory journey through "Face/Off" with both DTS options suitably powerful and detailed. The 5.1 track will notably please audiophiles looking for a robust and dynamic presentation as it superbly navigates between dialogue clarity and action-heavy sequences with impressive fidelity and precision.

This 4K UHD Blu-ray edition of "Face/Off" delivers an impressive range of extras, enhancing the viewing experience for enthusiasts of the film. The collection features three audio commentaries: a new engaging track by critics Mike Leeder and Arne Venema providing insights into the film's historical context and stylistic choices, and two archival recordings discussing Face/Off's development, one with director John Woo and writers Mike Werb and Michael Colleary, offering intricate details of their collaboration. Additionally, viewers can explore seven deleted and alternate scenes, complete with optional commentary. The extensive five-part documentary "The Light and the Dark" delves into the production's unique aspects, making it a must-watch. For fans of John Woo, "John Woo: A Life in Pictures" offers in-depth exploration of his impactful legacy. Completing the set is the original U.S. trailer.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary One: Critics Mike Leeder and Arne Venema.
• Commentary Two: Director John Woo and writers.
• Commentary Three: Writers Mike Werb and Michael Colleary.
• 7 Deleted and Alternate Scenes: With optional commentary.
• The Light and the Dark: The Making of Face/Off: Five segments exploring film genesis.
• John Woo: A Life in Pictures: Examination of his cinematic legacy.
• Trailer: Original U.S. trailer.

John Woo's "Face/Off" continues to stand as a monument to his audacious directorial style, blending high-octane action with a story that balances on the fulcrum of implausibility. Woo’s orchestration of meticulously choreographed shootouts and adrenaline-fueled set pieces underpin this theatrical narrative, which boldly requires formidable performances from both John Travolta and Nicolas Cage. The film’s premise, involving a highly improbable face-swapping surgery, provides a stage for the actors to indulge in dramatic lavishness, with Cage embracing the absurdity with his signature eccentricities and Travolta delivering a nuanced portrayal of duality, emphasizing Woo’s knack for bombastic storytelling.

Despite the action-centric approach, Face/Off is embroiled in melodrama that lends odd emotional weight to an already eccentric plot. The film’s attempt to delve into themes of grief and loss while maintaining its erratic energy often results in tonal discord, juxtaposing visceral action scenes with contrived sentimental interludes. This dichotomy compromises its overall narrative authenticity but paradoxically enhances the outlandish spectacle, leaving audiences entertained by its sheer bravado. Woo channels his Hong Kong film ethos amid Hollywood constraints, culminating in a ludicrously entertaining visual feast that still embraces the director's signature props, such as balletic slow-motion gunplay and sudden, unnecessary acrobatics.

The cinematic allure of Face/Off lies significantly in Cage and Travolta’s dynamic chemistry as they grapple with their characters’ bizarre existential crises while orchestrating chaotic skirmishes. The unabashedly over-the-top nature of Woo's action scenes—the frenetic boat chase finale and ludicrously explosive exchanges—are tempered by moments where melodrama intrudes, albeit unconvincingly. Ultimately, Woo manages to coalesce these contrasting elements into a coherent whole that entertains precisely because of its excessive contradictions, maintaining credibility in its implausibility and presenting a uniquely compelling Hollywood vision of his inimitable style.

"Face/Off," a 1997 action thriller directed by John Woo, has cemented its status as a cult classic over the years, frequently cited alongside Nicolas Cage's iconic roles in "The Rock" and "Con Air." Despite its outlandishly improbable premise, the film revels in its over-the-top execution, delivering explosive performances from Cage and John Travolta, who masterfully switch identities. This modern re-release on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray by Kino Lorber impressively revitalizes the visual fidelity of the film. The native 4K transfer, enhanced by Dolby Vision HDR, significantly upgrades the cinematography, providing a vibrant and crisp viewing experience that surpasses previous incarnations.

This new release is not without minor technical flaws, yet it stands as a substantial improvement over earlier versions. The inclusion of a new commentary track is a noteworthy addition for fans and cinephiles, offering deeper insights and context to one of Woo’s most celebrated Hollywood endeavours. While Woo's influence in the realm of action cinema is undeniable, "Face/Off" showcases a unique blend of his bold Hong Kong action style tempered by Hollywood’s constraints, thus delivering a concoction that few other directors could achieve at the time.

Despite mixed narratives regarding its enduring appeal, "Face/Off" remains a testament to 90s action filmmaking at its zenith. Both nostalgically appealing and visually invigorating due to this 4K revival, it is a must-have addition for collectors and action movie aficionados alike. Given the uncertain prospects of a UK release, importing this edition might be the best way to experience Woo's pyrotechnic-heavy masterpiece anew. Ultimately, this release reaffirms "Face/Off" not just as a product of its era but as an exhilarating action epic that continues to captivate audiences.