The Video: Sizing Up the Picture
'Face/Off' arrives on HD DVD with a 1080p/VC-1 transfer that delivers everything fans have wanted and more. Colors are vibrant, black levels are deep, and contrast is perfectly balanced -- the previously-released DVD looks like an aging VHS tape by comparison. There's a convincing illusion of depth and I found myself noting background details for the first time since I saw the film in theaters. I didn't catch any artifacting or crush issues and I was pleased to see that Woo's quick camera never took a toll on the smooth and stable image. Facial textures, on-screen text, and the sparks in the high-rise gun battle are crisply rendered without a hint of pixelation. Best of all, fire and explosions are invigorating, splashing the screen with color and life. By the time I noted the individual feathers on the director's trademark slow-motion doves, I was convinced this transfer was something special.
There are some minor issues worth mentioning. First off, I noticed some noise in darker scenes, as well as a trace amount of edge enhancement in a few shots. The effect isn't entirely obvious, but viewers with larger screens will likely spot it. I also have to gripe for a second about the seams revealed by this high-def transfer, as wires, stunt doubles, and squib packs are more painfully obvious than ever before. Although these hiccups can't be blamed on the video transfer, they're still worth noting for newcomers who aren't familiar with the film's more amusing on-screen flubs. Even so, 'Face/Off' shows how amazing a catalog title can look in high definition. Simply put, I can't imagine this film looking any better.
The Audio: Rating the Sound
Believe it or not, the audio package is even stronger than the video transfer. 'Face/Off' features a bombastic DTS ES 6.1 surround track (1.5 Mbps) and a confident Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 mix (1.5 Mbps), neither of which disappoint. While the additional channel in the DTS track makes rear pans more transparent, it didn't enhance the experience enough to praise one over the other after some volume matching.
Both tracks use intense dynamics to augment the on-screen insanity -- bass tones are particularly impressive and regularly sent rumbles and pulses stampeding through my home theater. LFE support hits with a palpable punch and gunfire is appropriately blaring. Likewise, treble whines are reliable, solid, and crisp. I could hear the heavy breathing of nervous background characters, the varied tip tap of footsteps on an assortment of flooring, and each tinkle of falling glass. The sound designers clearly worked overtime on this one and both the DTS and DD tracks showcase their efforts.
'Face/Off' isn't a quiet movie by any stretch of the imagination, but I was happy to find that the chaotic soundscape never muffled important lines or key effects. More importantly, the soundfield genuinely transports the listener into the film. Directionality is amazing and sounds whiz and streak between the channels naturally. I can't praise these tracks enough -- these aren't just impressive catalog mixes, they go toe-to-toe with the top tier tracks available on HD DVD.
The Supplements: Digging Into the Good Stuff
Although 'Face/Off' had languished on DVD for years without any significant supplements, in September of this year Paramount finally issued a Special Collector's Edition DVD chock full of extras. Thankfully the studio has ported them all over to this 2-disc HD DVD, presenting them here in full high definition.
Commentary with John Woo and Writers Mike Werb and Michael Colleary -- This track features a fairly interesting discussion that focuses on the early production of 'Face/Off.' The presence of Werb and Colleary helps Woo establish a flow and momentum to his comments, but as you might expect, they tend to keep the commentary focused on the story rather than the actors and the final edit. Woo throws in his two cents when it comes to the action and the on set choreography, but he seems like a supporting voice in a writer-driven conversation. Considering the fact that the writers have their own separate commentary track, I would have preferred to hear a lot more from the director on this one.
Commentary with Werb and Colleary -- This second commentary with the same writers as above ends up feeling repetitive and pointless. I appreciate their inclusion, but their outlook on the film is just too limited to sustain a second commentary. Two hours is a long time to listen to a series of seemingly endless lectures on a handful of subjects.
Deleted Scenes with Alternate Ending (9 minutes, HD) -- These excised scenes are intriguing in their own right, but were wisely cut since they tend to dwell on elements that are already extensively covered in the film's final cut. Likewise, the highly-touted alternate ending is a frightening glimpse of an idea that could've sucked the air out of the last minutes of the film. As it stands, the only thing that makes each scene worth watching is the presence of optional commentary from Woo.
The Light and Dark: Making Face/Off (64 minutes, HD) -- This is a full-length documentary divided into five featurettes that can be watched individually or all at once. Some of the information feels repetitive after listening to Woo and the writers, but the overall effort is much more sweeping than the commentaries."Science Fiction/Human Emotion" (10 minutes) is a worthwhile look at an early sci-fi treatment of the film that elevated plot over the emotional resonance of the theatrical version. "Cast/Characters" (17 minutes) explores the actors and their performances with plenty of engaging interviews and behind-the-scenes footage. "Woo/Hollywood" (22 minutes) hones in on the director and his global career. "Practical/Visual Effects" (10 minutes) is a pretty standard look at the art of hands-on SFX. Finally, "Future/Past" (6 minutes) ties up the proceedings with a quick look at the end result.
John Woo: A Life in Pictures (26 minutes, HD) -- This featurette almost makes up for the fact that Woo doesn't have his own commentary track. It examines the director's career, his canon of films, and his reputation on both sides of the Pacific. The best part is that the entire featurette is narrated by Woo himself. As a longtime fan, it was incredibly rewarding to listen to the director humbly discuss his life and his films.
Theatrical Trailer (2 minutes, HD)
HD Bonus Content: Any Exclusive Goodies in There?
Nothing.
Easter Eggs
No easter eggs reported for 'Face/Off' yet. Found an egg? Please use our tips form to let us know, and we'll credit you with the find.
Final Thoughts
Your enjoyment of 'Face/Off' will ultimately come down to how easily you can overlook its occasionally outlandish plot. Thankfully, this HD DVD release doesn't require any technical leaps of faith. It includes an excellent video transfer, a set of powerful audio tracks, and a healthy collection of supplements. This is a noteworthy treatment of a classic catalog actioner that's sure to make fans extremely happy.
