Historically inaccurate with many holes in the storyline.

Rating: 5/10 (11 September 2013)

Scarface can be interpreted in many ways. Some people who like it interpret it as a dark comedy about American excess, characterized by wealth and violence. Others view it as a critique of the American Dream. Regardless of how it's viewed, the movie is overrated.
Tony Montana's character arrives in Miami being expelled from Cuba in search of the American Dream. Given an opportunity to impress Cuban crime boss Frank Lopez, he does so and become a vital part of his organization. This part of the movie is not clear. How long has Mr. Lopez been in Miami? If he was part of the first wave of immigrants that arrived in the 60's, it's highly unlikely that he engages in drug dealing. Cuban drug dealers were comprised almost entirely of Marielitos like Tony and not the old guard. Many Cuban immigrants who arrived in the 60's were in fact wealthy by the 1980's. However, their wealth did not come from drug money like the movie implies.
After Tony gains power within Frank's organization, Frank sees him as a threat and attempts to kill him with failed results. Tony then kills Frank, along with corrupt cop Mel Bernstein, and takes over his organization. We then see Tony rise to power and achieve the American Dream. This part of the movie skips some broad strokes. Are we to believe that Tony just kills Frank and takes over a drug empire that easily? The movie makes it seem like taking over a drug empire is similar to the Visigoths sacking Rome. How do we know Frank's old customers will deal with Tony? Let's not forget that Tony also killed a high ranking cop with seemingly no consequence. I wish these issues were addressed. It would've added 5 minutes to the movie to see Tony strong arm a customer who refuses to accept him as the new guard or see Tony pay off a few cops to cover up Mel's murder.
Once he achieves success, Tony becomes paranoid and begins to lose his edge. Strangely enough, it's his refusal to kill a wife and kid of a politician that leads to Tony's death. What?! Are you really trying to give a monster like Tony Montana a little humanity? It would've made more sense if Tony died because he was trying to subvert power from Sosa. This would go more in line with the underlying theme of the movie, which is greed.
The movie is not without its good points. It does touch on a few issues that criminals run into such as money laundering and everyone wanting a piece of the pie. It also shows how wealth can create distance between not only the ones you love, but cause you to become out of touch with reality as well. Tony's paranoia is evidence of this.
Because of the films historical inaccuracies and missing pieces, it's hard for me to say the film is good. I know what Stone is trying to do here but he falls short of making a great gangster movie.