Entertaining film about gangsters.

Rating: Null/10 (13 March 2002)

Loud, crude, violent and highly entertaining, Scarface is a live-wire of a film. Although not without its faults, this film boldly explores the seamy, violent underworld of criminals. It is a roller-coaster ride of a film, often jolting the viewers with scenes of mindless graphic violence and vulgarity.
Al Pacino plays the character of Tony Montana, a Cuban refugee who rises from a street drug-courier to a major underworld boss, with unrestrained abandon and incredible energy. In the Godfather trilogy, Al Pacino's Michael Corleone was a man of introspection, intelligence, honor, discipline and tact. Tony, on the other hand, is all machismo and crude vigor, a man unable to rein in his passions and emotions. They are almost polar opposites. Oftentimes, Tony Montana comes off as a caricature, always appearing ready to spring at someone with his perpetual sneer and scowl glued to his face, spewing vulgarity at every turn. Al Pacino pretty much hams it up as Tony Montana and is fun to watch.
Other actors of note are Steven Bauer as Tony's right-hand man and Michelle Pfeiffer as Tony's quiet suffering wife. Michelle Pfeiffer is great in this film. She is able to exude vulnerability and innocence through her cold, sad and distant exterior.
The film is nicely shot and well-directed by Brian De Palma. Only minor complaint I have about the film is that it often verges on the cartoonish, with caricatures for characters and over-the-top violence, but they are very minor. This is still a fun, entertaining film with great acting. Check it out.