Gangster violence to a whole new level

Rating: 8/10 (18 July 2014)

In May 1980, Castro releases thousands of Cuban prisoners including Tony Montana (Al Pacino) from Mariel Harbor. His friend Manny Ribera (Steven Bauer) gets a contract to kill a political prisoner for green cards for both of them. They're soon working for drug dealer Omar Suarez (F. Murray Abraham) to double cross some Columbians. Tony takes advantage and becomes a hit-man for big boss Frank Lopez (Robert Loggia). He is after Lopez's girlfriend Elvira Hancock (Michelle Pfeiffer) and his whole empire. His mother (Miriam Colon) disapproves of his work and tries to separate him from his adoring sister Gina (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio).
Al Pacino gives one of the most memorable weird performance of the world. Director Brian De Palma brings an ultra-violent sense to the material. It brings almost joy to this violent villain character. It reminds me of the old WB gangster movies where violence rules. This pushes it to an even higher level. It's a new icon of the gangster movies.