Impossible to dislike

Rating: 7/10 (29 January 2019)

After you've seen the remake of Scarface, you can completely understand why the original has escaped everyone's memory, even though it propelled a brand-new actor into instant stardom in 1932. You can also completely understand why Al Pacino sealed his fate to forever play bad guys. Even during the rare instances where he wasn't cast as the bad guy, his character was still given an edge or a shady past. After playing Michael Corleone and Tony Montana, it's just impossible to play a completely good guy.
If you can stomach the violence, you have to watch this movie. It's one of those modern classics that gives you goosebumps during the first scene, since it's so clear you're watching movie magic. Obviously, if intense and frequent violence upsets you, you have my full understanding. Stick to your non-violent guns and never let anyone pressure you into seeing this movie. This is a man's movie, with a completely masculine protagonist who rises to the top of the crime world through drugs, violence, a raging temper, and a penchant for beautiful women. It also has one of the most memorable shootouts in screen history. When Al Pacino says, "Say hello to my little friend!" he's not inviting Michelle Pfeiffer into his bedroom. Ladies, you're much better off renting Frankie and Johnny.
Fellas, you're going to find yourself a new favorite movie the first time you rent Scarface. I had countless friends in college who cited this movie as one of their all-time favorites, even the pretentious guys who valued art above all else. It's such a classic that it's impossible to dislike, even if you hate it. My mom, who is very much a lady and doesn't like violence, has repeatedly praised the effort of the film and Al Pacino's wonderful performance. See what I mean? It's just impossible not to appreciate this Cuban extension of The Godfather, with a flawless performance by the ultimate gangster.
I used to have "movie star parties" when I was in school, and the lucky youngster who got to play Al Pacino enjoyed reciting his lines so much, and we all loved seeing him recreate the "say goodnight to the bad guy" speech that was so memorable from Scarface. There's so much from the movie that you'll remember, from the bottomless piles of cocaine, to the borderline incestuous relationship between Al and his sister Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, to Al's endlessly mimicable accent, to Michelle Pfeiffer's beauty that's so exquisite, you think you might go blind if you look at her for too long.
Kiddy Warning: Obviously, you have control over your own children. However, due to graphic violence, nudity, drug use, and language, I wouldn't let my kids watch it.