Classic 80's Movie Review-Scarface (1983)

"In this country you gotta make the money first. Then when you get the money, you get the power. Then when you get the power, then you get the woman." Whoever has experienced the movie Scarface knows this quote as well as several other quotes from this unforgettable film. Scarface is directed by Brian De Palma and written by Oliver Stone. Scarface is a modern day parable, which Oliver Stone wanted to update from the 1932 version starring Paul Muni. Scarface warns against the evils of power, money and drugs. How it can corrupt the person who achieves it too quickly as well as too easily.

Al Pacino takes the Paul Muni's role as "Tony Montana" a Cuban refugee coming straight out of the boat. Tony and his friend Manny Ribera played by Steven Bauer, are two of 125,000 Cuban's that immigrate to Miami, Florida and among others with at least 25,000 with a criminal record. Tony and Manny meet with resistance and is thrown into Freedomtown, the place where Cubans without Green Cards are held.
They receive their green card after killing a former Cuban security agent named Emilo Rebenga. Tony and Manny then begin living the American dream by working at a small Cuban food stand. Tony immediately becomes restless. Tony cannot wait to live the rich American dream. Tony wants it now. He then begins to look for opportunities to earn more money however possible.
Tony finds an opportunity to earn more money from a drug dealer named Omar Suez who needs them to unload some cocaine. Omar offers them $500.00 a piece and Tony asks for more. This shady deal leads to many shady other deals where Tony and Manny earn a lot of money very fast. Tony becomes richer than God and earns the "Grand Prize" Elvira Hancock, Frank Lopez's girlfriend played by (Michelle Phfeiffer). Tony has the world by its tail however is still unhappy. This is when he begins his dissention to the bottom and loses everything, and everyone in his life. p>Scarface's is cheesy, the music tinny and Al Pacino's acting is way over the top. The script is corny half-baked and overdone; but I still love this movie. Yes, Scarface is the ultimate classic "Guy" movie, and I still love it. I can watch it over and over again. (Don't get me wrong; I still love the "Girly girl" movies). Scarface is the essential classic 80's movie, reflecting 80's decadence by exposing the its excess for money, power and drugs. I don't know if Scarface should be included with 80's classics such as Blade Runner, Tron, War games, Pretty In Pink, etc. However, Scarface does deserve its place in the Classic 80's Popcorn movie history. So, rent or buy it or download it, pop some corn lay in bed and enjoy. You are in for a great ride.

Citing references:
www.IMBD.com/title/ho862/50/quotes
www.hometheatreinfo.com
www.scarface1983.com/trivia.html