Scarface is the most over hyped film possibly ever made. You don’t think so? Let’s see if I can change your opinion with a little information you probably don’t even know. Scarface is a 1983 crime drama film, directed by Brian De Palm, written by Oliver stone and starring Al Pacino as Tony Montana. Now a lot of people don’t even know that this is a remake of a classic film by Howard Hawks in 1932. But the difference is everything. The original film is loosely based upon the life of Al Capone whose real nick name was indeed “Scarface”. So let’s get a few things straighten out. Al Capone is Italian and Tony is Cuban. Capone was one of the biggest mob leaders ever and Tony was a cocaine addicted gangster. Yeah that’s what you call an awesome remake (sarcasm).
This whole debate all started with two friends of mines who are huge fans of the movie. But at least one of them (Nelson) knows the history behind the film, while the other (Alex) doesn’t care or doesn’t find the need to know. Both also have no real opinion to call it a great film. I’m not saying the film is horrible, I’m saying it’s over hyped and no more than an average movie that was blown to heights for no reason other than its violence and its issues with using the word “Fuck” more than needed.
In Alex opinion, he states that Scarface is one of the best films because of it quotes, story, and that it out lasted the years. He debated and I quote him “You can’t name at least 10 films that have been quoted as much as Scarface.” So to get that point out of the way, here’s at least 10 films that still have quotes being used to this day and are as popular as Scarface quotes.
“You talkin to me?” (Taxi Driver- Robert De Niro)
“Heeeere’s Johnny” (The Shining- Jack Nicholson)
“I’ll have what she’s having” (When Harry met Sally)
“Luke, I am your father” (Empire Strike Back)
“You can’t handle the truth!” (A Few Good Men-Jack Nicholson)
“Shaken, not stirred” (Most James Bond Films)
“Life is Like a Box of Chocolates” (forest Gump- Tom hanks)
“I’ll be back” (Terminator- Arnold)
“Hasta Lavista, Baby” (Terminator 2 – Arnold)
“You’ve gotta ask yourself a question… Do I feel lucky? Well do you punk?” (Dirty Harry- Clint Eastwood)
And for a bonus, Austin Powers. That movie has the most over used quotes ever. Just in the first movie alone there’s “ Yeah Baby!”, “ Do I make you Horny”, “ Get in mah belly!” ,” Groooovy Baby”, and the sad part is that in all likely hood I’m forgetting many more. The most common quotes of Scarface are “Say hello to my little friend”. Others that fail in comparisons to that quote in popularity are “You know what? Fuck you. How about that?” which I use myself at times and of course “The World is yours”. So I think I pretty much proved him wrong. Scarface is not the only movie to have over used quotes.
To go on, Scarface is possibly the worse written movie ever. A person who writes a script and has the word FUCK used 226 times, which averages out to 1.32 fucks per minute, one has no talent for literature and two cannot write. I mean the movie was written by a man who was fighting cocaine addiction and it obviously showed in the film.
Al Pacino is a great actor, there’s no lies about that but the way he portrays a Cuban Immigrant is the worse ever on screen. I have 3 Cuban friends and none of them sound anything like he did. He said on the DVD that he had told everyone from day 1 to only speak Spanish, so he can get the grasp of sounding Hispanic. Sorry Al but your friends fucked you over, because you sound like an ass and you just made a Cuban stereo type, thanks Al.
There are so many flaws to the movie to point out to why I will never say it’s a great film. A great film does not have to be perfect, but I would say have to be near perfect. I can say I’ve been to at least 4 websites that don’t even have Scarface on their top 10 to 25. Metal critic rates it a 65 out of a 100 using 9 top ranking critics. IMDB voter ranked Scarface 171 out of 250 in their best film list. If you want more here are 4 links to other top Best films.
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AFI%27s_100_Years…_100_Movies
- http://www.time.com/time/2005/100movies/the_complete_list.html
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Films_considered_the_greatest_ever#Crime.2FGangster
- http://www.metacritic.com/film/highscores.shtml
There’s no doubt Scarface is a Cult Film but people need to know what a cult film is.
“A cult film is a movie that attracts a devoted group of followers or obsessive fans, despite having failed on its initial release. The term also describes films that have remained popular over a long period of time amongst a small group of followers.”
That’s exactly what Scarface is and if you don’t agree with that you’re kind of outnumbered. Entertainment weekly has ranked Scarface number 8 on their list of “The top 50 Cult Films” and it also barely made it to AFI top 10 Best gangsters Film Genre as number 10. Alone in the Hip hop communities they have hyped the movie, and not because it’s great film but because they idolize the themes and its main character, which they put in their music, where today’s youth listen to and eat up. I’m not saying all the Hip hop community but I would say a little more than half do. Why would you idolize a cocaine addicted murderer?
Nelson once told me Scarface is really about a man getting the American dream and that’s why rappers idolize it. I cannot agree with that. Isn’t living the American dream suppose to be you living a happy free life cause Tony was the most paranoid, abusive, unhappy character I have ever seen supposedly trying to live the American dream.
So I’ve given my honest opinion on a film and its fans. Road to Perdition, Carlitos Way, Good Fellas, and The Untouchables, these are films that over shadow Scarface in so many ways but there’s no way to convince such a fan base otherwise. So I end this article, my opinion and my opinion alone. , but with an educated and well thought out point of view that isn’t clouded by being an over taken fan.
You are having a go at your friends for having an opinion. If you don’t like the film fair enough, but you’re a sad fuck for putting your silly little argument on the internet. Instead of publishing your argument go for a beer with your friends instead. One last thing. IT’S A FILM! THINGS DON’T HAVE TO BE PERFECT, so long as it keeps you entertained.
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Mercilless Reply:
July 16th, 2009 at 3:48 pm
I never said I don’t like the film. The whole article is about how it’s over rated. I actually say the film is avg never said it was terrible other then the writing. If I’m a sad fuck for putting a argument and my opinion on my site than what about hm let’s say the millions of others who have blogs or forums, and including yours on my page. I’m not having a go at anyone. Me and my friends argue over each other opinions all the time it’s something they invented years ago, they called it debating.
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I look at him like an pop icon,film role is an irrelevant,but I total agree with you about that…all discussion about this is stupid…who want to idolize him come on,go ahead,that talks about himself…….
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Lots of Great information in your post, I bookmarked your blog post so I can visit again in the future, Cheers, Caterina Burgeson
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