Scarface

Rating:
Summary: SOUND DTS?YEAH RIGHT!!!
Review: I THINK UNIVERSAL NEEDS TO TAKE NOTES FROM WHOEVER REMASTERED THE SOUND ON THE FIRST TERMINATOR DVD.THE TERMINATOR TRACK WAS OLD CRAPPY AND MONO AND MGM TURNED IT INTO A POWERHOUSE OF GUNFIRE AND EXPLOSIONS SONIC CLARITY ETC.THIS SCARFACE DVD THE PICTURE IS QUIT GOOD .BUT THE SOUND IS EL CRAPPO.THE DTS TRACK IS A LITTLE MORE BETTER THAN THE DOLBY DIGITAL.BUT OVERALL IT STILL SOUNDS FLAT.I THINK IF YOU WANNA SAVE ELECTRICITY JUST USE YOUR TV SPEAKERS TO WATCH THIS FLICK CUZ THERE IS NO SENSE IN TURNING ON YOUR RECIEVER UNLESS YOU WANT TO LISTEN TO THE MUSIC ON HERE WHICH DOESNT SOUND TOO BAD.BUT THIS MOVIE IS A CLASSIC AND IS DEFINATLEY WORTH BUYING JUST FOR THE EXTRAS AND PICTURE QUALITY AND THE NEAT DVD PACKAGING.

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely, Undeniably 100% classic, mang!
Review: Finally, the wait is over! After suffering through years of having to get my Scarface fix by watching Universal's old Collector's Edition DVD, which went down in digital history as one of the worst video transfers of all time, the Anniversary Edition has finally arrived. And the wait was definetely worth it. Well, almost...

For the uninitiated, a brief summary: Scarface tells the tale of the indelible Tony Montana, a small time Cuban refugee hoodlum who eventually guns his way to becoming the cocaine king of Miami. Everything about this film reeks of classic status; most of all, Al Pacino's performance as Tony. It may not technically be his best performance ever, but it's the one people will remember him the most by (except maybe the Godfather films). Scarface is the swan song for the underdogs of the world which is why it's become so embraced over the years. A tale of a nothing who became a something - what's not to like? The ultimate American Dream.

Now, on to this new DVD. I got the boxed set, but the features are the same as they are on the regular Anniversary Edition. The video transfer absolutely made me drool when I first popped this in. If you had to endure Universal's Collector's Edition for as long as I have, you know exactly why. This is the best I've EVER seen Scarface look. The sound is also much better, coming in (for the first time on Region 1 DVD) 5.1 surround sound. When Scarface was briefly released in theaters a few weeks ago, Universal added enhanced sound effects (like they did with Jaws on DVD) which sounded nice and LOUD. But for the purist in me, I'm glad they kept the original effects for this DVD. The enhanced effects might be featured on the DTS track, since the new theatrical version had DTS sound, but I'm not sure. I don't have a DTS decoder for my DVD player.

The features are kind of where this edition disappoints. It contains the same making-of feature found on the old Collector's Edition DVD divided up into a few sections (though you can select "Play All" to watch them sequentially), but at least Universal had the good will to add a few more TV version comparisons, which are hysterical to watch ("How am I gonna get a scar like that eating PINEAPPLE, mang?"). Universal also decided to add a few more deleted scenes than the old DVD had, which aren't too revealing, but definitely worth a look if you're a fan of the movie. Next up is Def Jam's documentary called "Origins of a Gangster Classic," which lends absolutely no credibility to the making of this film, but explains why Scarface is such a beloved movie among rap artists. Interesting, but I don't think I'd watch it again. And then you have the standard Cast & Crew highlights. Odd enough, though, there are no theatrical trailers here (which were also on the Collector's Edition). Maybe I got my hopes up too high when I heard Universal was re-releasing Scarface, but I was really expecting more here. What's with Brian De Palma, anyway? Is he afraid to do commentaries or something?

That covers the standard Anniversary Edition, so let's get on to the box set. The set's biggest bonus is the 1932 version of Scarface starring Paul Muni. It's obviously dated, but a pretty good movie, and fans of the modern version will get a kick out of the similarities between both films. The set also comes with eight lobby cards and a cute little Tony Montana gold money clip. I wouldn't call this set as good as Universal's E.T. gift set, but it's definitely worth the money. True fans shouldn't be without it.

Small gripe: There was no chapter insert! Only a promo leaflet for the box set and Def Jam's soundtrack. The Carlito's Way Special Edition also comes with no insert, so if this is Universal's new trend, I'm not liking it.

Oh, well. Small potatoes for such a huge film. I think I've seen Scarface more times than any other movie in history, which is unprecedented considering it's nearly three hour length. Hey, I'd rather watch three hours of Scarface or the Godfather than an hour and a half of Swimfan. And now, those of you who missed out on the old DVD can finally see what all the fuss is about in all of it's anamorphic widescreen glory.

Whenever someone asks me what my favorite movie is, I answer with a resounding, "Scarface!" Highly, HIGHLY recommended. Your DVD collection, whether it contains 10 or 1,000 movies, isn't complete without it.

Rating:
Summary: Say hello to this great DVD!!
Review: Finally scarface is on DVD! Al Pacino delivers one of his greatest performances ever!! The ending to this movie make it a classic! An absolute must have for action movie fans!!

Rating:
Summary: Say 'ello to mah leetle DVD!
Review: In the fall of 2003, the doors at the mall were opened, and several set sail for the entertainment store. They came in search of CD's and DVD's. One of them found it in the 20th Anniversary Edition DVD of the 1983 classic Scarface... action, violence, and a story beyond his wildest dreams. He was Mr. Buckley. The store clerk will remember him by another name... THE GUY WHO BOUGHT SCARFACE.

At last, Scarface has found a home on DVD. So many are wondering, how does the anniversary edition hold up? Pretty damned well, I say. First of all, the picture looks great. On the old VHS copy, the picture looks kind of grainy (then again, we've had it in my house for as long as I can remember), but on the DVD, of course, it looks great. Second, the sound gives the action new life. Just listen to those shots going off! That 5.1 audio really lets you hear the blood splatter! Also, the extra features are great. Interviews, deleted scenes, hell, even contrasting the theatrical version with the TV version. You get a lot of goodies here.

Now, on to the movie itself. It's a masterpiece. Pure and simple. If you haven't seen this movie yet, shame on you. Go out NOW and BUY IT. Don't bother renting; BUY IT! Al Pacino pretty much gained his legend status by portraying Cuban refugee/drug kingpin Tony Montana, but Steve Bauer, Michelle Pfeiffer, and everybody else give awesome performances as well.

Make no mistake: this is NOT, I repeat, NOT a movie for the squeamish. If you are, stick to the Wiggles. But if you're not, and you want a fantastic movie that disturbs you, excites you, interests you, grabs a hold of your attention and does NOT let go for the entire 170 minutes, click the "Buy Now" button, and enjoy Scarface. I know you will.

So say goodnight to the review guy!

Rating:
Summary: Scarface- Hardcore, Creative and Yet Interesting
Review: Scarface, the 1983 action-drama starring Al Pacino as a Cuban refugee is one hell of a movie. Though dealing with much controversy, Brian DePalma makes a striking movie here. Al Pacino plays Tony Montana, a druglord who is involved in the business and gets involved in a deadly trap and soon becomes a target. The plot is isn't incomprehensible nor it is disposable. It's an intitially intriguing film at the look of the drug business and how it can cause so much havoc and ruin a man's life. Based on the old 1932 film made by Howard Hawks, there is a huge difference between them. Scarface also features nice supporting roles from Michelle Pfeiffer, George Bauer, Robert Loggia as well as a few others.
Director Brian DePalma depicts much realism with quite a bit of over-the-top violence, including a chain saw scene (only blood is shown), a hanging from a helicopter but mainly fatal and bloody gunplay as well as excessive profanity, to be more specific the use of one particular word starting with an "f." Though the film has an "R" rating, at first it was rated "X." You may not realize it, but much devotion and hard work was put into making this film. Oliver Stone wrote the screenplay, easy to say why it was controversial now.
The new DVD edition features some nice behind-the-scenes footage, mainly 3 documenataries on the acting, creating and rebirth of the film. All featuring interviews with cast and crew. Though if you viewed the film recently, it may not seem as over-the-top now as it did back in 1983. Scarface is worth owning on Video or DVD. Note: Not a film for young audiences.

Rating:
Summary: Not Enough Cheese...
Review: Although I found this movie rather enjoyable (What with the guns and stuff). It suffers through lack of cheese usage.

TUT TUT!

Rating:
Summary: Unmistakably, the BEST bad ass, savage movie out there.
Review: Putting all of that whining aside by other reviewers, this is one of THE if not THE best movie of all time. Sure the sound could be better or whatever, there's always room for improvement. Look beyond, and get yourself ready for one of the ultimate masterpieces of all time.

Rating:
Summary: Review of the "Scarface" Anniversary Edition DVD
Review: "Scarface" has finally been given the proper DVD treatment with this special 20th anniversary edition of the movie. While originally dismissed by film critics as an ultra-glossy celebration of violence, profanity, and drug use, this movie has now earned its rank as a modern-day classic. Al Pacino's ultra-charismatic performance of Cuban refugee turned drug kingpin, Tony Montana is certainly the highlight of this massive crime epic.

Tony and his partner, Manolo have exiled from Cuba and are looking to capitalize on the "American dream". Starting off as foot soldiers for boss Frank Lopez, they soon move their way up the ladder in the world of drug-dealing. With bloodbaths and double-crosses at every turn of the corner, Tony eventually finds himself on top of the drug kingdom with Lopez's beautiful girlfriend (Michelle Pfeifer) as his wife and a fortune in drug money at his disposal.

"Scarface" is not a beautiful love story. It is in its essence, a tale of capitalism gone awry. While Pacino's Montana is often viewed as a loyal guy, it is his greed that manages to destroy not only himself but everyone around him. He fiends for his boss' girlfriend out of lust, not love. His relationship with this character is never treated as a romance. She is a prize that comes with the territory. The only person Tony does seem to have unconditional love for is his sister but even that love is of a such a controlling nature that he never allows for her to find true happiness. By the end of the second act, Tony is so caught up in his world of greed and drug-enduced paranoia that he seems all but finished. The murder of his best friend seems to foreshadow his own downfall.

This movie has become a staple of pop culture. Montana's trademark lines have been quoted in every movie from FRIDAY to ACE VENTURA: WHEN NATURE CALLS. While it was originally best known for its violence in such scenes as the infamous chainsaw sequence and the bullet-riddled conclusion, "Scarface" has grown to be a larger-than-life film.

While this movie is revered by many as a true classic, the film itself is flawed but it is in those subtle imperfections that we have come to know and love this film. Pacino's trademark accent is ridicilous but appealing nonetheless. In fact, most of the Cuban characters are played by Italian-American actors. Steven Bauer, one of the select few authentic Cuban actors in the film is entertaining in his portrayal of Manolo, Tony's sidekick.

This "special edition" DVD presentation is amazing. We get an in-depth look at the making of the film, deleted scenes, and an explanation of the influence of the film on today's audience. This DVD is definetly an essential addition to any true film buff's collection.

Rating:
Summary: THE BEST
Review: This is one of The BEST movies ever made, point blank.

Rating:
Summary: What remastering?
Review: The digital video transfer and 5.1 DTS surround sound they said would be included in this DVD was a complete lie. The sound is just as horrible as it was in the original DVD, as you hear "pops" for gun shots and explosions. And the video is just as grainy and dark. It's truly a shame that such a great movie can be tainted with such a horrible DVD. If you have the original DVD, I wouldn't waste your money or get your hopes up on this DVD.