every great gangster movie have under current of human drama . don not expect an emotional story of guilt and retribution and despair from scarface . this be a tale of ferocious greed and corruption and and power . the darker side of the fabled american dream . anybody complain about the cheesiness of this film be miss the point . the superficial character and cheesy music and and dated fashion far fuel the criticism of this life of diabolical excess . nothing in the life of these character really matter and not on any human level at least . in fact the film practically borderlines satire and ironic consider all the gangsta rapper that be positively inspire by the lifestyle of tony montana . this isn not brian depalma strong directorial effort and it be occasionally excellent and well handle ( particularly the memorable finale ) and but frequently sink to sloppy and mislead . thankfully and it be support by a very strong script by oliver stone ( probably good therapy for him and consider the coke habit he be tackle at the time ) . the theme be consistent and with the focus primarily on the life of tony montana and and the evolution of his character a he be consume by greed and power . the dialogue be also excellent and see saw comfortably between humour and drama . there be many stand out line and which have since worm their way into popular culture in one form or another . the cast help make it what it be as well and but this be really pacino film . one of his early less subtle performance ( something much more common from him nowadays ) and this be a world entirely separate from michael corleone and frank serpico . yet he be a watchable here a ever and in very entertaining ( and intentionally over the top ) form . it be hard to imagine another tony montana after see this film and in possibly one of the most mimicked performance ever . pfeiffer stand out a dull and uncomfortable on first viewing and but i have come to realize how she play out the part of the bored little wife . not an exceptional effort and but unfairly misjudge . the supporting player be very good too and particularly paul shenar a the suave alejandro sosa . powerful and occasionally humorous and sometimes shocking and and continually controversial . scarface be one of the film of the eighty ( whatever that might mean to you ) . an essential and accessible gangster flick and and a pop culture landmark . positive .