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1983: Scarface


1983 was a pretty weak year for film, although two of my favourite films were released. Star Wars Episode VI: The Return Of The Jedi is the main runner up. It's the weakest of the originals, but still has some great moments and I do like the Ewoks. Superman III isn't a film that would usually appear in a runner-ups list for best of the year, but I like a lot, especially for Christopher Reeve's performance. Other enjoyable films from 1983 are Trading Places, Mr. Mom, National Lampoon's Vacation & Christine. I haven't seen The King Of Comedy yet, as I had some trouble getting ahold of it.



Al Pacino is Tony Montana, a Cuban immigrant in Miami, who rises to the top and builds an empire of money and drugs.

An immortal classic, Scarface is excessive. There's excessive violence and swearing, excessive length, excessive dialogue, etc. Brian De Palma made possibly the most iconic film of the 1980's. Many still condemn it for being over-the-top and outrageously violent, but this is a masterpiece.

Al Pacino is towering in his performance as Tony Montana. He is given the best lines of dialogue and Pacino delivers it in a perfect accent and a terrific style of acting. He is wild and over-the-top, but the film is way more enjoyable for it. I think that Montana is Pacino's finest performance to date, better than The Godfather and all the rest.

De Palma has made a better film in his career, but Scarface really does stand out for all it's flash and style. It's length is epic, but never feels too long. There are so many great scenes in this film, but my favourite is the ending. Very well orchestrated and very action packed.

Last, but not least, I love the soundtrack. Giorgio Moroder's theme is just great. It's very underrated and the rest of the soundtrack keeps the excessive '80's theme alive.



Like The Untouchables, I really don't have much else to say about this film, except that it's the most iconic film of the '80's decade.