Scarface Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of Brian De Palma’s "Scarface" arrives with a 1080p/VC-1 transfer and a substantial amount of both praise and criticism. Daytime scenes benefit tremendously from the detailed picture quality, capturing every wrinkle and bead of sweat on Al Pacino's face, while Florida's tropical backdrop gleams with vivid and dazzling primaries. The gaudy suits and intricate designs within Tony Montana’s mansion are distinctly visible, maintaining excellent fine object detailing. Skintones generally appear healthy and appropriate with great texture, especially during close-ups. Colors, particularly the reds, have a rich vibrancy that aligns with De Palma’s stylistic choices, contributing to the film's audacious visual flair.

However, the transfer is not without its flaws. Night-time sequences and low-lit interiors often fall victim to severe crush, where dark areas merge into indistinguishable blobs, significantly detracting from the visual fidelity. There’s noticeable edge enhancement leading to halos and occasional minor ringing. Noise reduction is intermittently applied, especially during night scenes where grain is expected to be thicker, which can sometimes be distracting. Additionally, the contrast can occasionally appear overly aggressive, impacting delineation and resulting in certain scenes appearing less natural.

Despite these issues, this is one of Universal's better catalog transfers. Compression anomalies are minimal even with a packed BD-50 disc hosting a three-hour film, a 7.1 lossless surround track, and multiple extras. This balance results in an overall viewing experience that, while not perfect, still offers several moments of high-definition brilliance. The presentation proves satisfactory compared to previous TV and DVD versions and ensures that "Scarface" has indeed never looked better on home video.

Universal's DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track for "Scarface" delivers an impressive, if not revolutionary, audio experience. Dialogue remains clear, clean, and well-prioritized throughout, while panning effects are consistently smooth. The low-frequency effects (LFE) output adds significant weight to the explosive sequences, manifesting superbly with every gunshot, explosion, and chainsaw rev. Rear speaker activity is energetic and aggressive, enhancing immersion with Miami street noise and nightclub ambiance. While the audio mix does reveal occasional thinness and tinniness expected from its 1983 origins, these are minor imperfections that do not detract from the overall enjoyment.

The treatment of action scenes is particularly praiseworthy, with bullets and explosions moving fluidly across channels, creating an engaging and immersive experience. Despite the high-intensity action, the soundtrack never loses sight of the film's dialogue-driven nature, maintaining excellent channel separation that ensures vocals are clear and well-balanced. Off-screen effects are discrete and add a sense of spatial realism that enlivens the film's soundscape. The mix showcases remarkable mid-range clarity and fidelity, ensuring that no detail is lost even during louder scenes. Additionally, the low-end provides a satisfyingly punchy depth that enhances the overall audio experience.

In conclusion, although the 7.1 mix may not elevate "Scarface" to the levels of modern audio tracks, it does a commendable job of leveraging its classic 1980s sound design to deliver an enjoyable listening experience. The inclusion of a second audio option featuring the film’s original stereo design is a welcome addition that complements the high-rez track splendidly. Overall, Universal’s lossless remix stays true to the personality of De Palma’s masterpiece, making it a must-listen for both new viewers and longtime fans.

This Blu-ray release of "Scarface (1983)" offers an extensive and engaging range of bonus features that enrich the viewer’s experience by delving into the film’s roots, creation, and cultural impact. Presented along with the 1932 version of "Scarface" directed by Howard Hawks and Richard Rosson, these extras provide valuable insights through interviews with cast and crew, as well as interactive features like the Picture in Picture Experience and Scarface Scoreboard. The Rebirth, The Acting, and The Creating are notable for their detailed behind-the-scenes looks at the movie’s development and production challenges. This collection of special features enhances the appreciation of both the 1983 classic and its historical predecessor.

Extras included in this disc:

• Scarface (1932): The original movie directed by Howard Hawks and Richard Rosson.
• Picture in Picture Experience: Discussions on casting, production, and legacy.
• Scarface Scoreboard: Tracks F-bombs and bullets throughout the movie.
• The Scarface Phenomenon: A documentary examining the film’s history and impact.
• The World of Tony Montana: Interviews on the drug trafficking culture.
• The Creating: Insights into filming, violence, and public reaction.
• The Rebirth: Comparisons between the 1932 and 1983 films.
• The Acting: Exploration of performances and casting.
• Scarface: The TV Version: Edited broadcast version snippets.
• The Making of Scarface: The World Is Yours: Overview of the 2006 video game.
• Deleted Scenes: Over twenty minutes of cut scenes.

Additional functionality includes BD-Live and My Scenes Bookmarking.

Brian De Palma's "Scarface," penned by Oliver Stone, is a raw, relentless exploration of excess and ambition. Al Pacino's portrayal of Tony Montana is a masterclass in acting, embodying a Cuban exile's ruthless climb up Miami's criminal underworld. Montana's meteoric rise and fall are punctuated by unbridled violence and over-the-top melodrama, blurring the lines between tragedy and grotesque spectacle. While initially criticized for its excessive violence and profanity, the film has evolved into a cultural phenomenon, lauded for its audacious narrative and vivid characterizations.

The narrative intricately weaves historical context into its fabric, reflecting on the Mariel boatlift and the influx of Cuban refugees with criminal pasts into Florida. Yet, it transcends mere crime drama by delving into the "American Dream" gone awry. Tony's insatiable greed and narcissism drive him to amass wealth and power devoid of joy or fulfillment, rendering every triumph hollow. His relationships are equally empty—his love for Elvira (Michelle Pfeiffer) is possessive and devoid of genuine emotion, while his friendship with Manny (Steven Bauer) deteriorates under the weight of paranoia and betrayal.

De Palma's direction enhances Stone's screenplay through meticulous, patient cinematography that contrasts stark violence with moments of calm, heightening suspense. Noteworthy scenes, like the chainsaw dismemberment, showcase De Palma's ability to maximize tension through suggestive rather than explicit imagery. The final act epitomizes this technique, culminating in a visually arresting yet tragic descent into madness. Pacino’s performance anchors the film, transforming Montana into a figure as compelling as he is terrifying. Despite its flaws and divisive reception, "Scarface" remains a monumental cinematic achievement—a visceral portrayal of ambition's corrosive impact, framed within an unforgettable narrative tapestry.

Brian De Palma's "Scarface," anchored by a stellar screenplay from Oliver Stone, delivers an intense and hyperrealistic portrayal of the American Dream corrupted. Al Pacino's iconic performance as Tony Montana remains a touchstone of the gangster genre, bringing both ruthless brutality and a nuanced character study. The Blu-ray release captures the film's vibrancy and visceral intensity, though it isn’t without its imperfections. Video quality varies, presenting some issues that detract from an otherwise significant upgrade over previous DVD releases.

Despite these visual shortcomings, the DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 mix is notable for its depth and clarity, achieving an immersive experience that will satisfy audiophiles. The supplemental features are another strong aspect of this release, offering an abundance of insightful extras, including a notable presentation of the original 1932 "Scarface" on standard DVD. This rich compilation makes the Blu-ray a valuable acquisition for both new viewers and dedicated fans.

Scarface may not be king, but as the mad prince of gangster cinema, it still wields frightening sway over its subjects, even some twenty-eight years after its release. Love it or loathe it, De Palma's crime epic is a tour de force, Stone's script remains one of his most startling, and Pacino's performance holds everything in its orbit. Universal's Blu-ray release captures it all well. Its video transfer has a variety of issues but stands head and shoulders above its DVD counterpart; its DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 will strike some as overkill but impresses nonetheless; and its supplemental package, while relegating the original 1932 Scarface to a standard DVD, has plenty of excellent extras to go around. Like the film itself, the Blu-ray release of Scarface isn't perfect. It's worth serious consideration, though, so proceed accordingly.