 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Scarface
- Review Date: October 31, 2005
- R
- Genre: Drama
- 1983
Common Sense Media says
Extremely violent '80s crime classic with drugs, sex, etc.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Scarface is extremely violent from start to finish and is not recommended to anyone under the age of 17. It has developed a cultlike following, especially among teenage males. Despite the main character's death due to his violent criminal behavior, his dramatic outbursts may appeal to angsty teens. Additionally, the obscenity-filled dialogue is some of the most quotable in film history, with many lines having been incorporated into hip-hop lyrics of the past 20 years. Tony treats his wife quite poorly, verbally lashing out at her. Cocaine is a constant presence in the film.
What's the story?
The powerful triumvirate of director Brian DePalma, screenwriter Oliver Stone, and actor Al Pacino came together to create this 1980s soaked reworking of the classic Howard Hawks gangster film, SCARFACE. It's the story of Cuban refugee, Tony Montana (Al Pacino) who climbs to the top of Miami's cocaine scene, eventually falling prey to both addiction and his own assassination. As Tony's wife Elvira, Michelle Pfeiffer plays the role drugged out and disinterested, convincingly enough to make her appeal to Tony almost unfathomable. In a holdover from the 1932 version, Tony's overbearing relationship with his sister Gina (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio) has tones of incestuous desire; only in this version, Gina actually confronts him about this in a shockingly violent manner.
Is it any good?
This film's reputation stands up there with Pulp Fiction (1994) as a "must see" for hip teens (especially males) who love their violence spiked with copious amounts of darkly humorous dialogue ("Say hello to my little friend."). Al Pacino gives his first of many truly over-the-top performances with gusto.
Every bit of the film, from the camera moves to the set design is excessively done, like Tony's life, and in that sense, the film is imbued with a feeling of 1980s self-indulgent immorality. This film is extremely violent and is not recommended to anyone under the age of 17.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about how Tony's story is a rise-and-fall scenario, and how it makes the obvious point that the decadent lifestyle of a drug kingpin can crumble very easily. Does Al Pacino's character make his violent lifestyle more attractive than it really is?
Is the graphic and verbal violence necessary to convey the story, or is it overindulgent?
What can be said of Tony's troubled relationships with women? Does Tony ever even appear to be happy or content for a moment of the film? For that matter, do any of the characters?
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Adult
May 21, 2011
AGE
Great Classic!
I love This movie its on my to 5 list. This was Al Pacino's best work. This movie has a simple storyline excellent acting. This movie is for adults only no kids. There is a lot of violence lots of bad language lots of drugs and nutity but overall great movie.
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Teen, 13 years old
May 7, 2011
AGE
Perfect for teens who love gangster movies
I love it it is the best gangster movie I have ever seen
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Teen, 16 years old
October 31, 2010
AGE
Worth seeing at least once
Swearing is constant. Some brutal scenes. Skip the chainsaw scene if you, or your kid, is even slightly squeamish. The movie is worth seeing at least once. Tony Montana is a terrible role model, although an interesting character. He tries to leave his life of poverty behind, he wants to succeed, and also thinks he can do what he wants when he wants. Make sure your kid does not start acting like him!
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Parent of 10 and 13 year old
August 30, 2009
AGE
Al Pacino is Terrific!
I love this film, best gangster film ever made, me and my 13 year-old son saw this movie together! and we both loved it! i'm think of showing it to my 10 year-old son, but it does contain extreme acts of violence (involving a
M-16 machine gun, grenade launcher, pistols, uzis, knives, shotguns, and most of all a chainsaw) with tons of blood! There's not much Sex and Nudity, but there is one super quick scene of nudity (breasts, nipples, belly button, pubic hair, and vagina are visible in this scene) but goes by quick! and one implied sex scene, staring at women, and one extremely violent sexual scene involving a brother and sister (half of her breasts are scene, but you don't see any nipples, because they're half covered)! They're is a great amount of drugs and alcohol in this film (mostly drugs)! And to top it off a non-stop barrage of F-words throughout the film! Does have a good point though "Money, Fame, and Power will always some how lead to sadness and depression". Might want to watch this one with your kids
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Kid, 11 years old
March 6, 2010
AGE
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Teen, 13 years old
October 19, 2009
AGE
Al Pacino is truly awesome!
Really great movie! There is quite a bit of violence, and almost nonstop usage of the F-word but I think most teens can handle it.
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Teen, 13 years old
August 18, 2010
AGE
this is my fav gangster movie! this is awsome!!!!
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Teen, 17 years old
May 31, 2009
AGE
It's a favorite among teenagers. Yes there is violence/blood, cocaine dealing is one of the main plots of the film and tehre is tons of swearing. However anyone over 13 would already know about this stuff.
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Teen, 14 years old
July 1, 2010
AGE
Violence is very, very explicit and contains a very, very, very good plot.
This is one of the best movies of its time and is the most violent movie ever. The acting was top notch and being a Al Pacino fan it made the movie better. The violence is bloody, brutal and sadistic. The story was amazing and all the way until the powerhouse ending in the mansion. Who could forget the chainsaw scene, the helicopter scene or the most powerful line of all time: "Say hello to my little friend!" The message is actually pretty good. It shows how easy the human mind is vulnerable to corruption and how we can prevent it. 4 out of 5 stars, amazing but not up there with Goodfellas, The Godfather or Casino.
Cheers, Moviebuff28
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Teen, 13 years old
April 29, 2010
AGE
Mature audiences over 12
Good film, should be ok for mature 12 year olds but if immature wait to maybe 13/14 it is good a little violent main concern is drug use and language but should be ok for nature people of 12 years and plus
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| Studio: | Universal Pictures |
| Director: | Brian De Palma |
| Cast: | Al Pacino, Michelle Pfeiffer, Steven Bauer |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 170 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | December 9, 1983 |
| DVD release date: | September 30, 2003 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
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