I'll begin with Al. After his role as Michael Corleone in the Godfather saga and his work in Heat, I think this is his next greatest role -- better than Sea of Love, Dog Day Afternoon, Scent of a Woman, and The Insider. Some people say he's too over the top as Tony Montana, but I disagree; it was Tony Montana that was over-the-top, and Pacino was just playing him as he was written by Oliver Stone. He was ferociousness unhinged as the ruthless, cocaine-fueled Cuban immigrant intent on becoming rich and powerful by any means necessary, sincerely comparable to only Joe Pesci in Goodfellas in his viciousness.After Al, it was director Brian DePalma's (then) extreme, in-your-face violence that ingrained the film into your memory and made seeing it a visceral, Jaws-like experience. The shootout at the end in particular was exceptionally well done, while the chainsaw sequence was simply an eye-popping terror. It's easily the finest film of Brian DePalma's career, in my opinion. Michelle Pfieffer co-stars as the movie's requisite, exquisite babe.
