Scarface Gold Edition (UHD Blu-ray) review

[David Vaughn]

Studio: Universal
Release Date: October 15, 2019
Rating: R
Film: 4/5
 
Plot
In the spring of 1980, the port of Mariel harbor was opened, and thousands set sail for the United States. They came in search of the American Dream. One of them found it on the sun-washed avenues of Miami…wealth, power and passion beyond his wildest dreams. He was Tony Montana. Th world will remember him by another name…Scarface.
 
My Thoughts
Director Brian de Palma loves his gangster films and while this film is much too violent for my tastes, I do give it credit for being quite good. On this project, de Palma collaborated with Oliver Stone and the pair were able to attract a fabulous cast including Al Pacino, Michelle Pfeiffer, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Robert Loggia and Steven Bauer. The film was nominated for three Golden Globes and was named one of the Top 10 Gangster Films of All Time by the AFI.
 
For the most part, the film holds up pretty well today although at nearly three hours long, it’s a commitment to sit down and watch it. Furthermore, it’s one of those films you want to jump in the shower after watching because you feel so dirty from the people you’ve been watching throughout the night. One problem I have with the film is that Montana is extremely hard to like. In fact, you’re rooting for him to take a bullet in virtually every scene. I guess that was Stone’s intent and I have to hand it to him for delivering some great lines to the actors, particularly Pacino.  
 
Video 8.5/10
 
Audio 8.5/10 (DTS:X)
 
Special Features:
 

• Scarface: 35^th Anniversary Reunion
• Deleted Scenes
• The Scarface Phenomenon
• The World of Tony Montana
• The Rebirth
• The Acting
• The Creating
• Scarface: The TV Version

 
 

 
 
Conclusion
Although we are two months from Christmas, rewatching this film has put me in the holiday spirit and its time to take out some of our other old classics and add them to the viewing queue. The 4K restoration is outstanding and the addition of new supplements is a nice touch.
 
 

Reference Review System:
 JVC DLA-RS2000 4K Ultra High Definition Front Projector
 (Calibrated with Portrait Displays CalMAN color calibration software & C6-HDR Meter from Portrait Displays)
 Stewart Filmscreen - Firehawk 88” 16x9 Fixed Screen
 Anthem AVM60 Audio/Video Processor 
 ATI AT527NC Powering Bed ChannelsATI AT524NC Powering Atmos Speakers
 Panasonic DP-UB820 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player 
 System Controller: URC MX-980M&K S-150 THX Ultra (R-C-L Speakers)M&K SS-150 x4 (Surround Speakers)
 Atlantic Technology IC6-OBA x 4 Overhead Speakers
 SVS PC-Ultra Cylinder Subwoofer
 HSU VTF-15H MK2 Subwoofer
 SVS SB-3000 SubwooferJL Audio Dominion D110 Subwoofer x 2 (configured as tandem mid bass modules)Mini DSP controlling all subwoofers
 Audioquest and Monoprice - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
 PureAV PF60 Power Conditioner