Now, don't misunderstand me. I know he came from Cuba and grew up dirt poor, so wanting a better life was top priority by any means necessary. I get that part. I grew up less fortunate than others. Tony may have made millions, but he was brutally murdered in the end. That would be more than enough reason to ask myself "Is having money and power really worth my life?" There's only one answer to that question in my opinion...hell no.
Because they strive to be real Gangsters like White Men instead of just common street trash and they see a Cuban Immigrant doing it so it gives them hope. Deep down they really want to be the Gangster from Home Alone "Keep the change ya filthy animal"
shareIt is for this reason that I think De Palma made a mistake with the ending. The final scene is a bloodbath, shot like a cool action sequence. It ends with the ironic shot (The World is Yours), but that is a weak message after showing how "cool" Tony is in his last minutes.
In my opinion (and what do I know, I'm no De Palma), the film should have ended with Tony's sister dying, then showing Tony as a blubbering, slobbering wreck - having lost all friends, family, and worthwhile aspects to his life - getting gunned down by the assassins. No blaze of glory. No cool shootout. Just a whimpering, pathetic mess with nothing gained for his foolish pursuit of selfish, base gain.
With the ending as it is, it allows Tony to look "cool" in his final moments and prevent the greater messages of the film from sinking in.
I 100% disagree, the ending was the epic blowout it should have been. It was not glorifying Tony one bit because A) He's still dead and B) Everyone still hates him.
Thugs and Rappers clearly don't understand the theme of this film and it's quite odd because this film is rather straightforward.
The ending was epic, and I think it's a great scene. I also think it's a good ending for the movie, or even a great one, but just not quite perfect, because it runs counter to the message of the film which is otherwise held-up. I don't think De Palma intended it to glorify Tony's behaviour, but he made him look cool, and that undermined his story a bit. Just a bit, mind you.
Thugs and rappers don't understand the theme of the film partly because of the ending and the epic blowout; that's my point.
Exactly the thugs and rappers not understanding the movie is their fault not Brian DePalmas
shareI think it's mostly their fault, but I think De Palma muddied up the message by providing this "cool" shootout scene so he could go out in a manner that was iconic and which was filled with the kind of actions and imagery normally used for heroes. Visually, and in terms of atmosphere, De Palma gave Tony a hero's sendoff, which undercuts the messaging of the picture.
shareWhy? Because they’re stupid, obviously.
shareI think you’re a shade brighter than the rappers and thugs you’re referring to.
sharei think it's mostly cause he had guns, drugs and women.
and talked like he didn't give a shit. he was a true BADASS.
I saw this being discussed in a documentary. It has something to do with how hip/hop and rappers can relate to Tony's story. The previous poster 'ecarle' pretty much summed it up.
I suppose there are other reasons too. Like black people came over on a boat like Tony, lived in poor "caged" conditions like Tony, eventually had to fight/kill to become American citizens like Tony, then probably worked a garbage job for a while like Tony, got involved in dealing dope like some black people have, again... like Tony. etc...etc...
So, they see a lot of symbolism in the movie which makes Tony Montana a relatable character. What I find odd is how long it took for the hip/hop culture to embrace this film. I mean, it came out back in the 80s and I don't remember any rappers embracing the movie back then. It wasn't until the last 10-15 years that I recall this and it's given the movie a resurgence. And since this is still one of my favorite gang-banger films, I say that's fine with me. After all these years, its still a fun movie to watch.
I just read the end of your post. It's been way past the last 10-15 years. One of the best rappers and producers ever literally took the name "Scarface" as member of the Geto Boys and gained fame in 1989. Raekwon of Wu-Tang Clan released "Incarcerated Scarfaces" in 1995. The LOX released Money, Power, Respect in January 1998. Biggie referenced Scarface a lot. Nas too. There's endless references from 90s rappers.
shareAlright, I just don't remember it back then but okay....
shareGrowing up in the hood you don't ever envision living to 30. You grow up idolizing the biggest dealers who have money, power, respect. They have flashy clothes, flashy cars, jewelry, etc. Meanwhile you're usually living bummy while your mom collects welfare or struggles with a job. You see dealing as a way you can almost get out of the hood and stack lots of paper. A lot of rappers funded their rap career with drug money, like Eazy-E with Ruthless Records as an example. That's hardly the only one.
Tony was the kingpin, all that money and power. He started out at the bottom and rose to the top. There were people with more power and muscle than him in the world but he was still a key player at the top of the food chain in ways.
So this is all why he's revered by rappers or kids in the hood.