LHG-3

This is a well executed, but nonetheless extremely overrated movie. I do not see what warrants a status as a classic there. Certainly, the later Carlito's Way is much better in many ways. The characters are poorly developed and one dimensional. The story is not interesting and as predictable as it gets. I understand that some aspects of Scarface must have been somewhat groundbreaking at the time, but I still suspect that much of its success is due to the hyping of its violence. The acting is so-so, and Pacino is miscast as an unsophisticated thug and refugee. The only redeeming value of this movie is its classic, kitshy disco soundtrack. There has to be better latino mob movies. Carlito's Way is one for sure.

I strongly believe in the technology and cinematographical era that this movie pioneers : using CGI not as a style of animation, but as a substitution for live filming. However, the story and dialogs are so bad as to make this movie un-watchable. It is a shame that the credibility of the technologies that this movie was supposed to promote will be questionned because of this commercial flop, mainly due to a stupid scenario.

This movie was a huge, but undeserved commercial failure. While not flawless, it it still a very audacious, innovative, slick piece of cinematography. The story is solid, the visuals are stunningly innovative and the special effects are good. The crime that this movie was charged with is not very new, though : it bears the name of the TV series Vidocq, which were more realistic, semi-historical fictions about that character from the early XIXth century who has been a precursor in investigative police. I don't know why producers keep accepting TV series adaptation, which are all doomed to fail on the big screen. Anyway, I just hope that Pitof will have the opportunity and the will to carry out his talent.