Round 1: The Matrix vs. Scarface

[The 1-2-3 Killam]

Round 1 Match: The Matrix vs. Scarface

The polls will close for this match on Friday, October 19 at 12:00am

One of these films was the first mobster movie to challenge the industry since the Godfather, the other took the modern "brains in a vat" philosophy and expanded it into a sci-fi epic. I'll give you a hint: Neo isn't a Cuban immigrant. Will the Matrix indeed by "the chosen one", or will Scarface "but off" its way to victory?
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[Shotaro]

Goddammit Killam! Why must you torture us so!

This is a legitimately tough call. In my opinion both of these films will end up being preserved but for difference reasons.

Scarface is a film you could make a case for as one of the finest gangster movies ever made.

The Matrix took its technical limitations and became a hugely important film in terms of special effects and is more about visual spectacle than the plot (which rips whole scenes from Ghost in the Shell)

It's tough; I'll wait to see what others say but I'm veering toward Scarface right now.

 

[Alex]

I'm going with The Matrix for the simple reason that it's more unique

Yeah as Shotaro said it does take several elements from Ghost In The Shell, but that was a unique film as well.

Scarface, while a very good gangster/mob film is, to be honest by the numbers. Guy starts off at the bottom works his way up, money and power cloud his judgement, he falls out with allies, thus becoming enemies and fight. Say what you will, but it's a pretty standard plot for a film.

Now I'm not saying Scarface is a bad film I'm just saying The Matrix is just as good (if not better) and has a more unique engaging storyline.

 

[Beastmode 24]

I'm taking Scarface all the way. I love the Matrix, and all the boundaries it broke with special effects, but Scarface to me is the ultimate mobster flick. Al Pacino was the perfect fit to play the role of Tony Montana, and this movie is as much of a classic today as it was when it was first made.

 

[The 1-2-3 Killam]

This is relevant for about 30 seconds at the end:

[YOUTUBE]GI6CfKcMhjY[/YOUTUBE]

Scarface is a great film. You have to respect (if not, love) Al Pacino and Michelle Pfeiffer. Brian De Palma is one of the better directors in the genre, if you open it up a little (Carlito's Way, anyone?). That beign said, I think I watched it and The Godfather for the first time within the same week - this was probably around 2004-05, and at least for me the decision wasn't even close. I hate to label a film by what it is not, but it is certainly not The Godfather.

The first time I saw the Matrix, like most people I imagine, it blew my mind. I wasn't even 40% sure I knew what I had just watched Looking back on it, I'll admit that some of the acting isn't great; some is just downright bad. I still think Carrie-Anne Moss was a terrible, terrible casting decision and probably the least impressive thing about the series. You know, except the whole third movie. I'm not a fan of using overly attractive women in blockbuster action films, because they usually suck and aren't worth it. But Trinity's un-attractiveness was more distracting than anything else in the movie.

That being said, if pressed to vote now I'd still go with the Matrix. This is probably debatable, but I think it was way more of a creative achievement than Scarface. It was impressive enough that they managed to pull the concept off without making another Primer.

 

[Alastor]

Matrix all the way for me for introducing bullet time to the world which is abused in action movies and parodied by everyone ever since.

 

[D-Man]

Scarface, and it's not even close.

Look, I LOVED the Matrix series. It was truly unique and came out at a perfect time. But Scarface is one of the most iconic gangster movies ever created. Say what you will about its plotlines, acting, being "overrated" and its "cheese" factor... to this very day, people still have posters of Tony Montana on their walls and use lines and situations from this movie in their pop culture. Plus, it was just a better movie than the Matrix.

True fact about the Matrix: When I first saw it in theaters, I almost walked out. That is, until Neo took the pill. Then the movie finally grabbed me.

Scarface, on the other hand, had me glued to the set from the get-go.

Scarface for the win.

 

[jmt225]

Scarface is an awesome film that has gotten a bad wrap since that shitty MTV show Cribs started and every shitty rapper ever on there showed off their Scarface DVD. It made the film way too glamorized, whereas before then it could have been considered a cult classic, which is what it should be. The fact is though, Scarface is one of the greatest gangster films ever made, period.

The Matrix, on the other hand, is one of the greatest Sci-Fi films ever made itself. Hell, it's one of the greatest action films as well, if you want to put it in that category. It's mysterious, exciting, and compelling all the way throughout. Did the crappy sequels bring down the original? Not for me personally it didn't, so I can't use them as an excuse here to vote for Scarface.

To me, it's much harder to make a truly great Sci-Fi and action flick than it is to make a great gangster film, which is why The Matrix gets my vote here. As far as which film I like the most... they're pretty much tied. Both are definitely in my top 25 favorite films of all time. But, I have to give the edge to The Matrix since in the grand scheme of things, I think it has much more to offer than a film like Scarface. Scarface is pure entertainment, but not much more more. The Matrix is also great entertainment, but also thought provoking and absolutely compelling.

 

[Poop Master Flex]

Scarface by a mile.

Nothing against the Matrix but for myself the Matrix hasn't exactly aged well. Every time I see it I like it a little less. Scarface however is the opposite, every time I watch it I liked it a little more. I think everything in Scarface is better, the acting, the story, the structure, the beginning, middle and ending, I just think its a superior movie.

I turned on both movies last month, The Matrix I watched and turned it off after an hour, Scarface I watched it, then I watched it again. I love gangster movies and Scarface isn't even one of my favorites, but in comparison to The Matrix however, it leaves it in the dust.

 

[IHW]

Both movies have left a impression on people since their arrivals. The epic Matrix movie series has a lasting impression in my head. And Scarface, the poster itself I have seen on numerous people's walls and even framed in man caves. Both movies are great and deserve to make it to the next round, but only one can.

I say that one should be Scarface that advances. Its more entertaining and easier to follow.

 

[Loveless]

Scarface is a trashy, horrible film that gets by on the "cool" factor. It is however a complete story, and therein rests my biggest problem with The Matrix.
Had The Matrix been a standalone film with a proper ending, instead of Part 1 of what turned into... well I don't even know what you'd call it, this would be the easiest of choices. As is I'll take The Matrix on entertainment, ideas & (unrealised) potential.

 

[Dowdsy McDowds]

The Matrix edges this for me.

As much as the follow-up films tried their hardest to advance the mythology that the Wachowskis had created, they just couldn't match the brilliance of the first. Such subtleties as a character referring to Neo as "copper-top" and his boss baring a stark resemblance to Agent Smith. Do subtleties make a film great? No, but add them on to the brilliant effects work of the action/training scenes and they make a hell of a film that raised the bar in both the action and sci-fi genres.

Scarface is still a great film, anchored by Pacino's great performance and iconic soundtrack. To me, his little friend is just no match for Morpheus freeing Neo's mind and the introduction of bullet-time.

 

[D-Man]

This is really bothering me. I can't believe the Matrix is actually winning in this round.

Guys, come on... please don't vote for the Matrix based on the fact that you may be able to relate to it more. Scarface is just a better movie. It's iconic... timeless... uber-popular. It's everything that this tournament is all about. Once the Matrix made its third, abysmal movie of the series, the entire trilogy was swept under the carpet. Scarface, to this day, has never died.

Scarface will be a classic forever while Matrix will only be supported by its new wave fandom. Scarface NEED to win here.

 

[Alastor]

Both are equally iconic movies of their time with cult following and generated controversy with the stylised violence. I would argue the Matrix will have a bigger legacy in how it brought about a new standard to the industry by combining wire work with CGI for action sequences. Almost every big budget action movie after the Matrix has used some form of action sequence that was made popular by it.

And why can't people vote on movies that they relate to more and like more? I don't really see Scarface as having that big an edge over the Matrix, so the deciding factor would be which movie would I enjoy more and the Matrix win in that department.

 

[Alex]

This is really bothering me. I can't believe the Matrix is actually winning in this round.

Guys, come on... please don't vote for the Matrix based on the fact that you may be able to relate to it more. Scarface is just a better movie. It's iconic... timeless... uber-popular. It's everything that this tournament is all about. Once the Matrix made its third, abysmal movie of the series, the entire trilogy was swept under the carpet. Scarface, to this day, has never died.

Scarface will be a classic forever while Matrix will only be supported by its new wave fandom. Scarface NEED to win here.

But D-Man, that's like asking me to like Ryback just because he's face and fighting CM Punk.

I understand Scarface is an iconic and legendary film and one of the best gangster films ever, its just I prefer The Matrix, which itself is an iconic movie.

I also understand the sequels left a bad taste in people's mouth (including yours) but if you were to wipe the sequels from existence would you look on it the same way you do now???

 

[Mitch Henessey]

Star Wars' fans can (and will) bitch about the prequels until the end of time, but The Empire Strikes Back and Return Of The Jedi followed the 1977 original. The Empire Strikes Back is widely regarded as one of (if not the most) best sequels of all-time, and Return Of The Jedi is a very satisfying conclusion to the saga.

But The Matrix doesn't have the luxury of two high quality sequels. Reloaded is okay at best, and Revolutions was a terrible, terrible finale. Like it or not, both disappointing sequels devalue the prestige of the original film.

Al Pacino delivered a great and memorable performance in Scarface, and he's a better leading man than Keanu Reeves, it's not even close. Scarface has stood the test of time, and Scarface's exploded over the years. It's quotable, iconic, and Scarface counties to receive praise as one of the best gangster films ever. When discussing The Matrix, you're always going to run into that "the original was awesome, but the sequels...." roadblock, it's unavoidable.

 

[Ming]

For me this is the best round one fixture. In The Matrix you have one of the greatest action/sci-fi films ever and in Scarface you have one of the greatest crime/gangster films ever. I love both films but people are right when they say the Matrix sequels detract from the first and have severely damaged it's legacy, which is why I voted for Scarface. It's quite amazing that Scarface's popularity lasted as long as it has, especially when you look at all the great gangster films that have come out since like; The Departed, American Gangster, Goodfellas (the best ever for me) and Pulp Fiction. I'm probably forgetting a few, but Scarface has withstood the test of time, and grown. The Matrix has dwindled, admittedly because of the sequels but still, Scarface wins. Let's not forget that Scarface has created arguably the most known film quote of all time;

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Sorry about that, I could not resist.

Scarface wins.