The excessive graphic violence, the nearly three hour running time, the non stop profanity, the gaudy lifestyle, and Al Pacino's overacting and exaggerated Cuban accent have often been targeted as flaws of the movie. However, when seen as a whole, the purpose of these elements is to create a surreal atmosphere. John A. Alonzo's beautiful camera work suggests a "larger than life" epic adventure. The eighties was a decade of excess. It was the decade that introduced us to such staples of American culture as cocaine, money, and fast-paced lives.
Montana enters Miami's underworld with a lust for power and material wealth that we witness more in awe than in empathy. Montana begins to become ambitious, and to covet the things he sees Loggia (his boss) enjoying, including his luscious wife, Elvira (Michelle Pfeiffer). He begins to imagine himself invulnerable and above all others. This arrogance is symbolized by the brash neon sign he installs in his foyer, reading "The World is Yours." This was the message Montana sees at the beginning of the film on the blimp, one that galvanizes Montana into his mission of obtaining wealth and power. This saying can also be found in the original 1932 version of Scarface (Internet Movie Database).
Montana's approach to the American dream is simple; the end justifies the means. He is a living embodiment of greed, excess, and over-ambition. Montana does not meet a grisly fate in the films finale simply because he is a criminal or a "villain", but because his quest for materialism and desire for power completely undermines and supercedes his ability to love and trust others. "Who put this thing together? Me, that's who! Who do I trust? Me!" (Scarface). This is a common theme depicted throughout the film, ultimately the cause of his demise.
Although Montana is from Cuba, he is often viewed to be representative of Latin Americans in general. We do distinguish a difference between the Latin American countries once Montana makes clear his feelings about Columbians.