Is a question asked a lot... I mean we shouldn't like someone who usually has done some very untoward things, but we do! In the following I'm going to review some films which really hit home on this.
I'm starting with my personal favourite 'Bad Guy' Snake Plissken played by Kurt Russell in the cult classic Escape from New York (1981). 'Snake' epitomises all things bad. I mean this guy is a bank robbing, murdering rapist. Yet you cant help but love him, John Carpenter who directs this futuristic dystopia look at New York, even said that he is shocked by the love for this character.
The plot; after being captured for a bank robbery (the special edition includes the unseen robbery) 'snake' is told he will be pardoned for his very long list of crimes. All he has to do is go into New York (now the only maximum security prison in America, which once you enter you don't ever leave) to save the president, who crashed landed there. What ensues is a battle for survival as 'Snake' searches New York and meets several unsavoury characters. Worth a mention is Isaac Hayes as the The Duke and though a good guy (term used loosely) Lee Van Cleef as Hauk who is very cool as always.
This movie is a must see, I am a massive John Carpenter fan myself. I truly appreciate his take on violent and often realistic futures. In closing if you haven't seen many John Carpenter films, this is a great starting point.
8 out of 10
Next up is Henry Hill played by Ray Liotta in Goodfellas(1990) 'ever since I can remember, I always wanted to be a gangster' and he definitely brings the cool to the party in his portrayal of this hood. I think Ray Liotta has been a little unlucky not to have made bigger moves in Hollywood and has been a little over looked. You almost believe he was made for this role though, start to finish he doesn't put a foot wrong and has some great lines. A real class act! You also get a Stella cast with this movie, this includes Robert De Niro as James Conway and Joe Pesci as Tommy DeVito. Loosely based on the biopic of 'Mr Hill' the film shows his rise through the Hierarchy of 'the family'. A great story directed by the one and only Martin Scorsese. If you haven't seen Goodfellas sort it out! This is one of my favourite gangster classics.
9 out of 10
Finally no list is complete without Al Pacino, in this case as Tony Montana in Scarface (1983) this film takes place in 1980's Miami. Tony Montana a Cuban refugee, takes over a drug cartel and succumbs to greed. Tony is cool, humorous and ruthless throughout. He stays honest to his values, always getting what he wants with force and that is why you have to love him. One to own on any movie shelf. Al Pacino is at his best in this picture. I can't imagine anyone doing this role the justice he does. Directed by Brian De Palma this gritty, slick and uber violent crime drama is as near perfect as you can get.
10 out of 10
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