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The Godfather, which I consider to be my favorite movie, was nearly topped with The Godfather: Part II, the sequel to Francis Ford Coppola's 1972 drama. While The Godfather is undeniably brilliant, its sequel pushes the boundaries even further. Everything that the original got right, its sequel takes advantage of - and it doesn't forget where it comes from. In fact, it embraces its roots, and rather than improve upon the first film, it seamlessly continues the story, as if The Godfather and The Godfather: Part II are the same movie. As a result, things have a strange sense of authenticity.
Out of all the films i have seen, there are only a handful of moments that I can call "real." What I mean by "real" is that at that particular part in the film - for about 10 or 15 seconds - things transcend the screen and boundaries of the film. One such example can be found within The Godfather: Part II. I am referring to a specific scene near the beginning of the film, when a young Vito Corleone sails his way to America.
Those on the boat stand and look at the beauty of the approaching Statue of Liberty. The music really kicks in at this point and it's just something to behold. Which brings me to Rota's musical score. It's just as incredible as the last time around. The score really brings out not only the mix of feelings brought about from the first film, but there's also an extra layer added here that seems to play along with Michael's actions as the movie progresses.
The acting, of course, is brilliant, as it was in the first film. This time, however, we see the addition of Robert De Niro, playing a young Vito Corleone growing up in New York City. For the brief amount of screentime he has, De Niro does wonders. Al Pacino delivers again, and some of the characters that were present, but not as involved, in the story of the first film make more appearances here, bringing in some strong character development.
The Godfather: Part II jumps back and forth between the past and the present, detailing both the rise of Vito Corleone, and the continuing saga of his son Michael's control over the family. It shouldn't have worked. On paper the idea seems rather questionable and almost too involving, especially for a sequel. But Coppola works his magic, and The Godfather: Part II is just as solid as the original, forming a timeless tale of organized crime.
The Godfather: Part II (1974)
Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Starring: Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Robert Duvall
Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Starring: Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Robert Duvall
The Godfather, which I consider to be my favorite movie, was nearly topped with The Godfather: Part II, the sequel to Francis Ford Coppola's 1972 drama. While The Godfather is undeniably brilliant, its sequel pushes the boundaries even further. Everything that the original got right, its sequel takes advantage of - and it doesn't forget where it comes from. In fact, it embraces its roots, and rather than improve upon the first film, it seamlessly continues the story, as if The Godfather and The Godfather: Part II are the same movie. As a result, things have a strange sense of authenticity.
Out of all the films i have seen, there are only a handful of moments that I can call "real." What I mean by "real" is that at that particular part in the film - for about 10 or 15 seconds - things transcend the screen and boundaries of the film. One such example can be found within The Godfather: Part II. I am referring to a specific scene near the beginning of the film, when a young Vito Corleone sails his way to America.
Those on the boat stand and look at the beauty of the approaching Statue of Liberty. The music really kicks in at this point and it's just something to behold. Which brings me to Rota's musical score. It's just as incredible as the last time around. The score really brings out not only the mix of feelings brought about from the first film, but there's also an extra layer added here that seems to play along with Michael's actions as the movie progresses.
The acting, of course, is brilliant, as it was in the first film. This time, however, we see the addition of Robert De Niro, playing a young Vito Corleone growing up in New York City. For the brief amount of screentime he has, De Niro does wonders. Al Pacino delivers again, and some of the characters that were present, but not as involved, in the story of the first film make more appearances here, bringing in some strong character development.
The Godfather: Part II jumps back and forth between the past and the present, detailing both the rise of Vito Corleone, and the continuing saga of his son Michael's control over the family. It shouldn't have worked. On paper the idea seems rather questionable and almost too involving, especially for a sequel. But Coppola works his magic, and The Godfather: Part II is just as solid as the original, forming a timeless tale of organized crime.