Review of The Godfather Part II (1974) by Brian K — 13 Apr 2013

Remarkable. Sensational. An epic the likes of which we'll never see again. Since I added 'The Godfather' to my Great Movies list, it's only fair that I add 'The Godfather: Part II', because - after all - it is a better movie. And that's saying a lot.

'The Godfather: Part II' is everything the first film is not. The first film is a Hollywood motion picture to the umph degree. The story structure is the basic three act structure. The second film is contemporary and sporadic. The story chaotically swings one way, and then another. It is suspenseful and imaginative, and damn good filmmaking.

Michael is now the Don, with Fredo and Tom as his only brothers left. Trying to rack up more political power in Nevada, they're new location, Michael makes enemies fast. The only question: Who is the enemy? It could be a number of people: Hymon Roth - Vito's old business buddy, who may be trying to cut Michael out of the business deal in Cuba. Frankie - The head of the Clamenza family. Frankie is angry at Michael for doing business with his enemies, the Rosatta Brothers. Along the way, more and more suspects, yet the actual link is a surprise to both us and Michael.

It is interesting that we discover the foe at the midpoint of the film. Through the second of the movie, we see Michael's world falling apart in front of his eyes. All this playing against a second story: The past life of Vito Corleone. It is interesting that Michael makes many of the same choices that his father makes. But, as Michael says, "Times are changing." Indeed, they are. Vito lives in prosperity with his wife and children for the rest of his life, while Michael loses everything he loves.

Of course, the other obvious difference is the production value, which is much more gratuitous. Every inch of the frame in every shot is filled with beautiful images. Extras by the thousands, massive sets, incredible costumes. But, the movie wisely doesn't over produce. The streets are still dirty, and the windows have fingerprints. The camera operation is widely enhanced, and again, more contemporary than its predecessor. Copolla focuses more on abstract shots, while maintaining the epic spirit of the first film.

On the whole, the story is simply more engulfing. The relationship between Kay and Michael is the greatest screen relationship of all time. It's the only thing that saved 'The Godfather: Part III". I wish there were more scenes between them in this film. The sequence where Kay reveals the truth about a certain accident is both shocking and intriguing. Diane Keaton; what happened to her? She used to do movies like this! Now she does films like, "Because I Said So". How did this happen? Please, Diane Keaton, do more films like this! Same goes for Al Pacino and Robert DeNiro, both of whom do great in this movie. You do a film like 'The Godfather: Part II' and then start taking roles in trite like 'Righteous Kill'?

I can't recommend the film enough. It's beautiful, and the score is breathtaking. What an influencial movie. Probably, I'd say, one of the most important movies ever made, not just for what it did for the film industry, but for what it accomplished in popular culture and political influence. How truly wonderful to witness a part of history. 'The Godfather: Part II' is a relic, a holy artifact that will live on in the same light as The Mona Lisa.