On G List of Movie Reviews

(For optimum viewing, adjust the zoom level of your browser to 125%.)


The Godfather Part II (1974)

Rate: 10
Viewed: 7/04, 7/05, 12/07, 12/12, 12/17, 2/25

Gfath2
7/05: The Godfather Part II has some loose ends and underdeveloped relationships, most especially when it come to Michael Corleone and his wife.

The Mafia investigation needs to be amplified more, but although it started in 1959 with Joe Valachi, the investigation wouldn't have been effective until the 80's when the RICO Act became the most powerful weapon which finally put many gangsters away for life.

As long as the movie is, the back-and-forth between Vito Corleone's upbringing and Michael Corleone's empire is tiresome. Ditto with many characters who come in and out. Robert De Niro is okay, but his Italian mannerisms feel feigned. Al Pacino's performance is the best thing going by making Michael Corleone an interesting character.

All in all, I prefer the original over The Godfather Part II for the acting, story, dialogue, and classic scenes although the second part has plenty of it in each department which is far more than most films.

12/07: The Godfather Part II is a great example of how a film can have impressive cinematography yet is average in everything else.

If there's anything bad to say, it's the running length which is 200 minutes. That's too long, inflicting a toll on my eyes. Only if I could care about the characters, maybe the length wouldn't bother me, but I just didn't. Drenched in fake Italian mannerisms, Robert De Niro's Oscar-winning performance is ordinary. The transformation of Al Pacino's character is rather impressive. Robert Duvall does a better job this time despite not having much to work with. John Cazale is memorable as Fredo the Fuck-Up.

The story is plain and doesn't do enough to wow me. That's why the dark rich cinematography has overshadowed the deficiencies, making the film better than it actually is. My problem with the back-and-forth between Vito Corleone's upbringing and Michael Corleone's business dealings is that it, although absorbing in its own way, would be quickly cut off before switching over. So, I keep forgetting The Godfather Part II features two parallel threads. Hence, the sequel should've been broken down into two films; better yet, break the franchise into four: Vito Corleone's childhood, Vito Corleone, Michael Corleone, and the Corleone family business.

All in all, The Godfather Part II is too long.

12/12: The Godfather Part II is still an overrated picture, but it's now back on my Best Film list.

12/17: Nope, I'm going to take The Godfather Part II off my Best Films list.

The movie is too long. In fact, it should've been split into two pictures. The acting is impeccable. Al Pacino is just marvelous, and Robert De Niro isn't bad. John Cazale is more famous in this part than the other one. Because of the cinematography for the trilogy, Gordon Willis has earned his moniker: The Prince of Darkness. Apart from the acting, I paid more attention to the degrees of black, which is often heavy, throughout many scenes; it's an impressive job indeed.

What bothers me is how Clemenza and Tessio were portrayed. Then I have to go back to the original and be mystified about how they're not important in the grand scheme of things given their origins. Also, what's that all about with Michael Corleone and Tom Hagen? I don't care about Diane Keaton's character, having found it puzzling why Michael Corleone didn't marry a true Italian woman again.

By the way, Morgana King was too young to play Mama Corleone; they should've aged her to make the character more believable. Gastone Moschin, who plays Don Fanucci, deserved to be Oscar-nominated, not Michael V. Gazzo for the role of Frankie Pentangeli.

All in all, The Godfather Part II is too long.

2/25: Long, long, long but well-made.