Thursday, June 02, 2022
The Godfather II
- Commentary: For years, ever since I've owned The Godfather, I've wanted to own the trilogy. This part, of course, rivals the original. It has a different style, a different mood, a different feel, but it's great. I don't think I need to say anything else. I'm sure you know why I'm the proud owner of this trilogy.
Once again, no surprise, to me, anyway, Roger Ebert christened this movie as one of his Great Movies.
Update 8/17/2016: Last night I watched this movie after having watched The Godfather on the previous night. Although I continue to enjoy this one and was thoroughly involved, I realized that, to me, The Godfather is a far superior movie. It's so tight nothing leaks. It is complete in and of itself, while The Godfather II (and The Godfather III, for that matter) demand that you watch the one or two parts previous to get everything. Additionally, they both contain extraneous scenarios that aren't really needed, even though they're interesting. When The Godfather ends you do not wonder what happens to Michael Corleone and everyone else, you "know". You don't wonder about anything at the end of the original, not even individual character biography. Granted, the Vito Corleone biography contained in The Godfather II is interesting and illuminating, but if the trilogy had not become a trilogy parts II and III would not be missed. Neither of the other two is necessary to be overwhelmed by the saga of The Godfather. To be overwhelmed by either Part II or Part III, the original is necessary. This is what makes The Godfather the superior film in the trilogy.
Update 8/12/2021: And of course, somebody disagrees with me. Gerardo Valero, one of Ebert's site "far flunger" correspondents, has posted this argument as to why Part II is the best of the trilogy.
Update 6/2/2022: This post was originally published on 8/14/16 but disappeared from public view. I am now reinstating it.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Al Pacino Michael Corleone Robert Duvall Tom Hagen Diane Keaton Kay Adams-Corleone Robert De Niro Vito Corleone John Cazale Fredo Corleone Talia Shire Connie Corleone Lee Strasberg Hyman Roth Michael V. Gazzo Frank Pentangeli G. D. Spradlin Sen. Pat Geary Richard Bright Al Neri Gastone Moschin Don Fanucci Bruno Kirby Peter Clemenza Morgana King Carmela Corleone Troy Donahue Merle Johnson Joe Spinell Willi Cicci Abe Vigoda Salvatore Tessio John Aprea Young Tessio Harry Dean Stanton FBI Agent Danny Aiello Tony Rosato Dominic Chianese Johnny Ola
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1974
Directed by Francis Ford Coppola.
Labels: action1, al-pacino, diane-keaton, drama5, gang-movie, harry-dean-stanton, period2, revenge1, robert-de-niro, robert-duvall, violence2
