The sequel to The Godfather parallels the young Vito Corleone's rise with his son Michael's spiritual fall, deepening The Godfather's depiction of the dark side of the American Dream. In the early 1900s, the child Vito flees his Sicilian village for America after the local Mafia kills his family. Vito struggles to make a living, legally or illegally, for his wife and growing brood in Little Italy, killing the local Black Hand Fanucci after he demands his customary cut of the tyro's business. With Fanucci gone, Vito's communal stature grows, but it is his family (past and present) who matters most to him - a familial legacy then upended by Michael's business expansion in the 1950s. Now based in Lake Tahoe, Michael conspires to make inroads in Las Vegas and Havana pleasure industries by any means necessary. As he realizes that allies like Hyman Roth are trying to kill him, the increasingly paranoid Michael also discovers that his ambition has crippled his marriage to Kay and turned his brother Fredo against him. Barely escaping a federal indictment, Michael turns his attention to dealing with his enemies, completing his own corruption.
I think I actually liked Part II better than the original Godfather which is very rare. The reason is that the plot was more complex and was actually two different stories - the rise of Vito Corleone as a kid and the subsequent rise of his son, Michael after Vito's death. This provided a great insight to how the "family" got started and flourished to become one of the top crime families in the country. I also like Al Pacino and think he did an excellent job taking over the role of Don Corleone (he is easier to understand than Marlon Brando). A lot more time passed during this film which meant they focused on many different events in time which were all dramatic or action oriented - never dull, which is a must for a 3 hour movie. Another classic film that is a must watch. I would have been satisfied if this was the last Godfather film, but they had to make one more.
Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: Yes
Starring: Al Pacino, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, Robert De Niro, John Cazale
I typically watch movies on Monday, Wednesday and Friday while riding the ACE Train from Tracy to Santa Clara. The opinions expressed are those of me, myself and I.
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