The Godfather Part II

Review: Taking a decidedly different tone then the first one, The Godfather Part II, is a parallel story of Vito Corleone's formation of the family and Michael Corleone's current leadership of the family. In the first film there was a sense of royalty among the family. Despite the fact they were in illegal businesses the family, for the most part, conducted themselves in such a way that they could be well liked, and above that, nothing was more important then family. In Part II it is clear a new era has come to the family. Where traditional Italian songs and traditions were carried out during the parties in the first film, this film there isn't an Italian in the band. Michael is far less rooted in his Italian past then Vito was. While Michael may be as intelligent as his father, he doesn't posses the same presence and certainly doesn't have the same values. He doesn't put family above all and isn't willing to trust even his closest friends. As a result, while the business might do well, his personal life slowly unravels. While the tone of the two films differ significantly, the theme is still the same. While a gangster film The Godfather Part II is still about family, with struggles that we the audience, who aren't in the mob, can identify with. So often a great films sequel squanders some of first film's greatness by not being able to live up to the expectations set by the first film. The Godfather Part II is not that kind of sequel. Part II lives up to the first film and is a must watch if you enjoyed the fist film.
Rating: 4/5