The Godfather Part II

I had seen The Godfather twice before re-watching it a few weeks ago. I think I had only seen the second part once so my memory of it was much more limited. I had forgotten how much more restrained it is compared to the first part. Sure there is a lot of violence but the suspense level is much lower. But who needs suspense when you have a character study as incredible as this one?

Pacino is unbelievably great in this and I don't even like him all that much. Every scene he's in is terrifying. That dude is intense. I love so many moments in this film. I love the court scenes. I love the scenes of the crumbling marriage of Pacino and Keaton. That last scene between the two of them where he closes the door in her face without saying a word was nuts. And right after her son refused to even kiss her goodbye! Damn!

I haven't even gotten into how great De Niro is as the young Brando. I love the Sicily scenes, the Ellis Island scenes, and the Lower East Side ones as well.

The colors are even more vibrant in this than the first film. And there's another stellar wedding scene to start the film.

And poor poor stupid Fredo.

As great as this film as, I'd still have to give a nod to the first one as being a bit better if no other reason, there's no Brando in this one. Still as sequels go, this is easily in the top five (if not higher) of all time.

Directed by Francis Ford Coppola
1974
Blu-ray