The Godfather Part II

Review: Taking a decidedly different tone then the first chapter, '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 made them well liked, and above that, nothing was more important to them then family. In Part II it is clear a new era has come to the family. Where traditional Italian songs and traditions were the backdrop for the first film, in this film there isn't an Italian to be found in the band. Michael is far less rooted in his Italian past then Vito, and it shows the state of the changing mafia.

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 else and isn't willing to trust even his closest friends. As a result, while the business might do well, his personal life slowly unravels. The tones of the two films may differ significantly but the theme is still the same. While a gangster film at it's coreby genre, 'Part II' is still about family at its core. Although we might not be part of a crime family, we can identify with the family struggles that are at its root.

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 it. '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