The Godfather: Part II

The Godfather II left me with negative impressions the first time I watched it and I left the screen with a feeling of emptiness. However, as you can see in the current rating, the second screening, as usual, has changed everything diametrically and I have to write a new review. Not that I really have to, but this film deserves it. Part II is like a trophy for genre lovers that we can walk around and look at every day without ever getting get tired of it. Just watching the way Al Pacino gracefully and nonchalantly performs and talks his way around, while at the same time removing inconvenient relatives without so much as a blink, is an experience in itself, and under the baton of the virtuoso Coppola, who was obviously born for this franchise and who takes his talents here to such heights that it’s simply unimaginable if you haven't seen The Godfather before. Brilliant, truly brilliant direction that maintains a perfect mafia atmosphere (I don't know how better to describe it) for the entire three hours, always mixed with the dazzling aura of Pacino's unreadable, cold-hearted but also loving personality. Only a small group of elite actors can give such a performance, and Pacino is clearly one of them. Like the first one, this is a film that was ahead of its time and that showed me the precision that the symbiosis between a great script and top-notch direction can reach. And the final scene with the look inside the eyes of the defeated winner gave me such a chill, it was like I ended up with a bullet in my head too. Bravo! (08/18/2012)

Another incredible film epic with elements of ancient tragedy, where the characters themselves compare the Corleone family to the Roman Empire. The most favorite character for me definitely becomes Tom Hagen played by Robert Duvall, and even with its shady sides, also Michael Corleone himself. His quarrel with Kay or the look in his eyes when speaking about Ola's fate are just another proof of Pacino's devilishness. (04/23/2006)

I won’t claim that The Godfather II being my 1000th review was a coincidence. It wasn’t, I intentionally saved this anticipated movie experience for this very festive moment. It wasn’t worth much, though. I don’t know whether it was because of the excessive expectations, but the film never managed to pull me into the story, and I also tended to fall asleep due to the incredible runtime. The direction and the performances are flawless, but if Coppola were to film a three-hour long, very faithful adaptation of a parliamentary session with Al Pacino and De Niro, it would also get five stars, right? The sixth place in the top feels very exaggerated to me. (12/14/2008)

Coppola made a lot of money with the first part, and it shows in the second part. A sweeping production design, hundreds and hundreds of extras, but somewhere the emotions have disappeared. Especially in the first half, the storyline with Michael Corleone is rather uninteresting. On the other hand, the memories of Vito Corleone are impressive; it is a pleasure to watch the then little-known De Niro. All my qualms were put to rest with the final act and the emotionally tense ending. The last shot of Michael Corleone's face is unforgettable, a man burdened by a heavy conscience, with wrinkles under his eyes and greying hair, a man who has gained power but lost love. (10/19/2003)

I consider it one of the best film sequels ever. The film is pure perfection. Robert De Niro was born for the role of young Vito Corleone, and Al Pacino’s expressions were so cold at times that I considered turning the heat up. The running time was over three hours, and even though it wasn’t full of frantic action, I couldn't tear myself away from the screen. A great film. (07/17/2017)