★★★★ The Godfather, Part II
[Gino: 4.0]
I saw "The Godfather, Part I" before I started archiving the movie reviews, and didn't remember being very impressed. My impression is I would have given it 3 stars. Different story with Part II: to be honest, 4 stars is probably shortchanging this film. But I have a hard time giving more than that to films I don't need to see again.
The scope was so large and the web of characters so complex that I was pretty confused at times. Perhaps because I had to watch it in 3 viewings. But the complexity, intricate and ambitious sets and locations, and very natural-looking lighting, combined with the very unrushed pace, gave this film a very realistic feel to it. In a way not terribly plot-driven, and yet the many twist still took me off guard, and it was absorbing as a whole. I found the highly non-linear storytelling refreshing, and it must have been all the more so in 1974 when this I believe won Best Picture. And I am impressed how Pacino's Michael can be a very flawed, ruthless, and tragic character, yet still almost inexplicably, you still want to be in his corner.
I suppose you've all seen this anyway, but there are my impressions.
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4 comments:
I think you are shortchanging both films a little bit. But I will agree with you that part 2 is the better film. FYI, there is no need to see #3.
But is 3 really THAT bad, or is it just a normal movie? Don't you think it was just a disappointment after the first 2 or is is THAT bad?
I saw these (1&2) a long time ago and was underwhelmed so I didn't even bother with #3, but maybe I should try again.
FYI, an interesting, if slightly overloaded with the kind of verbiage we saw a lot of in college, piece in the most recent New Yorker on non-chronological film narrative:
http://www.newyorker.com/critics/atlarge/articles/070305crat_atlarge_denby
3 is not a good movie. I would give the 1st 2 films 5. Part 3 I would give a 2.5. The whole thing seeemed unnecessary. It was also marred by some pretty bad performances by Sophia Coppola and Joe Montagna. The latter who I find awful in everything. I can't stand the guy. Just look at the casts. Diance Keaton, DeNiro, Brando, James Caan and a lot of great character actors populated the 1st 2 film. Part 3 has Sofia Coppola, Andy Garcia and Joe Montagna. No comparison.
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