Post by Stu on Aug 4, 2005 12:19:30 GMT
Dir: Francis Ford Coppola
Many times has the debate ‘Has a sequel ever matched its predecessor?’ occurred. For me the answer is never with the exception of The Godfather Part II. Francis Ford Coppola’s follow up to the 1972 Oscar winning classic is without doubt the best sequel ever made. Ironic when you think of the fact that Coppola didn’t want anything to do with a sequel because he had such a headache making the original. However his patience and hard work was rewarded at the 1974 Academy Awards when Part II picked up a handful of awards including Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor (Robert De Niro) and Best Director, the award which eluded Coppola in ’72.
The Godfather Part II follows the life of Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) who, since the death of his father Vito and elder brother Sonny, has been left in sole charge of the Corleone empire. Michael, who once refused to have anything to do with his father’s interests, is now arguably the most powerful man in America’s underworld. Michael’s wish is now to make the family legitimate and in his quest to do so plunges him further and further from the reality of ever accomplishing it. This pushes him into making decisions that effect his relationships both personal and business.
What makes Part II unique is the successful transitions that are made when the film switches from it’s present day to the 1910’s and through to the twenties. From when Vito (Robert De Niro) first arrives in the States as a boy, after the murder of his mother, and begins the rise from poverty to millionaire Don Corleone head of the most notorious crime family in America.
The performance of Robert De Niro as the young Vito Corleone is uncanny as it does justice to Marlon Brando’s portrayal from the original film. Pacino puts in another excellent performance, as does Diane Keaton as Michael’s wife Kay. The set designs and cinematography for the early 1900 set pieces is stunning giving the feel of reality to Puzo’s story and the characters being portrayed on screen. This is a great example of a classic gangster movie and shows clearly what is needed if you are to make a sequel that quite simply surpasses its original.
"Never take sides against the family again" - Michael Corleone
Many times has the debate ‘Has a sequel ever matched its predecessor?’ occurred. For me the answer is never with the exception of The Godfather Part II. Francis Ford Coppola’s follow up to the 1972 Oscar winning classic is without doubt the best sequel ever made. Ironic when you think of the fact that Coppola didn’t want anything to do with a sequel because he had such a headache making the original. However his patience and hard work was rewarded at the 1974 Academy Awards when Part II picked up a handful of awards including Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor (Robert De Niro) and Best Director, the award which eluded Coppola in ’72.
The Godfather Part II follows the life of Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) who, since the death of his father Vito and elder brother Sonny, has been left in sole charge of the Corleone empire. Michael, who once refused to have anything to do with his father’s interests, is now arguably the most powerful man in America’s underworld. Michael’s wish is now to make the family legitimate and in his quest to do so plunges him further and further from the reality of ever accomplishing it. This pushes him into making decisions that effect his relationships both personal and business.
What makes Part II unique is the successful transitions that are made when the film switches from it’s present day to the 1910’s and through to the twenties. From when Vito (Robert De Niro) first arrives in the States as a boy, after the murder of his mother, and begins the rise from poverty to millionaire Don Corleone head of the most notorious crime family in America.
The performance of Robert De Niro as the young Vito Corleone is uncanny as it does justice to Marlon Brando’s portrayal from the original film. Pacino puts in another excellent performance, as does Diane Keaton as Michael’s wife Kay. The set designs and cinematography for the early 1900 set pieces is stunning giving the feel of reality to Puzo’s story and the characters being portrayed on screen. This is a great example of a classic gangster movie and shows clearly what is needed if you are to make a sequel that quite simply surpasses its original.
"Never take sides against the family again" - Michael Corleone