‘The Godfather’ Is Still Better Than ‘The Godfather Part II’ 50 Years Later

by

Quick Links

  • How Does ‘The Godfather Part II’ Build on ‘The Godfather?’
  • ‘The Godfather Part II’ 50 Years Later

As a film critic with over three decades of experience, I’ve had the pleasure (and sometimes pain) of watching countless movies from various genres. But when it comes to Mafia films, there’s no debate – The Godfather and its sequel, The Godfather Part II, are in a league of their own.

This month marks the 50th anniversary of one of the most impressive sequels: The Godfather Part II. It’s a monumental film that presents the most powerful on-screen brotherly kiss in cinema history. Known for its masterful storytelling, this movie by Francis Ford Coppola skillfully portrays not only how to construct a compelling narrative but also sets it on a path towards tragic destiny. The film deftly navigates between the enigmatic realm of the mafia and the world these men are striving to safeguard, a world hidden beneath suits and subtle power struggles.

As a cinephile, I can’t help but reiterate my belief that among the two masterpieces, The Godfather remains my top pick. This isn’t to undermine the brilliance of The Godfather Part II, but rather to emphasize that the original film encapsulates all that the sequel attempts and successfully expands upon in a more thematic sense.

Combining them, they create one of the greatest sequential pairings ever, as we tend to overlook The Godfather Part III and finding a fair comparison is challenging. However, the climb to greatness holds a deeper sorrow than the fall, which is the primary distinction between the two. Now, let me address your questions: Why is The Godfather superior to The Godfather Part II? Well, The Godfather Part II builds upon the original in many ways. As for how it has held up after 50 years, here’s a brief insight.

‘The Godfather’ Is Better Than ‘The Godfather Part II,’ Briefly

50 years after their release, these two films continue to stand as the epitome of American cinema’s potential. “The Godfather Part II” masterfully portrays Michael Corleone’s losing grip on the Mafia and does so in a captivating manner. The comparison between Michael and young Vito Corleone generates an intriguing tension that spans time, enriching the original movie and adding layers of depth that, while not essential to understanding Vito, make his character even more chilling. “The Godfather Part II” subtly exposes the fragile aspects of Michael’s character, leading us to the sobering revelation that he is as clueless about his actions as his father was. The illusion of invincibility represented by the suits is shattered, revealing a man as vulnerable as any other under pressure.

As a film enthusiast, I’d say that The Godfather sets the stage, serving as a powerful precursor with a deeper emotional core woven through Marlon Brando’s commanding performance. It yanks us into their world, a world where family ties are tested and traditions upheld. Coppola pulls at our heartstrings in The Godfather, a film that irrevocably changes the family, leaving them forever altered.

How Does ‘The Godfather Part II’ Build on ‘The Godfather?’

Few sequels have managed to extend a world as skillfully as “The Godfather Part II.” The storyline carries an undercurrent of tension, presenting a fresh take on the family navigating their future, yet still uncertain about the steps they should take. They are compelled to move forward, but fresh interactions unfold, all while Michael struggles desperately to fit into the enormous shoes of a man he barely knew. “The Godfather Part II” seems almost like an aftermath of the transformation seen in “The Godfather,” and it delivers this transition with a deliberate messiness that hints at what was only suggested in its predecessor.

To put it simply, “The Godfather” stands out as the more impactful film because it delves deeper into its themes and presents what appears to be the more intriguing aspects of the characters’ lives. While “The Godfather Part II” offers a unique dual structure, the sections featuring Robert De Niro can be seen as somewhat repetitive in their attempt to echo Marlon Brando’s portrayal of Michael Corleone. These scenes may have contributed to De Niro winning an Oscar, but they are not entirely self-sufficient. The original “The Godfather” already laid a strong foundation for the relationship between its characters without these additional scenes being essential.

‘The Godfather Part II’ 50 Years Later

The Godfather Part II lives on a few stellar moments, like the Fredo subplot, which culminates in the best of John Cazale’s limited on-screen history. It successfully pushes past what the first did while positioning itself as the impact of The Godfather‘s fall. The second recontextualizes the first’s change as a fatal one in such a brilliant way, but the first still has the dramatic edge thanks to key scenes and an irreplaceable Marlon Brando.

Five long decades have passed since The Godfather Part II graced our screens, yet it remains one of the most impactful crime epics in American cinema. It masterfully portrays the unavoidable brutality and sorrow that permeate this criminal underworld while delving into the past and its profound influence on the present. For me, The Godfather is an unparalleled masterpiece, but the sequel’s contribution to the intricate tale of Michael Corleone’s cyclical descent into violence and betrayal cannot be overlooked.

Neither mafia film has managed to surpass what those two movies achieved, and after half a century, it appears another groundbreaking work within the genre is just as distant as an unopened cannoli from 1972. Stream The Godfather and The Godfather Part II on Paramount+.

Read More

2024-12-05 02:05