[Movie 290 / Day 309]
In the sequel to the best gangster film ever made, we follow Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) as he grows the family business and moves into Las Vegas, Hollywood and Cuba. Interwoven with that plot is another which shows us Vito Corleone’s (Robert DeNiro) life as he moves to America and becomes the head of a Mafia family.
As time moves on, Michael descends further and further into moral turpitude; either driving away or killing more or less everyone that is close to him. He becomes more and more distrustful and more and more violent.
Juxtaposed with this reign of violence is Vito Corleone’s rise to power, riding a wave of respect to the top. The difference between the two Godfathers couldn’t be more pronounced. Where Vito is making unrefusable offers and doling out favours, Michael is using an iron fist and smashing anyone in his way. As such, his empire is slowly crumbling. Having said that, we do get a hint of just how ruthless Vito can be when he returns to Sicily to avenge his father – a scene that shows just how like his father Michael is.
Special mention to both Al Pacino and Robert DeNiro, as both are superb. Pacino in particular manages to convey brooding evil with just his eyes, a darkness behind them – and when he does lose his temper, it’s frighteningly intense.
In my opinion, it’s not quite as good as the original; but it’s still an amazing achievement and well, well worth watching.
Rating: 
[ IMDB rating: 9 / 10 | IMDB link | Running time: 200 mins ]