Superb but Part 2 even better

Rating: 10/10 (5 November 1998)

Marlon Brando's stunningly rich and complex portrait is just one of the many perfections this modern classic has to offer. But--Part 2 is bigger, better, richer, and better in every way. Not to diminish what a stunning achievement this film is. One perfectly realized scene flows after another, building one on top of the other. A moment of family and togetherness here, a crescendo of violence there, betrayal, duty, honor. It follows most of the rules established in early 30's gangster films like Scarface, Public Enemy and Little Caesar but is not limited in what it can show and attempts to tone down the melodramatics to a more realistically paced level. Nearly flawless. Some of the finest casting and ensemble acting you will ever see in a film by a brilliant director at the top of his craft. It makes no apologies for forcing you to care deeply for characters who are violent, selfish, greedy criminals. It makes us believe that at times there really is honor among thieves. Somehow these people's class system seem fairly acceptable to us--though ultimately cruel, and doomed to end violently. An essential film. On of the top 50 films of all time to be sure.