"...wherever he goes, death follows..." F.F. Coppola on Michael Corleone

Rating: 10/10 (25 April 2002)

The Great Contribution to Cinema and American History itself... because, let's face it: If you're not part of any religious or ethnic minority in the good-ol' US-of-A (and we all came from another country; American Indians being the only true Natives), then the Godfather franchise means nothing to you except slickly-packed violence.
A masterpiece of American filmmaking; less derivative and more seminal than other films previous and since.
Novelist-screenwriter Mario Puzo and screenwriter/director Francis Ford Coppola care for the characters they wrought here, and the two sequels. Maybe not all of their individual efforts work for us, but they are still products of meticulous filmmaking, and each Godfather film deserves a serious examination in this esthetic sense.
Godfather lays down the groundwork, introducing us to Don Corleone and his sons, each of which have their own tragic destinies. The Don's youngest son, Michael, prooves to be the wisest and most formidable, and takes over the Family Seat.
Godfather Part II gives us the Don's family history in Sicily, and Michael's transformation into a paranoid 'monster.'
Godfather Part III examines Michael's pain, panic and remorse, for having gone this far (1979) and not having become "legitimate."

Actors Al Pacino and Talia Shire each grew and became better, thespian-wise, through these three aforementioned Godfather installments, and deserve recognition for their efforts.