"The Godfather Part II", Is The Prime Example Of How Sequels Should Be Made.

Rating: 10/10 (30 August 2014)

Mario Puzo's epic "The Godfather" novel, has gone on to set high standards in both literature and cinema. Considering how the first one had managed to encapsulate so very well it's "Welcome to the Family" ideology. It gives the sequel a chance to now stand on its own two feet, without the necessities of an origin story.
Well it actually turns out we need those origin chapters more than ever. We are shown the past of how Vito Corleone, became the Don, in contrast of his son Micheal (Al Pacino). Usually watching any flashback sequence in a movie feels so hard for me to get into, it happens so abruptly it feels less like an aid to the story but more of a throw in. Francis Ford Coppola's execution is genius, because watching Vito's upbringing is shown and depicted perfectly with the "Sepia" feel, murky streets of little Italy and a Oscar winning performance from a then unknown Robert De Niro. Seeing this perfectly executed with Michael's story in comparison, it just instantly draws us in so well there's not many other films that do it this well.
Following the "current events" of the movie. Michael is slowly growing distant from the family, and ultimately paranoia is settling in without help from the older, weaker brother Fredo (A truly incredible performance from the late John Cazale). By the time things escalate towards the end of the film, the family is ultimately destroyed. Michael has officially isolated himself from both his own family and the other families, leaving him quiet and reminiscing. It is here we ask: "Do we see Micheal as a man with a blood lust, or a tragic soul"? Your choice. "The Godfather Part II" is a stunning sequel, feeling more like a 7 hour long epic rather than a trilogy. But if you loved the first movie, I would not be hesitant to watch this one. It is one of Coppola's finest pieces of writing and cinematography .
Final Verdict: The American dream is continuously turned on its head, in this more than perfect sequel. 10/10.