The best sequel ever made.

Rating: 10/10 (26 March 2004)

You take THAT director, THAT photographer, THAT production designer and THOSE actors, make a massive richly detailed follow up telling two stories in the one film which runs at 200 minutes and you have the greatest sequel of all time (along with the empire strikes back).
Part II tells how the Corleones have progressed in the year 1958,with Michael Corleone now truly in command of his empire at lake Tahoe in Nevada, he is now in business with a dangerous Jewish gangster called Hyman Roth who is secretly in partnership with Michael's weak-willed brother Fredo in an attempt to assassinate Michael and pull off a deal that involves Cuba and gambling casinos in las Vegas.
When Michael learns he has been betrayed, he orders his brother's death and starts issuing threats to relatives and friends alike, slowly becoming warped and paranoid, Michael's face is ravaged and sullen, his eyes are as dark and lifeless as his father's were in part I, thus the circle is complete. like father...like son.
Not only do we learn of Michael's Ascension as emperor of the Corleones but we are shown how the young Don Vito Corleone first came to power in many flashback scenes. A special mention must go to Robert De Niro for his turn as young Vito speaking all his lines in Sicilian dialogue, you really believe this is Don Vito as a young man in 1917 New York city.
The senate hearings on organised crime are brilliantly staged and interesting with Michael's denial on ever running the 'biggest criminal organisation' in the USA. I could go on and on about this amazing film but i will end it on saying that the godfather part II is every bit as majestic and tragically mesmerising as the original.
ten out of ten.