Heavy is the crown

Rating: 8/10 (13 July 2017)

The original "Godfather" ended with Kay literally being shut out of her husband's business (a deafening statement on her future). The same thing happens again in "Part II" but with devastating results. And that's emblematic of the movie as a whole; it marks every box on the sequel checklist (more this, bigger that) but in the context of a profoundly downbeat story. The brilliance of this film is the use of flashbacks to a young Vito Corleone (De Niro). It's contrasting his rise with Michael's fall and moral decay, tracking the various bombshells in each man's life (the hits on Fanucci and Ciccio, an abortion, 'You broke my heart, Fredo."). It's ideal for showing just how badly Michael is operating under the strain of power. The paranoia is palpable.
"The Godfather: Part II" is always the movie that's cited when discussing superior sequels. I don't know that I'd go that far, but I think it's a fantastic movie regardless, and certainly warrants any claims to greatness. If anything, it lacks the original's tight and near-perfect packaging, but makes up for that in undeniable ambition. Both are exceptional, but for different reasons.
8/10