Fantastic.

Rating: 10/10 (12 July 2008)

The Godfather Part II is one of the most amazing films of all time. Al Pacino does a magnificent job of portraying the fading Michael Corleone, and cements the character into the memory of all. The whole concept of the movie is just perfect. Michael Corleone's decline from power is interlaced with the tale of his father's rise, and it is capped off with superb acting and screenplay.
The most powerful scenes come towards the end of the film. John Cazale does a great job of creating the Fredo character, and his relationship with Michael is heartbreaking. As the end of the movie approaches, Michael has become a ruthless man. He has killed men for business, he has killed his own brother. And he is alone because of it. The second last scene takes us back to an earlier time. Everybody is happy and laughing, but Michael is again alone. The last scene is back in present time, and depicts Michael sitting on a bench alone, contemplating what he has done. This ending captures what the film is about, the human element in a violent story.