People often argue that the "Godfather Part II" exceeds the original film. Some rank it as one of the best sequels ever made. However, it is not just one of the better sequels but one of the best films of all time. Francis Ford Coppola's continuation of the Godfather saga lives up to its reputation, and is able to rival the original.
The original leaves us with Michael Corleone consolidating power by assassinating the heads of the five other families and Michael becoming the new Godfather replacing his own father. In “Part II” the film picks up three years later and follows the tribulations of Michael as he begins on his tenure as Godfather of the Corleone family. While showing the life of Michael after becoming Godfather, it also tells the story of the Corleone families rise in the early 20th century, as Vito (Robert De Niro) goes from “rags to riches.”
The juxtaposition of the young Vito’s rise and Michael’s downfall is a brilliant comparison. On one hand, there is Vito. Young, smart, and trying to make a good living for his family so they can survive, he meets up with Tessio and Clemenza; the most important thing for Vito is his family. On the other hand, 30 or more years later there is Vito’s son, Michael. Attempting to keep together the enterprise his father built. What seems to be most important for Michael is not family but power and respect and in the process he alienates his entire family, and eventually himself so that he does not lose those coveted attributes. Vito, at least in his mind, did only what he had to do to provide for his family and make a better life for them. He did so with a virtuous quality to fight what for what is right and protect the people of the neighborhood justly. Michael does whatever he has to maintain his power, and in the process loses his family.
One of Coppola’s true gifts as a filmmaker is capturing that feeling of raw emotion for his audience. Through the two movies we see the dynamic character Michael, the prodigal son, go from reluctance in joining the family business, to a power hungry mob boss who only cares about his own self-survival, and is willing to keep himself intact at any cost. Coppola is able to capture the pure emotion of the rise and fall of Michael Corleone, and the concluding scenes of the movie rival those of the first film. In the end, we realize the once mighty Corleone empire, which always takes care of its family, has been reduced to a lonely Michael.
Coppola has pulled off a second masterpiece in just a short time. The “Godfather Part II” is an excellent film that rivals the epic and dramatic levels of the first.
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