MICHEAL

The movie is a sequel to the inimitable “The Godfather”.....critics have been divided till now as which is better movie the original or the sequel...i will go for the successor even though I love both the movies equally...the movie recalls the Don's arrival in the U.S from Sicily, Italy and his subsequent rise to power....the young Vito “Don” Corleone is played by the then upcoming legend Robert De Niro ( in an award winning subtle role)...after the Don's death Michael ( Al Pacino in a legendary flawless tour de force for which he was robbed by the Academy) takes over the mantle of the Don.....

Just like its predecessor this also clocks in close to three hours but each every minute is well spent....those who are familiar with the novel will notice that Vito Corleone's earlier life was a part of the original novel, which was not mentioned in the original is showcased

Here. the movie has ample doses of Italy especially during the flashback sequences....here also the massacre at the climax is scintillating when michael realizes who are the real culprits...however the scene which impacted me the most had no dialogue in it...i am talking about the penultimate scene when Michael stares in to the camera,,,wow subtle yet powerful...


i have always admired the lifestyle of the Godfather movies...the wardrobe...luxury living with gangsters in dapper and power dressing to boot!!! What I loved about the movie was the way in which Coppola shot the scenes in which Michael attends the meetings, the picturesque country side et al...and the subsequent hearing which takes place accusing him of murder and corruption...and of course ( I knew it was you Fredo , you broke my heart plus when Michael loses his cool when the assassination on him and his family fails and the manner in which he vents his anger...magnifique!!!!!! )

kudos to coppola for making a genuine masterpiece from the 70's...top notch performances...elegant score...unique script...brilliant star cast especially Tom Hagen( Robert Duvall)...this is the definitive “sequel”...rather than the trash we are accustomed to today...