Der Pate 2

Ein filmisches Meisterwerk, welches die Geschichte der Familie Corleone in höhere Sphären der Verbindung mit der Politik und in noch dunklere Gesetzmäßigkeiten der mafiosen Praktiken bringt. In dem ersten Film wurde der Zerfall der Familie, die der einzige echte Wert der Existenz der Protagonisten ist, angedeutet. In dem zweiten, dem längsten Teil geht es nur darum. Eine Zeitlinie – die Kindheit und die Jugend der anziehendsten Figur des ersten Films (Marlon Brando) in der perfekten Darbietung von Robert De Niro – zeigt den Charakterkern der Persönlichkeit von Vito Corleone, als er in New York angefangen hat. Die zweite Zeitlinie befasst sich mir seinem widerspruchsvolleren und düstereren Sohn Michael, der der mächtigste US-amerikanische Mafioso seiner Zeit wurde. Eine ausgezeichnete Rolle für den charismatischen Al Pacino, vor dem man Respekt hat und dessen Michael zu allem fähig ist. Mehr Figuren, ein interessanterer Einblick in die mächtigste Unterwelt und noch mehr Schübe in der Handlung, die zwischen den Zeilen ausgesprochen werden und zur Zusammensetzung eines unheimlichen Gedankenmosaiks dienen. Bei allem Respekt für Martin Scorsese: Es ist gut, dass der Regisseur dieser Trilogie Francis Coppola geblieben ist. Seine poetischere Form des Erzählens passt zu ihr perfekt. (05.06.2022)

Coppola made a lot of money with the first part, and it shows in the second part. A sweeping production design, hundreds and hundreds of extras, but somewhere the emotions have disappeared. Especially in the first half, the storyline with Michael Corleone is rather uninteresting. On the other hand, the memories of Vito Corleone are impressive; it is a pleasure to watch the then little-known De Niro. All my qualms were put to rest with the final act and the emotionally tense ending. The last shot of Michael Corleone's face is unforgettable, a man burdened by a heavy conscience, with wrinkles under his eyes and greying hair, a man who has gained power but lost love. (19.10.2003)

I won’t claim that The Godfather II being my 1000th review was a coincidence. It wasn’t, I intentionally saved this anticipated movie experience for this very festive moment. It wasn’t worth much, though. I don’t know whether it was because of the excessive expectations, but the film never managed to pull me into the story, and I also tended to fall asleep due to the incredible runtime. The direction and the performances are flawless, but if Coppola were to film a three-hour long, very faithful adaptation of a parliamentary session with Al Pacino and De Niro, it would also get five stars, right? The sixth place in the top feels very exaggerated to me. (14.12.2008)

This mafia opus confirms its quality in the second part as well. Although Al Pacino is not Marlon Brando, the whole story of one mob family is still absolutely incredible. The five-star rating is indisputable here. Where else will a director offer you a better insight into the life of mobsters than in this film? (04.12.2012)

"This is the business we chose." The second part of the brilliant adaptation of an unforgettable book. Taking over the baton from Brando is the duo of Al Pacino and Robert De Niro, who are absolutely incredible. No need to add more. Simply one of the best and most essential films of world cinema. (15.01.2007)

Another incredible film epic with elements of ancient tragedy, where the characters themselves compare the Corleone family to the Roman Empire. The most favorite character for me definitely becomes Tom Hagen played by Robert Duvall, and even with its shady sides, also Michael Corleone himself. His quarrel with Kay or the look in his eyes when speaking about Ola's fate are just another proof of Pacino's devilishness. (23.04.2006)

Rarely does the sequel succeed as perfectly as the original film, but with the second Godfather it almost did. We build on the life of Michael Corleone, who has become the new godfather, head of the family business, and we follow the complications his life brings. Al Pacino's excellent performance, which is even better than in the first movie, is a breathtaking spectacle. In parallel with Mike's story, however, we also follow the rise of his father, Vito Corleone (the only part that draws on Puzo's original book),his arrival in America, and the acquisition of much-valued respect. Robert De Niro is excellent as the young Vito and almost equals Pacino. An excellent sequel that exceeded my original expectations. The last scene of the film is completely disarming, and watching it kind of made me saddened for all those who were already... dead. (07.10.2006)

More elaborate, expensive, and monumental than the first film, but I can’t say which of them is of higher quality. In this second episode I somewhat miss the meaning of the retrospective part, where we follow a young Vito Corleone masterfully played by Robert De Niro. Of course, for the clarification and detailed description of the history of the Corleone family, it is good, but due to these inserts, the runtime is gigantic, and if we also add some less exciting passages depicting the present, the length of the film might be problematic for some viewers. Nevertheless, The Godfather II is more than a great film that describes relationships and business practices of mafia families in the 1940s and 1950s with incredible precision. Coppola did an outstanding job once again. (25.04.2004)

The Godfather II left me with negative impressions the first time I watched it and I left the screen with a feeling of emptiness. However, as you can see in the current rating, the second screening, as usual, has changed everything diametrically and I have to write a new review. Not that I really have to, but this film deserves it. Part II is like a trophy for genre lovers that we can walk around and look at every day without ever getting get tired of it. Just watching the way Al Pacino gracefully and nonchalantly performs and talks his way around, while at the same time removing inconvenient relatives without so much as a blink, is an experience in itself, and under the baton of the virtuoso Coppola, who was obviously born for this franchise and who takes his talents here to such heights that it’s simply unimaginable if you haven't seen The Godfather before. Brilliant, truly brilliant direction that maintains a perfect mafia atmosphere (I don't know how better to describe it) for the entire three hours, always mixed with the dazzling aura of Pacino's unreadable, cold-hearted but also loving personality. Only a small group of elite actors can give such a performance, and Pacino is clearly one of them. Like the first one, this is a film that was ahead of its time and that showed me the precision that the symbiosis between a great script and top-notch direction can reach. And the final scene with the look inside the eyes of the defeated winner gave me such a chill, it was like I ended up with a bullet in my head too. Bravo! (18.08.2012)

I consider it one of the best film sequels ever. The film is pure perfection. Robert De Niro was born for the role of young Vito Corleone, and Al Pacino’s expressions were so cold at times that I considered turning the heat up. The running time was over three hours, and even though it wasn’t full of frantic action, I couldn't tear myself away from the screen. A great film. (17.07.2017)

Francis Ford Coppola just proves what a master of direction he was. Long scenes, which are essentially captured in real time, where editing is just a means, not to jump in time, but to tighten the tension for the audience, to properly build up the scene. This is evident, for example, in the scene where young Vito Corleone, played by Robert De Niro, pursues a mafia boss across the rooftops to find a suitable spot for his target. Meanwhile, a celebration is taking place on the street below. Everything is precisely arranged and performed perfectly. The casting of actors was absolutely excellent, confirmed by the presence of Lee Strasberg, who earned his only Oscar nomination eight years before his death. The main stars, however, are Al Pacino and Robert De Niro, with De Niro slightly outshining them. Even back then, he had the abilities that Scorsese chose him for his legendary films. An excellent film, but I simply missed Marlon Brando, who was absolutely incredible even compared to De Niro. (12.02.2014)