The Godfather Part II Review: A Rare Sequel That Matches the Original
9.5/10 — The Godfather Part II (1974)
Pros
- Pacino at his icy best
- De Niro's brilliant young Vito
- Ambitious dual-timeline structure
Cons
- Long and demanding
- Best watched straight after the first
The Godfather Part II tells two stories at once: Michael Corleone consolidating his grip on the family business in the 1950s, and a young Vito arriving in New York and building his power from nothing. Few sequels have been this ambitious.
What works
Al Pacino is chilling as Michael slowly freezes into isolation, while Robert De Niro, speaking mostly Sicilian, makes the young Vito feel like a fully formed character. Cutting between the two timelines lets the film reflect on what power costs a family, and the ending is among cinema’s bleakest.
Where it falters
The flashback structure demands patience, and at over three hours it’s a significant commitment, especially if you haven’t seen the first film.
Verdict
Darker, deeper and more tragic than its predecessor. It stands comfortably beside the original.
