The Godfather versus The Godfather Part II

[Nice marmot]

The Godfather. The evolution of Michael from “that’s my family Kay, it’s not me” to head of the family and taking out all of his rivals is amazing.

[T4ME]

This is difficult. To me both are master pieces. The back story telling in GF11 was masterful, to me l & ll are like peanut butter and jelly, one doesn't work without the other.

[White Collar Boy]

Love both, but the first feels ‘tighter’, sweeter, and I somewhat still like Michael in it (the sequel’s too heartbreaking, what he does).

[AzPaul]

The first.

[DJ TT 2002]

My brothers manage the family business.
I am only involved on the periphery.

It did not come as a shock when, a few years back, I was presented with a cake that read:

Happy Birthday, Fredo “

[Wcdhtwn]

I find my favorite of the two is whichever I am watching.

[996marty]

For me Godfather 2 is the best out of the trilogy and only because it opens up the story of the family and how they came to be. And how many times can you say that about a sequel with the original a masterpiece in itself

[BLACKHORSE 6]

The GF is a masterpiece, but I think it’s surpassed by GF 2.

Michael may have sold his soul in the GF, but somehow it’s worse in GF 2.

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by 996marty

For me Godfather 2 is the best out of the trilogy and only because it opens up the story of the family and how they came to be. And how many times can you say that about a sequel with the original a masterpiece in itself

That's true now that you've put it that way

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by BLACKHORSE 6

The GF is a masterpiece, but I think it’s surpassed by GF 2.

Michael may have sold his soul in the GF, but somehow it’s worse in GF 2.

Yes.
But as compelling to watch as it is, it fills one with more complex layers of negative emotions so in that respect it's unsettling.
At least it is for myself
The bomb in the car which killed his wife doesn't help.

[Cazador60]

I still get bothered each time I watch Freddo get whacked on the orders of Mikey.

[DJ TT 2002]

It’s sad to watch as Michael embraces the worst in himself.
But he is a tragic character and that’s what makes these films masterpieces!



Except for GF III
That has to have been made to pay off some tax debts or the like.
I’m just sayin’….

[Boopie]

We watched both with our sons recently. The consensus was that II was a “better” movie, but you needed the original to make it great. That is, while II stands on its own, the fleshed out the characters and back story to make II as enjoyable as it is.

I don’t think there’s a right or wrong answer to this question, though.

The fall of Michael was hard to watch, and so realistic, e.g. when he promised Diane Keaton)# character that he was taking the family “legit” in a few years.

Every crook is just one more deal away from going legit, right?

[AzPaul]

In spite of the fact that they were criminals and murderers, the Corleone family were sympathetic figures in the first film. There was a romantic quality to their lives that was being threatened, and in the face of that, they stood together and fought to keep it. In the second film, that rooting aspect was gone. Unlike Vito, Michael was completely cold. He had no love for his wife or siblings. And while the story was compelling and the filmmaking was brilliant, if you're a movie goer who likes to care about the protagonist and pull for them to win, the second wouldn't likely be your favorite.

[prnceofpersia23]

Loved Brando and James Caan in part one. Michael showing his fortitude with Sollozzo/McClusky and at the hospital protecting his father.

I think DeNiro stole the show in part two. Still my favorite scenes across both movies. Michael finding himself in Italy. RIP Apollonia, if only she could recite the days of the week in the right order.

If I had to choose, I'd say part one. I started to resent Michael as he became more and more ruthless. He seemed to lose the compassion that Vito had, albeit for good reason. He was "strictly business".

[BLACKHORSE 6]

Originally Posted by AzPaul

In spite of the fact that they were criminals and murderers, the Corleone family were sympathetic figures in the first film. There was a romantic quality to their lives that was being threatened, and in the face of that, they stood together and fought to keep it. In the second film, that rooting aspect was gone. Unlike Vito, Michael was completely cold. He had no love for his wife or siblings. And while the story was compelling and the filmmaking was brilliant, if you're a movie goer who likes to care about the protagonist and pull for them to win, the second wouldn't likely be your favorite.

You're right. GF 2 is more tragic in every way. Michael sees this happening and is powerless to stop it. Because of his choices and his previous surrender to the baser part of his nature when he took over the Corleone family, he's trapped in a downward spiral that he can't escape from. The world has changed and the players are different as compared to Vito's day. Michael's conversation with his mother in GF 2 highlights this.

[mailman]

Originally Posted by The Joker

First one for me, and also worth watching "The Offer" with Miles Teller, superb drama of the making.

The Offer is definitely worth watching if you’re a fan of The Godfather.

[HHIslander]

Originally Posted by mailman

The Offer is definitely worth watching if you’re a fan of The Godfather.

On rotten, audience gives it 95 and critics give it 58. The formula for a winner, putting it up next.

[DJ TT 2002]

Originally Posted by mailman

The Offer is definitely worth watching if you’re a fan of The Godfather.

The Offer is terrific!!

The casting was inspired and makes it feel as though you’re watching the actual director, actors, etc. as events unfold

[mailman]

Originally Posted by DJ TT 2002

The Offer is terrific!!

The casting was inspired and makes it feel as though you’re watching the actual director, actors, etc. as events unfold

I never knew how hard Sinatra tried to stop production of the movie.

[AzPaul]

I enjoyed 'The Offer' but watched it with the idea that it wasn't gospel. In fact, quite a few of the pertinent players in the actual story disputed many of Ruddy's versions of things.