My Thoughts On The Godfather Part II

A few weeks ago, I checked another movie off of my Must See list: The Godfather Part II. I know, I know. It was a few weeks ago. But I've been mulling over this post since then. Why have I been stewing about my thoughts for a few weeks? Because The Godfather Part II is both a sequel and a prequel and it took me a while to wrap my brain around it.

To be completely honest, I wanted to watch the movie again before I wrote this post. Sadly, the video store hasn't had a copy in stock to rent at the same time that I have a three hour, uninterrupted stretch of time to watch Part II. Realizing that it might be months before I have a three hour, uninterrupted stretch of time, I figured that it would be better to get my thoughts about Part II out there before I forgot all the good stuff.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Godfather, which automatically made me suspicious of The Godfather II. I wasn't convinced that Part II would be as fabulous as Part I. Sequels are a dicey business, my friends. I give you Teen Wolf Too as an example: it's not nearly as good as the original Teen Wolf. And interestingly enough, The Godfather Part III shows up on virtually every Worst Sequels Ever Made list. My point is this: my expectations were low for The Godfather II. Very, very low. That being said, I think I liked it.

A brief synopsis: Part II tells the story of how both Michael and his father (Vito) became Dons and their respective Godfather-ships. Does that make sense? Any sense at all? Can you follow my story description? Frances Ford Coppola tells the story better than I do.

Obviously.

He won awards for telling this story. I've never won any awards for telling a story, but my 'lively' cover letter got me a job interview that eventually led to my teaching gig at the local community college. But I digress.

There are four things that struck me after watching Part II.

1. After hearing about Vito's childhood in Italy, I totally get the giant chip on his shoulder. First off (spoiler alert), his dad is murdered, his brother is killed during his dad's funeral, AND his mom calls him dumb-witted. Yeesh. That's enough to honk anybody off. It's no wonder that he sailed off to America to lead a life of crime and make people offers they couldn't refuse.

2. Diane Keaton's eyebrows distracted me throughout most of the movie. Seriously. Couldn't take my eyes off of 'em. Love Diane, but those brows were totally tweezed off and then drawn back on with a pencil or something. Google it. You'll be amazed.

3. During a meeting in Cuba, a gold phone is presented to the Cuban dictator. I instantly fell in love with the gold phone and my love is so deep that I'd almost be willing to trade my Batphone for it. A gold phone is so going on my birthday list.

4. I kept wondering where Cheech was in Part II. Cheech did not make an appearance. Phooey. Instead, Peter Clemenza was played by that guy who was in 'City Slickers' with Billy Crystal.

To recap: I think I liked Part II. It's really difficult to not like a movie that features a gold phone. And, you know, tells the back story to The Godfather while at the same time continuing the plot. Not once did I have the urge to throw my Snuggie over my head and that's considered high praise for movies on my Must See list. Pin It Now!