Filmmaker reacts to The Godfather Part II (1974) for the FIRST TIME!
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- čas přidán 8. 09. 2024
- Hope you enjoy my filmmaker reaction to The Godfather Part II. :D
Full length reactions & Patreon only polls: / jamesvscinema
Original Movie: The Godfather Part II (1974)
Ending Song: / charleycoin
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*Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED. All rights belong to their respective owners.
"I know it was you, Fredo." Has got to be amongsts Hollywoods top 10 spoken lines of all time
The Godfather movies have a bunch of lines that qualify for such lists.
And It was an abortion!! My favorite scene
@@crookedcarpetBrutal scene from two actors at the top of their craft.
“….you broke my heart”
What did he? Did Fredo stole a ring or something like that? 🤪
Four things:
-1974: that was fifty years ago ! Robert De Niro spent months in Italy to learn how to speak Sicilian in order to play young Vito Corleone in The Godfather Part II. He won his first Oscar (supporting role) for the role. That Al Pacino (nominated for best actor) did not get his own Oscar was one of the biggest snubs in Hollywood history. So many members of the Academy felt that way that Pacino's Oscar for "Scent of a Woman" in 1992 was basically a rectification.
-The Godfather Part II was not the first sequel in Hollywood history, but it was the first to be titled "Part II", and the first sequel to win the Oscar for best picture.
-At the end of this movie, right at the moment we see the magnificient closing shot on Al Pacino's face, Michael Corleone is at the apex of his power. All his enemies are gone. However, he's never been lonelier, and he's now rotten to the very core. This film embodies the proverb: "Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely".
-Love your channel, James, keep up the good work !
Great comment and thanks for the info!! Genuinely appreciate it! Cheers!
Lmao we’re still getting apology awards today… bob Odenkirk just got his first nomination not for Saul Goodman but for uncle Lee Layne in one episode of the bear 😂
The Academy simply does respect the character of Michael Corleone.
Yes I agree. the movie is very Shakespeareian with the way it plays out.
Great reaction and analysis. You missed it at Mama’s funeral when Michael is hugging Fredo, forgiving him, Michael looks are Neary…the nod
The end flashback always breaks my heart a little. When Michael says he is joining the military, Fredo is the only one to congratulate Michael. Fredo really cared for Michael. That's one of the things Michael with have to live with for the rest of his life.
When young Vito came back for Don Ciccio, one of their friends (the one who introduce him) was Tomassino. Tomassino, much older obviously, helped Michael in Italy when he killed the police officer and Sollozo. If you remember, Tomassino walked always with a cane due to a limp. That limp was produced because of the shot on the knee when he was young, in that moment when Vito took revenge on Don Ciccio.
It's all about the details! Such great storytelling all around. Cheers!
Yeah, Tomassino will appear again in the next movie, very important character.
Ah, I did not know that. Terrific.
The HBO supercut that puts the trilogy in chronological order is amazing. I wouldn't do it for a first viewing, but it's a great way to spend a Saturday.
And also uses so many great deleted scenes.
To answer a couple of questions you asked. The Man in Black is Michaels version of Luca Brazzi. His name is Busseta. The guy with the puffy face that holds the gun up at the door with the cop looking through is Peter Clemenza. He is one of the underbosses in the first film. He made the special gun for Michael and taught Michael how to make spaghetti sauce.
And said, "Leave the gun, take the cannoli." 😀
Tessio was the other guy with Vito and Clemenza. Vito became the Don and the other 2 his capos there at the dinner table when he told them just give $50 and he would settle up with Fanucci.
I may be wrong, but my memory from the novel that in regards to Al Neri it said Michael had found his "Luca Brasi" That was way over 50 years ago so I could easily be mistaken. 🙂
He also said hello to Carlo.
Spaghetti sauce?
The death stare Michael has as he slowly comes up to Kay, looks at her, and then slowly but definitively closes the door on her is such a powerful scene.
Great to see someone who actually recognizes the quality of the editing and storytelling react to this masterpiece!
James you got too excited to realise, during the hug between Fredo and Michael at the funeral, you missed the look he gave to Fredos guard sealing Fredo's fate , Michael promised nothing would happen to his brother while their mother was alive... also the scene between Hagen and Pantageli in the prison, talking about the Romans, he was saying he would take took his own life as long as his family were taken care of as was the Roman tradition...if a senator was disgraced to secure his family he would take his own life, usually in hot bath with a sharp knife to the femoral artery.
Just seems like he talks a lot thru the reactions and misses important scenes or little details that add depth to the movie, felt like this watching his reaction to the first godfather
James notices the film making style/aspects first; plot second. I'm sure when he edits, or watches it again on his own, the plot and the nuances will become clear. @@mo2k638
@@mo2k638This is a reaction and is to be expected. If he watched without saying much or anything, his channel would be removed. And since he's never seen this movie before, there's no way to know which scenes require more attention.
I'm sure you knew this.
It's for others who feel the same way and either forgot the rules of reacting or don't know them
That moment where Michael embraces Fredo at their mom’s funeral - watch it again. After he embraces him, he looks up and you can see him order the hit on Fredo. It’s crazy once you see it.
I was 🤔 how did he miss that
The order was already likely out but to avoid any confusion when Michael hugged Fredo he gave dude the nod to say ya man it's still on.
@@ronweber1402 - good point! Overall, it’s such a masterstroke to tell the audience that way.
The hit was already ordered. When Michael got back from Cuba, he told Al Neri “Not while my mother’s alive.” At the funeral Neri glances over to Michael to confirm if he still wants to go through with it.
What’s so interesting to me is that Vito rises but he is loved and respected by his people and his family sure there’s fear there but it’s not excessive people are loyal to him because he is loyal to them. In spite of his profession he tries to be kind and grateful always. Michael achieves strides in business that no one ever has but no one loves him, they fear him and in the end he has everything but he’s alone
The look of boiling rage Michael has in his eyes before hitting Kay is honest to God some of Pacino's finest acting.
Also, I love how her insulting his Sicilian heritage is what ultimately makes him lose it.
Yeah, I swore he became a fuming kettle during that scene. Volcanic as hell.
Never loved her. He just needed a "family" for appearances and because his father pratlled on about family all the time.
@@playedout148Exactly!!! Appolonia was his true love.
All these years later I still wonder if Al Pacino slapped Diane Keaton in the scene. It looks so real.
@@cflournoy1529
It’s easy to love someone you barely know. I don’t think he truly loved anyone, but she was someone who died before the honeymoon phase was over. She could be whatever he wanted in his nostalgia.
“I’m your older brother, Mike, and I was passed over”. Love that scene the dialog is epic only overshadowed by Tom outside the prison. So happy you’ve enjoyed these two films so much.
The scene between Tom & Frankie at the army base: They make a tacit deal that if Frankie kills himself for his betrayal, his family will be taken care of financially.
If you weren't already aware, Hyman Roth is played by Lee Strasberg, who was Al Pacino's acting teacher
Based loosely on meyer lansky.
Something I learned recently is that Al Pacino's family is from Corleone Italy. I don't remember if it is a Grandparent or which generation.
And founder of The Actor's Studio in NY.
@@jameskirschling7887 Pacino's maternal grandparents were from Corleone.
His scenes as a youngster, Genco emerging as consiglione (Hagen's predecessor gets mentioned when Sonny argues with him in part 1) along with Don Fanucci's backstory (and scar) are all cut from part 2. Wisely, I think, as it would be bloated with those extras.
But interesting that Genco's dad took young Vito into his family, and became consiglione, whereas Vito takes in Hagen, and same becomes of him.
you notice the guy playing Johnny Ola, later on that actor Dominic Chianese would play Uncle Junior in "The Sopranos"
Uncle Jun's in the muff
@@attackhelicopterjr4481south of da borda
It has already been mentioned, but the guy you thought was Al Capone is actually Clemenza. The other guy with Vito is a young Tessio. All three are eating together in that one scene.
Clemenza the one who says ‘leave the gun take the cannoli’ and Tessio is the one who betrays Michael
Folks who want an uplifting Italian movie about movies; "Cinema Paradiso" could be the ticket.
Omg Patrick. My fiancé introduced me to this film only a week ago. Watched it 3 times already. What a brilliant amazing film. I’m so glad someone mentioned this. So many thanks lv xxx
@@jessrosefawkes2721Groovie stay safe everyone because I'm thinking that things are going to get a lot wilder before they get any better.
Seconded. And not the director's cut (ironically). I've been suggesting it since the pandemic hit and all the movie reaction channels started happening. Four years later and it has still/yet to be covered(!). Which kills me, for as long as people go on about loving films and they have yet to watch the biggest love letter to the medium ever, ugh, lol. Actually one channel did listen to me and watch it but they're not outputting as much or at all nowadays.
@@stanleydavidlepretre4241 absolutely I couldent agree more. U stay safe 2 lv take care xxx
Abso-f***ing-lutely! 👌🏽
When they are raising the olive oil sign in the old days, the 2 guys with Vito are Clemenza and Tessio, Vito's Captains from part 1.
Being from Philly, I thought you might have recognized the ship on which Vito emigrated. It's the Moshulu! The very same that is docked on the Delaware at Penn's Landing as a restaurant!
Funny enough, it was on its way to Philly when Coppola was filming this movie, so he took the opportunity to portray it as Vito's ship!
Yoooo!!! You are correct, I wish I caught it during my screening but after you mentioned this, that’s the one. That’s awesome!
@@JamesVSCinema yep! I never picked it up until I got the DVDs! I was just there for a wedding, and it's funny that they never bothered advertising the connection.
@@richarddefortuna2252 I wonder what the connection might be to Moshulu Pkwy. in the Bronx.
Also from Philly and I was 15 when I first saw the movie and screamed at our fat-ass '80s TV when the boat's name came into view.
@@encrypter46 I'm not sure, but I do know that it was docked in New York for some time prior to moving to Philly.
James, the guy you thought was Capone was the younger version of Clemenza, the fat capo from the first movie who shotgunned the guys in the elevator.
‘When a man is climbing, trying to persuade others to give him power, concealment is necessary. ... But as a man obtains more power, camouflage becomes less necessary.” Robert Caro, The Passage of Power.
Power reveals. With Vito Corleone, it revealed protective justice. With Michael Corleone, it revealed a thirst for vengeance and a corruption of his core values leading to the destruction of his family. The juxtaposition of the dual stories has always been the most fascinating part of the story. How does power reveal? How does power stand the rest of time?
Great reaction, James and cannot wait to see part 3! FYI, all of the Cuba scenes were filmed in my native Dominican Republic. Ironically, we’re half Cuban and the scenes of Michael arriving were filmed a few blocks away from where my exiled relatives lived in Sanyo Domingo. The fled Cuba on the very night depicted in this film, when Batista resigned.❤
Frodo carrying the Ring to Mordor, the ring that makes him invisible and slowly corrupts him.
Frankie pentagali was talking to tom about how the romans used to allow "traitors" families to keep the fortunes as long as the traitor killed himself. Which is why frankie killed himself. Basically he was promised his family would be okay and taken care of
So if you didn’t know the guy who plays Hyman Roth (who is really just an alternate-universe version of Meyer Lansky) is the great Lee Strasberg, who is actually more well-known as a teacher of great actors - he’s the guy who created The Actor’s Studio in NYC. He’s famously known as “The father of method acting” because he pretty much created the whole approach known as “method acting”. This is probably his most famous film role, actually, and it’s a pretty incredible showcase for his talents.
Also just to add Al Pacino was one of his students, so it was also very shrewd casting by Coppola to have him in the movie to tap into their real life mentor/student dynamic.
The first two Godfather’s are really good lessons in storytelling. The development, cinematography, and the characterization are all top notch
As a writer, I watch this and the first film constantly, just to see the masterful storytelling. And for movies that are several hours long, it like you transcend time. So glad you're getting to experience this for the first time. (How Pacino didn't win an Oscar for this, I'll never understand... the man says more with his eyes than half the great monologues in cinema. The scene where he's hugging Fredo at the funeral and he looks over at his captain... without a word, your heart snaps, 'cause you can see what's coming. So damned cold).
yes it's vito's family, michael is the baby, Fredo is in blue, Sonny is the oldest child.
Can’t wait for this reaction. Couldn’t hit the watch button fast enough!
Final scene is just a pure masterpiece, I love this film. One of the best sequels made imo
I love how you analyze from a filmmaker’s perspective. You make me think of the director’s intent and the importance of camera movement, scene layout and even sound…beyond superior acting. Thanks.
The 2 guys with Vito eating dinner were Clemenza and Tessio, who became capos in Corleone's family (from the first film). There's a deleted scene showing young Vito meet Hyman Roth and start doing business with him. Amazing back story.
I’m not the most religious guy in the world but what came to mind in the final shot of Michael sitting alone was the verse “What profits a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul?”
Luke 9:25.
One aspect I really like about the 'it was not a miscarriage' scene is that the entire time Michael is only viewing things as if he's in total control. He even tells her "I would use all my power" thereby reminding her that he has the power and she does not. Then she drops that bomb on him proving that for all his power, she could easily hurt him in a way that his enemies couldn't accomplish on their best day. It reminds him that the one thing he has convinced himself that he has prioritized, his family, is where he has failed. Fredo and Kay forced him to wonder what it was all for.
It’s Clemenza when he was young, not Capone
Most of the scenes were theyre supposed to be in 'Cuba', they actually filmed it here in Dominican Republic. Filmed in 'La Zona Colonial' or the colonial district, where most of the infrastructure has been kept (mostly) the same since colonial times.
I love the golden cast and beautiful grainy feel of the film stock they used to use. Digital is cold and unforgiving. Film is more like a DaVinci painting.
Happy to hear you're continuing on to part 3. Excited for your reaction to it!
The "I know it was you" still haunts me after all those years (there is a reference to that moment in Better Call Saul when Mike said that to Hofmann and Fensky)
22:58 In that scene one reactioner once exclaimed "Oh no, they killed Leonard Cohen!"
I had to laugh so hard!
Especially because of the irony. I have seen a picture of Leonard Cohen as a young man and he looked exactly like Al Pacino in this movie!
Michael's embrace of Fredo at the wake is one of the most powerful scenes in film, to me, and it's done with no dialogue. When Michael faces an emotional Fredo and embraces him, getting you to hope for reconciliation, Michael's cold, unforgiving eyes stare at his "button man", Al Neri, silently telling him that the time of "I don't want anything to happen to him while my mother is alive" is done and that poor Fredo is a dead man. I've never felt hope and dread within seconds of each other like that. Al Pacino's acting there is so scary good.
25:46 The story of his scar is told in a deleted scene. You can find it on CZcams.
I'm surprised it was deleted, because it was a real peer behind the curtain for Vito, one that factored into his decision to make his move.
Good for you for calling people out about telling you which videos to watch. Everyone should judge for themselves. I literally hated Alien 3 when it came out, but watched a CZcamsr recently dissect it from a moviemaking standpoint and I actually came to appreciate it more than I ever did.
Yeah The Godfather is alright but we all know The Gang Gets Whacked is the true mafia masterpiece.
And a good day… to YOUSE..
lol
He does have gorgeous hands, though.
It's Friday!
The opening scene shot where young Vito is in quarantine when we see him in the window with the Statue of Liberty thru his window reflection is what I consider one of the most beautiful shots on film. We see the American flag while he begins to sing, & his view, it’s so patriotic, & such a good way to depict how immigrants came to America, & the process. It’s stunning, touching, & gives me butterflies every time I see it! Maybe because I am adopted, & had to become a citizen, it holds a lot of weight for me as an American.
A 49 minute reaction and still so many iconic scenes that don’t make the cut, that’s how much this film absolutely snaps in every frame.
Fun fact: The Cuba scenes were shot in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic doubling for Havana.
That guy with the puffy face is Clemenza, the guy who drank a jug of wine at the beginning of The Godfather.
When they're talking about the fall of the Roman Empire, it's not just connected with the family but also the Italian culture. There is this pride in the grandeur of the empire and how far they've fallen from being the senators to having senators look down on their people.
Similarly, there is this interplay within the family generationally. Vito is self made and builds strength through community. And Michael grows up and decides to be self made like his father, his life is easier but he goes to war, fights for his country. But like the fallen empire, Michael can't trust community like his father, there's so many people trying to take him down. So Michael finds strength through being alone, even if it means killing his brother.
Other mob movies and shows have similar themes, things getting harder generationally.
Fabulous movies. All 3. I love the way you break them down brother. Keep on keeping on
Capone was Chicago, the corleone family is based in New York...
Pacino should have won his first Oscar for this performance. Just impeccable acting throughout. No one else could have portrayed Michael anywhere near as well as Pacino did here.
The Godfather Part III "Coda Final Cut" Is the version you should watch. Coppola went back and fixed some of the issues with the original. I love the original and that too is worth watching, But Coda is definitely a better film all around.
The shot of the boat floating in the lake after Fredo’s death is haunting, especially with the music in the background.
Once Upon A Time In America is a must after The Godfather Trilogy.
Vito killing the black hand: “head shot for the year you better walk around like daft punk”
Hi James. Love your channel.
The way you break down and analyse all the aspects of filmmaking is amazing. My mind echoes nearly everything you say.. only I have never been able to put my thoughts into words the way that you do. You have been blessed with a great gift sir.
Anyway.. if you like the filmmaking in this film then I would highly recommend Once Upon a Time in America - nearly four hours of pure gold! Very similar filmmaking that just also happens to be a gangster drama starring Robert De Niro and directed by Sergio Leone. He also directed the Clint Eastwood Spaghetti Western trilogy to give you an idea of what you’re going into. In my opinion it’s an absolute masterpiece and surpasses even The Godfather.
P.S - Your Sunny reactions 😂
Love from Cornwall
37:55 Tom was telling Frank to take his own life and Frank said he would do it if they looked after his family afterwards.
Terrific reaction.....as always, it kills me that the only one to congratulate Michael on joining the Marines is Fredo.
Been waiting ages for you to appreciate these movies. Best first take I've seen. As you noted, this has everything - I particularly like the role lighting plays throughout, for example.
One aspect you missed (and there are many that we pick up on subsequent rewatches) is the brilliance of De Niro and others portraying Vito, Clemenza, Tessio and Carmela Corleone as younger versions of characters that were so rich in the first part. From Clemenza always eating, to Tessio being more thoughtful, to De Niro gradually developing those ticks and habits that Brando had brought to the old man.
Also, you did spot some of the "parallel" scenes. Almost all key scenes have parallels to similar points in part 1. It's ridiculous how a downfall (in terms of the comparative character arcs) can be told in almost the same way as a rise. Even things like Clemenza supplying both Vito (part 2) and Michael (part 1) with the gun used in their first murders, and father and son having a bedside conversation about following in their footsteps.
Also, did you spot that Vito's Sicilian accomplice Tommasino getting shot in the leg explains his need for a walking stick in part 1 (by which time he's become Don Tommasino)? And of course both young and older Sonny showing his love of boxing as play fighting.
There's so much more.
Btw although many characters and events are based on real life mafiosi (some of which are composites), Clemenza is not Capone - the actual Capone (who was Chicago based) appears in one of the offshoot books, of which some are pretty decent (albeit not quite Puzo's level).
Keep going. Part 3 is viewed more as an addendum (the recent re-edit and rename to "Coda" adds nothing much btw) and has some issues, it does complete the overall portrait.
You got to watch once upon a time in america. The directors cut is 4 hrs 29 minutes but its worth it, trust me.
Yes, I would wholeheartedly agree, it's a masterpiece and I think even greater than Once Upon a Time in the West, Leone's other masterpiece. Ostensibly the film is another gangster film, but Leone's intentions went much deeper than that and to achieve that he played with sequencing in the film. The American distributors wanted an ordinary gangster movie and butchered it removing some of the jumps in time that were so necessary to Leone's intentions and cutting the film down to what they considered a financially viable length. It was an unforgivable act of vandalism.
I think when people say don't watch it they don't mean it in a literal way, but it's just a rather extreme way for letting you know they don't think it compares to the first two films. But maybe you're right because the fact that it predisposes you in a negative way. Great reaction as always, the kiss scene sends me goosebumps.
I love the look Micheal gives his bodyguard Al when he's hugging Fredo at the funeral
You knew Fredo was done in that moment
You mention criticism of the portrayal of Italians by external cinema. Two things. First, these are Sicilians, and for most of the island's history, they have not been part of Italy and were not considered Italian. I can say from personal experience that these films have extremely, almost unbelievably, accurate portrayals of Sicilian culture and family.
The second point is that while the films are American, they were written by Mario Puzo, who also wrote the novel (which I've read most of); and directed by Francis Ford Coppola, who was also the producer of parts II and III and executive producer of Part II.
Moreover, Puzo grew up and lived within the culture he portrayed in the book, and from my personal experience, that portrayal is as accurate as any that's ever been set in print, and is represented faithfully in the films. In fact, this is exactly what makes the story and the films so great and so greatly respected.
Vito's ascent to power and Michael's descent into darkness are brilliantly juxtaposed. Vito was a criminal boss, but he built his empire on loyalty, honor, and family. Michael destroyed all of it with his ruthlessness ultimately killing his own brother. Watching Michael turn into a vengeful zombie is some of the best acting I've ever seen. Also the two men with Young Vito at the table eating were Clemenza and Tessio. Godfather 3 doesn't hold a candle to the other two movies.
Remember Clemenza? From the first movie? The one who drank the big jug of wine and tried to teach michael how to cook etc...thats the mobster who befriended vito when he was younger...clemenza is the one who pointed the gun at the cop and got that rug. And remember Tessio? The traitor from the first movie? He was with vito and Clemenza at dinner here as a younger man as well when Vito offered to take care of everything
After Francis Ford Coppola saw Mean Streets, he wanted Robert De Niro to play the young Godfather.
That’s awesome, legendary casting here!
Mean streets great movie
@@clarkness77 I agree
If you ever get the chance to visit wine country in northern California, Coppolla's winery is home to not only a great restaurant, but SO MANY artifacts from his movies like the Godfather's desk, the suits/costumes from Dracula, etc. It's an absolutely stunning collection of movie memorabilia.
25:50 The story of the Don's neck scar is fully explained is a very dramatic scene which Paramount Pictures was too lazy to scan for the Blu Ray release which is actually just the same scan used for the DVD release. 'The Complete Godfather Saga' is only on VHS and Laser Disc but the scenes can also be found online.
Young Vito's two friends are Clemenza (stocky) and Tessio (eyebrows), his future underbosses. In the first film Tessio is the traitor and Clemenza the guy who teaches Mike to cook (and shoots the rival Boss in the elevator).
when the shot of fireworks behind Vito walking from murder came up and you noticed it, I immediately thought of Killing Them Softly, which has a similar shot (I think, in fact, an hommage to Godfather 2) and man oh man, this is the movie you're gonna loooove watching and dissecting
I love how you are as impressed as you should be.
Little note: When the room gets shot into towards the beginning of the film, Michael elbow-crawls across the floor, which is what infantrymen are trained to do. Showing his war experience.
There's a story -- it may be apocryphal -- about Mario Puzo deciding that, since he was going to be writing so many screenplays he may as well actually teach himself how to do it. Instead of just winging it, like he'd done with The Godfather and The Godfather Part II. So, he bought a book about how to write screenplays, and chapter 1 was "Pacing." The first paragraph was, "If you want to learn about pacing, watch The Godfather Part II." (Apologies if someone eles has already shared this.)
I always felt that if Apalonia lived. Michaels trajectory would have been different. She was Sicilian and like Mikes mother understands her place. Mama helped humanize Don Vito. Kate was fighting Michael every step of the way. Apollonia would have helped guide Michael
Yeah I've thought the same, really Michael, in essence, died with her
Kay fought Michael because he was a crime boss. LOL what is this take? Apollonia would have “guided” him in what way? All the other hits would’ve happened (Sonny), and his father would have died leaving Michael still has the one in charge. So is this guidance to be a “good” crime boss??? A “good” mafioso who would still lead an organization that intimidates people, has them beaten, framed for other crimes, financially destroyed, and murdered? What kind guidance would she have given? Is Kay wrong for not being comfortable with all that and pushing back??? I am so confused with this.
it's more of a cultural aspect, sicilans live that way for centuries so Appolonia would have been able to adapt easily as it was a way of life for them, Kay is american so hence lived a different world so the concept of an "Italian Family'' is alien to her..
@@courtneyvaldez7903 Don Vito did everything for his family to support the family. Vito would have never killed Fredo. He would never have torn his family apart. Also, I always felt that he did want to become legit. He says it multiple times in 3 how he keeps getting pulled back in. Apollonia was more equiped guide him. Just like Mama Corleone steered petitioners to vito
@@ellygoffin4200 You're framing is just so odd, like he was good because he cared about his family. You do realize Vito was still a criminal who would have been guilty of heinous crimes, right? You aren't supposed to see him as some ideal alternative to Michael. He specifically didn't want Michael involved in the criminal enterprise because he didn't want Michael to be corrupted by what it would have him do, which would have corrupted literally everyone else who is involved. These are not good people that the story follows, just different examples of flawed people, that we can empathize with, but should never treat as paragons of humanity, because they aren't.
The two guys with young Vito are his men from Part 1. The guy who you thought looked like Capone is Clemenza from part 1 (Leave the gun, take the cannoli). The other guy is Tessio, the one who was the traitor at the funeral and asked Tom if he could get him off for old times sake.
Copolla didn't want to make a sequel. BUT... the studio made him an offer he couldn't refuse: TOTAL creative control.
The heavy set was young Clemenza
The last hour or so of Godfather II is, no joke, some of my favorite cinema, period. No spoilers, but the crucial scene between Michael and Kay in that hour is my favorite scene in the whole trilogy. One of the few times a woman in this universe successfully exercises power over the man, who has zero control and can’t change anything.
I think you’ll enjoy what I have to say about that scene then!
@@JamesVSCinemaAlso, fun trivia…the first two Godfather movies represent one of only two times in Oscar history that two different actors won for playing the same character.
The scene at the jail, they talk about how traitors were allowed to off themselves, and their families would be taken care of. He was basically telling him that he was a traitor for going to the FBI but if he doesn't go through, his family will be looked after.
1950’s star Troy Donahue plays the small role of Connie’s boyfriend Merle Johnson. The interesting thing is that Merle Johnson is Troy’s real name.
"Good chAAAAAAaange! GOOD change!"
Some people think this surpasses the Original.
That should speak volumes about thier quality
IMO it doesn’t but pt 2 is almost as good
I got to re-watch this on the big screen some months back for its 50th anniversary. 😊😊😊
"Brandon Like Movies" got me into reaction videos... Wish he'd come back. But because of him, I found James, Asia and BJ, Mr Valentine, Vicky, EOM, Cinebinge, Primate, Mr Video and many more... Thanks for what you guys do... You give us the opportunity to view something for the first time again, through your eyes.... Y'all keep me on YT like an addict. Thanks for everything. These reactions make my day.
I believe part 2 is even greater than the first the dual narratives showcasing both the rises of Vito in the past and the rise of Michael in the present day is just brilliant
Thank you, James. Godfather 3 is an excellent quality film. A film worth watching with great characters and wonderful storytelling.
This is an amazing film and is a great continuation as well as prequel to The Godfather. This film deserved every Oscar it won and Al Pacino should have won Best Actor for this. Great to see you watch this James, hope you’re doing well. Have a great day and weekend, take care!
Couldn't agree more! Thanks for the love and you do the same!!
mr robot, better call saul and always sunny bookended with godfather reactions, ... youre KILLING it this week, james.
"He is not his father. He is NOT his father."
Yeah, I've always thought this movie very fascinatingly compared Michael to Vito. Their similarities, in their intelligence, their *cunning* and the parallels are symbolically represented all throughout the structure of the film itself, in jumping back and forth between Vito's and Michael's lives as we see the former's rise and the latter's peak (and insinuation of.. what's to come). Yet there's an extremely SHARP difference we see in how the final flashback contrasts with the opening. Vito starts his life having lost his entire family, and spends his life building a new one, and we see him end surrounded by love. The end flashback shows Michael starting out surrounded by his family but, at least symbolically, rejecting them and typically wanting little to do with them. While he still has custody of his own kids, by pushing Kay out somehow, the final shot of the film lingers on his solitude, which is self-made.
An FYI.....Young Vito Corleone (Robert De Niro) business partners are Young Clemenza(Bruno Kirby) and Young Tessio(John Abrea).
They are having dinner when he tells them he will get "The Black Hand" to take less tax money.
I feel so bad for Fredo in this movie especially. Of all the brothers, he was the least suited for the mafia lifestyle even though he might have been the one who most enjoyed and sought the glitzy trappings and power it provided. Had he been born into a family in the business of running a restaurant or something fairly innocuous like that he would have just remained the bumbling uncle who was given low authority positions and never really got into trouble. Instead because his family's business is Family business, he endangers the lives of Michael and Kay, betrays the memory of his father horribly, and is eventually murdered on the orders of his own brother. It just really speaks to how toxic the life is, it'll get you and your loved ones killed every time.
It's really sad John Cazale died at such a young age. His acting was phenomenal in every movie he was in.
Glad you got to see this work of art!
LOVED your rant about people telling you not to watch it.
I’m Italian and these movies never insulted me or any Italian that I’ve ever known. If someone’s little feelers get hurt by watching this, they certainly cannot be Italian. ☺️
@@grazanita yeah, most mob guys loved these movies. I watched a documentary, about cosa nostra, and an FBI agent, said that often times, when they raided mob guys homes, the godfather, would be playing on their t.v.'s.
@@aryanbrossman604That’s so funny! They don’t make them like they used to, do they?
@@grazanita they sure don't. If you haven't seen it yet, you should watch the series, "the offer", it's about the making of the Godfather. Very interesting and entertaining. By the way, I first got interested in all this mob stuff, when I lived with Italian families, in the Midwest, after I left the military. They were great people, who took me into their homes, and treated me like I was part of the family. I have loved and respected Italian people ever since.
@@aryanbrossman604 Yes, I’ve seen ‘The Offer’ and loved it. Have you mentioned it to James? I bet he’d like it. That’s so nice that you got to experience Italian home life. There’s nothing more fun than being around Italians when they’re celebrating, if you know what I mean. Good times. 🍷🥃🥃🍷
@@grazanita good idea, I think I will mention it to him. I do know what you mean, and yes it was good times. You should mention the offer to him as well.
It has been suggested that the scene where Tom Hagen visits Frankie Pentangele in prison, he slips him a razorblade. This is their way to say "thank you for your silence, now do the honorable thing and take your own life"
If Pentangele had not committed suicide, the Corleones would surely have found a way to kill him in a way more brutal fashion, and Frankie knew this.
Maybe that is the subtext you are looking for.
Before I saw these films, I also thought they were potentially insulting. After seeing them, I was amazed how certain aspects parallel my family's history. This movie makes me cry. The entire immigration scene with young Vito makes me think of my young great grandfather who immigrated here from Sicily with his mother during the same timeframe (his father had immigrated the year before). I can't help but think about what they had to have experienced at Ellis Island. Like Vito, my family joined the mafia, though they never became dons. My grandfather realized that world wasn't for him when he went with his dad on a bootlegging run. He watched his dad drop a man in Boston Harbor during a chase and was freaked out. He, like Michael, joined the military. Fought in WWII, got out, opened a pub and the mob started trying to recruit him. Unlike Michael, he stayed away and went back in the military. Had to put his uncle in his place at my great grandmother's funeral (he came looking for money to get himself out of trouble). My grandfather managed to keep them away for the rest of his life. When I was little, I remember us receiving some strange phone calls (from numbers even the operator said were always making and receiving strange calls).
Marlon Brando was originally supposed to be in the final birthday scene, but he pulled out at the last minute so Coppola had to rewrite Vito out of it. I'm actually glad he didn't show up because the scene works so much better the way it is. Showing Michael sitting alone at the table really highlighting that he has always felt like the black sheep of the Corleone family. Except in this scene he's alone because he chose to go against the family by deciding to fight in WW2, and by the end he's alone because his lust for power has alienated everyone around him, either by killing them like Fredo or driving them away like Kay. I think the juxtaposition of those two final scenes of Michael at Vito's birthday and sitting on the chair in the garden, really do show that for his entire life, Michael has always been alone.
There are 2 versions of ´´The Godfather 3´´, the second one is called ´´CODA´´ or ´´The Death of Michael Corleone´´and appeared 4 years ago. They switched the order of one scene, supressed one at the beginning and made more graphic an execution.
I love that you love Amadeus so dang much. I'm a little biased as a classically trained pianist & composer. But I wholeheartedly agree with you it is as top shelf as you can get, totally deserving of all its awards. F. Murry Abraham's performance of Salieri is one of my favorite overall role depictions of all time.
"First of all, you can't tell me what to do" -> Why I like James
That last family scene there shows that Michael was the real outsider of the family.