THE GODFATHER PART 2 (1974) MOVIE REACTION - INCREDIBLE PERFORMANCES! - First Time Watching - Review
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- Опубліковано 1 гру 2023
- Welcome to our first-time reaction to The Godfather Part II (1974) movie. Francis Ford Coppola did it again! He delivered an iconic film that expands on the epic saga of the Corleone family.
"The Godfather Part II" continues the saga of the Corleone family, exploring the parallel stories of Michael Corleone's rise to power and the early life of his father, Vito Corleone. We have to give a huge shout-out to the incredible performances that both Al Pacino and Robert De Niro delivered in this phenomenal film. The line delivery and the attention to physicality makes every single gaze have a deeper meaning and an intention behind it.
We hope you enjoy our reaction, commentary and discussion as we experience for the first time why this film had a huge impact on the crime genre, what makes the performances so powerful and why this film only elevates what came before it cementing itself as a huge part of the Godfather legacy. From the incredibly calculated cinematography to the fantastic character development we'll discuss all of the elements that make The Godfather Part II an unforgettable cinematic experience and a classic of the crime drama genre.
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#TheGodfatherPartII #TheGodfather #Reaction #TheMediaKnights - Розваги
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The big difference between Vito and Michael is how they handled Fredo. Vito was not willing to have Fredo killed, despite being shot and almost killed because of Fredos incompetence. As a result, Vito is not burdened with the guilt and regret that Michael has for the rest of his life. The wife beaters hate Part 3 because it has the most moral clarity of all three films and uses that moral judgment on Michael to provide a true ending that the first two films don't have. Amoral people prefer the moral ambiguity of the first two films because they seem to validate their own lives. Moral people love Part 3 because it does clarify the moral ambiguity of the first two films. It definitely looks like the last two films are designed by Coppola to be a social experiment on the values held by mainstream audiences.
Can we say how brilliant John Cazale was as Fredo. One of the best actors of my generation, taken far too early. Please for the love of film watch the Deerhunter!!!
People poop on part three, but the ending is good too.
Until this day. I did not know that was Lee starsburg.... The method guy. I knew about him. I just didn't know Hiram roth was starsburg.
Wow...
Vito had all the three qualities that his three sons only possessed one of; Sonny's ruthlessness, Michael's brains, and Fredo's heart.
All those qualities combined into one person, that person is gonna go far.
yeah because michael wasnt ruthless? he only killed his own brother. not to mention he wiped out all of his enemies lol
@@blackshade1840 This man payed such a serious price to get where he is at the end of this movie. One can't wonder if he's destined for Hell.
Sonny was all about emotion and a nearly uncontrollable temper, not so much "ruthlessness"
@@alonenjersey Hell? Okay, assuming you believe in that, I'd say offhand they all bought a one way ticket there.
So, the reason Vito realized Fanucci was a fake: he told his pals to give him less than what they were told. If Fanucci was an actual mobster or had actual power, he wouldn't have taken the small amount of money he was given. But he did. And Vito's suspicions were confirmed when he followed him and saw he lived in a shithole of an apartment.
Another reason: Fanucci always traveled alone. A real mob boss would always be flanked by guards.
Also in the book, Vito knew that Fanucci was attacked by some street thugs and got his throat cut buy survived. Which is the knife scar we see on his throat. ------ That's what happens when you do roll with an entourage and you do the enforcing yourself.
@@lethaldose2000The scene was actually filmed, but didn't make it to the movie, it is in the dvd box set in the bonuses.
I think the church the very beginning in Sicily is the same church where Michael got married to Apollonia.
Connie is Rocky's wife! She is a Coppola/Cage! Her husband in the first, is still alive, has been mob ties all this time, and has written books covering who killed JFK RFK and Marilyn, and why! And has never been sued by the Kennedy family! We knowost sequels arent as good as the first, and a handful are as good. This proly one of about 10 or less, where the sequel is better!And one of the funniest movies ever done is called, The Freshman! Marlon and the young partner of marlon in this, Clemenza, ( also in Good morning Vietnam, When Harry met Sally, City Slickers)basically mimic their roles, and the star is Matthew Broderick!!! And fredo was in some of the biggest movies of the 70s and early 80s with either Robert or Al. Dog Day Afternoon, the deer hunter, these two movies, and others. Everything that bad happens in this movie, is because of Roth. Simple rumor and innuendo, caused fredo, tessio, frankie, etc., to do what they did. The guy testifying in court, is Rocky's first boss! One of Frankie's asassin guys, was in Do the Right Thing, and The Professional and many other great movies. Danny Aiello. The FBI agent has been in every movie since the silent era 😅 dillinger, this, red dawn, green mile, Alien etc. Harry Dean Stanton! The difference between Vito and Michael is, vito did all decisions, and spent all his time, immediate blood family first. Michael put mob family first. Ues frankie did the hit, but based on roth telling him, Michael was going with the Rosatto brothers.When connie asked Michael to forgive Fredo and he hugged him, he was going to. But when Michael looked up and saw Neri, and Neri kind of lowered his head in disappointment, Michael knew he had to kill Fredo. Pro tip...the towel catching on fire, not planned!😮😮😮😮
If you pay close attention, you'll remember that in the first film, Michael was sheltered in Sicily by Don Tommasino, who used a wheelchair and had to use canes to walk. Then in this film when Vito returns to Sicily as a grown man and visits Don Ciccio who murdered his family, he goes there with a friend referred to as Tomassino, who gets blasted in the legs by a shotgun when they escape. That's how Don Tommasino ended up in a wheelchair. He turns up again in Part III too.
Very few reactors pick up on this.
What a catch! I had wondered what happened to the guy who got shot in the leg. Don Vito was a standup guy for going back for him after he was hit and down and helping him get to the car. He didn't abandon him.
Nice. Never caught that! thanks!
Time stamp?
I checked and only just realized that the shooting of Tommasino is skipped in this UA-cam cut, but it was just before 55:50 when he and Vito escaped from Don Ciccio's villa.
Here's something interesting someone else pointed out:
The Godfather saw Vito's reign and the beginning of Michael's.
The Godfather 2 followed Michaels reign and Vito's beginnings.
Wow, what a wonderful dynamic between each film!! So cool!
When you realize that it was Sonny who introduced Connie to Carlo 😬
It's all in the book
O wow. I never caught that!
yeah it hit even more
@@vdoggydogg3922the book is like 10,000 pagis long
@@vdoggydogg3922 Correct.
The most heartwrenching moment for me is in the last scene...when Michael tells everyone he joined the Marines...
The only one to support him in the moment...was Fredo.
Michael became what Vito hated the most. It's like a black mirror. You think Vito would have killed his own brother? Do you think that's what he would have wanted Michael to do? Hell no.
Don Ciccio got the last laugh after all. Vito's son became just like him. "I don't want to wipe everyone out, just my enemies." Echos what Don Ciccio said in the beginning
Exactly
Yeah, I was surprised they didn’t see Coppola’s message.
It’s almost as if they got manipulated by the character of Michael as he manipulated everyone around him.
Michael sealed his own fate. He was ruthless, merciless and cruel. Everything that happened to him was his own doing, period.
Killing all the heads of the other families including the two families that had absolutely nothing to do with harming the Corleone family.
Killing his own brother over a mistake. They even kinda gaslighted the situation thinking that Fredo secretly hoped that Michael would be assassinated which isn’t in his character writing at all.
Michael simply wiped out the competition without any thought of repercussions.
Again, everything that happened to him was his own doing.
Michael was ultimately a horrible Don. And that is the point of the Godfather films. Vito would have hated Michael for what he did to the family, shattering it into pieces for his own sake.
They didn’t see it. But that’s the power of film. We sometimes root for the bad guy because we see his perspective. Forgetting to see the perspective of everyone else.
Michael killed his family. Coppola put the last close up of Michael as a display of regret and remorse.
What an interesting take. Fredo had been a liability his whole life. Standing there as his father got shot, manipulated into almost getting Michael and the kids killed. You say Vito would have never killed him. But at what point does his gullability cross the line from being a nuisance to being a fatal flaw? His resentment at being passed over almost got his family killed. His feelings were more important than the fact that Michael was clearly a better choice to lead the family than him.
So were it ever to come out that Fredo was the inside man, and Michael spared him, how would his lieutenants feel about that? Men who'd killed people on Michael's order for a million times lesser crimes than betraying the family?
Coppola doesn't seem to be making a statement on whether Michael was a good or bad don. He seems to be making a statement that actions have consequences. Vito obviously can't be held up as the model for how a don should be, because he was outmanovered by Barzini and Tattaglia, to the point that he lost a son and had to rely on Michael, who wasn't even in the family business to save him. It was nothing but pure luck that saved Michael from a car bomb in Sicily. They are all just men who have flaws. Vito admits as much to Sollozzo - he indulges his children. He was soft enough to allow Connie to marry Carlo which eventually led to Sonny's murder. Michael was so hard that he couldn't show mercy to his own brother. I don't see how you can draw the conclusion that either one of them had it all figured out. The only reasonable conclusion I can see is that when you make family into a business, you can't keep your family separate from the business. And if that business is a dirty business, your family will get stained as well.
John Cazale that plays Fredo is an amazing actor. He tragically died only 42 years old but in his short movie career he was in Godfather 1&2, Deer Hunter and Dog Day Afternoon. That's a pretty nice resume of movies!
Winner of 6 Oscars including Best Picture, it was the first sequel in film history to win an Oscar.
What a fantastic film indeed!
@@OfficialMediaKnights so will you guys react to the third movie?? don't listen to others that is the end of the trilogy so try it.
The thing I love most about ur reactions is how u can put out over an hour of content. Most reactions on UA-cam are like 20 to 40mins to a 3hr movie! which just doesn't give it any justice. U guys just deliver every time. Thank you ❤️
Awww thank you so much, that's honestly so kind of you!! You always show up to support us and it means the world! We're so glad to have you with us!
Other channels use 20 to 40 mins. of reaction to avoid the copyright strikes.
@@LuckySmurf this is why I love them even more. They go the extra mile.
@@LuckySmurf Kinda surprised they got away with it. I've seen channels cut all 3 movies it into 2 parts videos to get around it.
So true. I love that too about you two. 20-40 minutes reaction istn enough for a long story movie like that. ❤️
The guy who took Vito to steal the rug was Peter Clemenza, the "leave the gun, take the Cannoli" guy from the first movie. The third guy in the trio with young Vito was Salvatore Tessio, the guy who tries to betray Michael in the first movie.
The actor playing Peter Clemenza was Bruno Kirby. He was such a great character actor. He was in so many fantastic films. He died to early at the age of 57 from leukemia.
Who was the guy with Vito in his office when the landlord visited?
@@huskyfaninmass1042Genco Abbandando
I still don’t know what happened to Clemenza since he didn’t appear in second film
@@tvalokibatman6563 Heart attack in-between the first and second films. He was originally supposed to be in "2", but his actor declined to return and thus they created the Frank Pentangelli role to film Clemenza's part in the film. Yes, originally, Clemenza was supposed to be the one manipulated into betraying Michael, which would have compounded the tragedy of the film.
There is no doubt Godfather is absolutely masterpiece but Godfather part 2 has a different gravitas interms of dialogue and interaction every one has and it totally allows the viewer to feel the weight.... Iconic movie ❤
The dialogue was incredibly well written!
@@OfficialMediaKnights one of the WORST things anyone can do is receive The Kiss Of Death.... It is the worst thing because it puts you in the category of Judis Escariot the one who betrayed Yeshua Jesus Christ...... A for someone like Fredo isn't heartbreaking.
@@OfficialMediaKnights you really have to understand the pressure Mike Corleone was going through finding out what Fredo did....
@@OfficialMediaKnights Be sure to watch part III The EXTENDED REDUX EDITION. It's not as good as this and part ONE, But it does close the chapter of this family pretty well.
Man, the movie was so good I didn't even realize it was 3 hours long. A movie has to be fantastic to pull that off for me.
Yooo that's facts, the pacing and tension was absolutely fantastic!! What a great sequel!
The thing Is I use to watch this movie before school and after several times didn't even realize it was 3 hours all of them are about that lol they go by so smooth
The scene where Diane Keaton delivers the news about what happened to their son will never not crush me. It's one of the most devestating displays of raw anger I've ever seen, and she played it beautifully. And the way Michael just fumed and she had space to say her piece. Absolutely Chilling. I hope you guys check out part 3. It's not as good as the first two, but it does expand the lore of the movies you already like so I think it's worth it for real fans.
Best slap in movie history, next to full metal jacket, right side Left side,
Part 3s ending scene with Michael on the church steps was cathartic to say the least. All that emotion he’d been holding back for decades just erupting like that - I genuinely thought Paccino was going to have a stroke or an aneurysm during that scene.
She's the only poor performance for me, so wooden
Do not watch III
@@pairofpintsShe was supposed to be like that
If you wanna know more of Coppola's filmography outside The Godfather trilogy, check out a lesser known one called The Conversation, with Gene Hackman and John Cazale (aka Fredo). Then watch Apocalypse Now! That movie will show you Robert Duvall's range as an actor.
Just a side note: John Cazale acted in only five films before he died, tragically young. All 5 were nominated for Best Film of the Year: both Godfather films, The Conversation, Dog Day Afternoon, and the Deer Hunter. He's great in all of them.
I completely agree 10,000%. That's what people used to watch next before the lame third GF in the sell-out 90s. Those two movies, and/or Dog Day Afternoon/Serpico. Etc etc. It's such a great launching off point for all these great actors. You can literally go through each actor and do their other great 70s movies, be they Duvall.....or Diane! And then there's who their competition was: Nicholson, Hoffman, Hackman...and that's just the guys! mama mia, what a time!
apocalypse now is a great film. despite being 43, i watched it for the first time this year, and holy cow. I found out that the scene at the start with Mike Sheen where he was rinkingin the hotel room was all real, he got really drunk and actually mashed his hand open and all the blood was real. after the scene he went missing and was found walking down the middle of the road at night and had a had a stroke i think or a heart attack. just knowing that was what made me watch it. and wow, what a flick. Plus Larry Fishburne's first movie,he was barely recognisable from the guy that becomes Morpheus. I already knew him as the dad from Boyz in the Hood (theres a film they might enjoy) but he'll always be Morpheus.sorry, adhd brain. but yeah, apocalypse now is great
The reason these two movies feel like one big story is because the backstory of Vito Corleone is part of the first novel. They didn't use it in the first film, choosing instead to use it here for the second movie. That's why it all feels so organic. For those that read the book, Vito's backstory was always part of the first film. It was a brilliant decision to save it for the second film, especially considering at the time they had no idea they would ever make a second film.
You two are the smartest, most observant film reactors on UA-cam. Your attention to details like cinematography, acting performances, and all of the nuance of a truly great film are a pleasure to see. Super excited whenever you upload a reaction to a film worth watching. Well done.
Ahh man! Thank you for the massive compliment and for your time. It means the world to us to hear you’ve been enjoying these!
The solitary peacefulness from Michael.....
....Mirrors Vito as a child, when he was shipped to America all alone.
Movie is, and gets deeper everytime you watch it
To this day, I don’t understand how Al Pacino did not win the Oscar for this role.
Just plain serious competition.
Love the ending, how at the end of the birthday Michael sits alone, and the end of the movie he's all alone.
What a way to end the twolagy.
Fun fact: The part of Frankie Pentangeli was originally supposed to be Clemenza, but negotiations broke down so they renamed and recast the role. (It's mentioned in the movie that Clemenza has died since the events of the first film.)
Michael lied to Kay at the end of the first film, and he lies to her throughout this one. But one has to keep in mind that he doesn't _want_ to lie to her. That's why he insisted the first time she asked, that she not meddle in his business. He wanted their relations to stay honest and that could only happen if she didn't pry. But being an American woman, she does pry, which leads to his having to lie to her. His mother never, ever asked about the Don's business - being Sicilian, she knew perfectly well not to get involved because that could compromise her husband's life. But Kay doesn't have that "home training", that knowledge that is gained through osmosis, so her misstep starts a chain of dishonesty. Micheal's cold and ruthless, but he never wanted to be dishonest with his wife; he wanted his real family to stay a real family, but it was not to be. The two worlds couldn't coexist, so it fell apart. He loses his real family and is stuck with his cold, ruthless business family, all warmth gone.
Aside from Michael's presence, the events in Cuba are portrayed very close to what actually happened. Michael witnesses the Revolution and Castro's takeover, which of course strips him and Roth and all the others of their investments and property. All those "wonderful things" Roth crowed about were the very reason it all collapsed to abruptly. You can only push people so far before they fight back.
The hearing at which Micheal testifies and to which he brings Pentangeli's brother from Sicily, is based on the Mafia hearings of the 50's. The framing and setup are directly from photographs of the hearings, just as the crime scenes in the first film were based on photos of actual Mafia hits of the 40's.
The actor who played Don Roberto, the landlord that Vito terrifies into letting the widow stay in her apartment, was a standup comedian from Italy. All of the business with the door was a prank that Coppola played on him. He told the guy by the door to lock it after Roberto comes in, to see what he would do when the door wouldn't open. He handled it like a pro, of course, playing up the actual difficulty and turning it into a golden comic bit - everything he says and does after getting to the door is improv.
Tom's protests that killing Roth was impossible because "it would be like trying to kill the President" is ironic because the President was indeed killed not long after he said it. Also, the framing of Roth's killing is based on the killing of Lee Harvey Oswald in custody after he assassinated JFK. (This film was grounded as much as possible in the reality of the period.)
ETA; For my money, the best shot in the film is Clemenza pointing his gun at the policeman's shadow, when he and Vito are stealing the rug. That shot is iconically beautiful.
The part of Clemenza was played by the late Bruno Kirby. He can be seen in "When Harry Met Sally..."
Bruh nobody's reading essay😭😭😭 chill bro just a movie
I read it.@@bendover-bz4bc
@clarencewalker3925 - No, Clemenza was played by Richard S. Castellano, a famous old character actor. Google it.
@@bendover-bz4bc I love reading essays like a nerd, now scram.
"My answer is this, nothing." One of my favorite lines over all these years!
It’s amazing both Pacino & DeNiro never interacted in this movie. It wasn’t until the movie _Heat_ (1995) they both finally interacted and it was epic!
They should definitely react to Heat!
@@joeybossolo7 I second this. One of my fav reaction channels.
I this this! Or I'll walk away in 30 seconds!
They interacted again in the Irishman alongside with Joe Pesci and Martin Scorsese
The diner scene in Heat was the best scene on the movie.
I love how you put incredible performances in the title. Al Pacino in this movie is probably the best performance in the history of movies. The scene where he learns about the abortion is probably the best minute of acting in any movie ever. The way he becomes completely evil and
loses his soul is magnificent acting. And the fact he can dial that back at the end and become an idealistic young man is probably the best part of his performance. Robert De Niro was also good too, lol.
Ive watched this so many times, I lost count. Theres always something new to admire about this story and the way it was filmed. love it.
The scene at their mothers funeral, when Michael is hugging Fredo, shows the ruthlessness of his character better than any other scene. Even the ice-cold hitman Al Neri feels remorse when Michaels tells him, just with his look alone, what he has to do now.
The great Lee Strasberg was Al Pachino’s former acting teacher. He was the one who suggested that he be given the role of Roth.
Yess!! We've both actually been lucky enough to study the technique of Method Acting with people who were taught by the great Lee Strasberg himself , so seeing him pop up in this movie was such an immense pleasure! We're so glad he pushed for Al Pacino, he did a spectacular job in this!
@@OfficialMediaKnightsthe commenter meant Pacino pushed for straberg
@@OfficialMediaKnights This was only Strasberg's 3rd film role, and his most recent role was 21 years before GFII.
Tom tells Frankie's brother in Italian "All is well, the honor of your family is intact". Meaning, all Frankie had to do was look at his brother to remember their code & way of life, which was to never talk to the police or rat out their own family, period.
Very few people pick up on that. Well done.
Yes…omertà
This code was based on omertà-i.e., is a Southern Italian code of silence and code of honor and conduct that places importance on silence in the face of questioning by authorities or outsiders; non-cooperation with authorities, the government, or outsiders, especially during criminal investigations. Seeing his old school older brother walk into the government hearings reminded Frankie Five Angels and he was disgracing his family.
The Sicilian word omu "man"… “manliness”
Southern Italian code: All the political power/elites was located in the north.
There's a line in Part 3 that goes something like: Michael "Just as I thought I was out, they dragged me back in". This encapsulates the moments in the journeys of both Vito and Michael when they could have made a different choice other than the ones they did. Choosing to follow the expectations of the tribe. Ignoring their faint inner voice telling them that maybe they could be better.
Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in
And just about the only good part from that abortion of a movie.......
@@TeddyKGB12it wasn’t a bad movie. Just wasn’t a masterpiece like the first two
@@Nathanizbeast It's trash. Pacino forgot who he was playing. No Tom/replacement was terrible. The incest angle. And worst of all..........Sophia Coppola and her terrible acting, whiney, raspy voice, and that giant schnoz that's so big it looks like it's going to come out of the screen and attack you.
Great job...Now that you reacted to both movies I want to point out some of the trivia associated with the characters..Hyman Roth was playing the quasi role of Meyer Lansky, the Jewish gangster know as the accountant a partner of Lucky Luciano, Moe Greene Was Bugsy Siegel the man who invented Las Vegas and was actually murdered by getting shot in the eye., Johnny Fontaine was Frank Sinatra and that war movie where he basically had to act like himself was "From Here to Eternity" where Sinatra an Italian kid from Jersey played DiMaggio an Italian kid from New Jersey....finally the scene when Sonny got shot at the toll booth he was listening to a ballgame...that game was the infamous 1951 Giants vs. the Dodgers playoff game.
Frank Pentangeli is such a great character. He is nicknamed "Frankie Five Angels" from his last name, the Greek word penta ("five") and the Italian word angeli ("angels").
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 murdered Ciccio.
Robert de Niro and Al Pacino. Two of the three best male Actors of all Times (in my Eyes) in one Film. Surely a masterpiece.
Robert De Nero and Al Pacino are the legendary Mafia bosses that can dominate the whole organized crime 💚💚💚 Lovely guys ❤❤❤ Thanks for the video
Some excellent performances here from both of them! They dominate every scene they are in with an incredible energy and line delivery that is spot on 👏
These two installments of the Godfather saga can be used to teach full courses in film studies, there is so much to unpack. Coppola demonstrates his mastery of storytelling. I'll only mention a few things. The story behind Lee Strasberg getting his role is worth looking into. Never believe anything Michael tells you, he has gone from honesty and integrity in his youth to deception and manipulation effortlessly. Also, recall Michael is a third child so his anger at what he considers the murder of his own third child is apparent. Lastly, so glad you are watching the director's version which shows the parallels of Michael and his father. Happy you are both enjoying this so much.
The combination of the dialogue, acting and photography come together to make a whole much greater than even those stellar ingredients. And the pauses between dialogue express as much as the verbal communication.
Masterpiece ever. Great
Indeed, this is such a masterfully crafted film!!
Was literally searching your channel after watching part 1 reaction and this showed up!❤
Haha wow that's fantastic timing!! Hope you enjoy!
Can't wait to see more of you guys. Just discovered the channel with part 1 reaction. Loved it! Hope to see more and starting with part 3 soon🤣
This was the best reaction to Godfather 2 I've ever seen. Thank you.
I just love how you guys pick all the similarities and things mirroring themselves. I always admired them myself. I also think about all 3 movies as a rondo. It's a music term when the main theme keeps coming over and over again. Like, all 3 parts start with family celebrations and dancing, all have Don Tomassino from Sicily, and all have the hospital and church scenes. And all 3 parts show how a man becomes who he becomes. I can talk about this movie forever. Can't wait to watch the last part with you guys!
Michael's vision of the family is a twisted upside-down perversion of all the hard work Vito put into building it. Every relationship his father had either turned on Michael or Michael wanting to be one -step ahead got rid of them, which is basically encapsulated with that final shot of Michael pensive, all by himself.
Because once Vito went down their was a power vacuum and each of the 5 families were going to the capos basically saying you have our backing if you make a move so the capo would lead the coreleone family kinda under that other boss. Vito warned Michael it would happen so he had a contingency plan for it. It wasnt his twisted vision its how he was forced to take over and fr that it changed how he trusted the guys brought in with his dad because they werent all loyal to him but his father.he had to sift through. Michaels vision in the end imo far surprised vitos family.
Yes!!! My favorite movie analysts!
Let's see your take on this masterpiece! 😊
Thank youuu, we hope you enjoy!! Thank you so much for your kindness and support!
I put my little comment to tell you that your reactions are the best because I really feel you invested in this, not only emotionally but culturally as well, interested by the lights, the sound, the dynamic in the scenes and in the editing. Now it's obvious to me that you will try Part 3 to conclude the trilogy. If you do so, I strongly advise you to check the theatrical cut (Part III) and not the most recent one (CODA). The most recent one has some improvement but the end is also changed. And the end of Part 3 was perfect whatever people say about the movie. The association of the music, the dancing crossfade, the face, the very last cut... No finale in cinema history has ever reached this level of "devastation" (to quote Denise) ever since. You can check CODA after to compare, but as the first experience, theatrical cut all the way.
You guys are seriously the most astute reactors! It's a thrill to be in your company.
That was a great reaction to one of the best sequels ever made. Hoping you will go on to watch the 3rd instalment, which seems to divide opinion (even Coppolla did a redux version a few years ago!) but which I think brings the story full circle and to a bitter end. Fun fact: When Mario Puzo, who wrote the original novel (which is brilliant and, amazingly, with more depth to characters' stories and backstories than the films), was asked to write the screenplays for Godfather 1 and 2. He managed it even though he had never done one before but, when the films collected so many oscars, he felt it was time to learn to screenwrite. So he bought a 'How to..." book and found, on the first few pages, that it advised readers who wanted to see a perfect script in action to "watch The Godfather".
Best reactors Ive found. Smart & totally engaged & pick up on all the different aspects of whatever theyre watching. & just cool, down to earth people with good taste
This was such a sweet comment, thank you so much for your support!! So glad to have you with us and that you're enjoying our content!
I've never said this before I don't think but I love the WAY you two watch movies. Not just the story or actors, but the lighting, the direction, the shot setups, the small mannerisms. This is how I tend to watch films and I really enjoy your reactions. Al Pacino may be a crazy old guy now, but these movies are proof that he is a brilliant actor.
✌💖😃
So interesting how young Vito built his power through gathering people around him, inspiring their trust and love. Michael, trying to hold power, loses all those connections, and shows a coldness and a willingness to go his own way (even in the retrospective scene at the end) that makes him ruthlessly efficient, but losing all those connections. Fantastic movie. I tend to prefer the sequel, but why quibble between two great films
Don Tomassino, the man in the white shirt who helped Michael while he was in exile in the first film. He walked with a limp then because of what happened during the killing of Don Ciccio. He was shot in the leg with a shotgun and limped as a result. Always thought that was cool to include, the Tomassino/Corleone relationship runs deep.
Hyman Roth was based on real life gangster Meyer Lansky who was caught on an FBI bug saying "We're bigger than US Steel". Also Johnny Ola was based on gangster Vincent Alo.
In case you guys don't know why Michael kissed Fredo, that is known as the "Sicilian Kiss of Death" that they would give their loved ones before they later kill them.
i didn’t know that . Makes sence now…💀
I really enjoy your reactions, your chemistry with each other, your commentary, and the overall vibe. Thank you!
Michael's hug to Fredo at the funeral. Was a hug goodbye.
Part 2 was a much bigger production from the 1st one. Twice the budget and they filmed in the dominican rep (for cuba), nevada, NY, Florida and Sicily. Part 1 they never actually filmed in vegas with the cast. All the indoors were in NY and the outside was 2nd unit shots. Ditto for the Hollywood scenes. So part 2 was pretty grand and Francis didn't have to worry about looking over his shoulder about budgets or his own job security in part 2. He earned full control from the 1st film.
The fade to black transition at 42:50 was where the intermission was in the original cinema release of the movie
I had completely forgotten that there were intermissions in the theater for BOTH of the first two Godfather installments. Lol, those were the days! Thanks for the reminder and fun walk down memory lane.
Another excellent commentary guys! Made my morning.
That means the world to us! Thank you for watching ❤️
Master class film making and acting...the scene where mike hears fredo and realized fredo betrayed him..wow.
Watch the detailed analysis of the Godfather on my channel!
The reason Anthony didn't go to his Mom during her visit is that he was in the hall outside of the room when Mike, and Kay were arguing. He heard everything Kay said; especially when she said she wouldn't bring another Son into this world.
Hey Denise and Ari, we romanticize Vito as doing his acts to provide for his family since he's starting from much more humble mean. --------- What we don't see is Vito being truly ruthless and vicious, during the Mob wars of 1933 during the Post Prohibition era. --------- Which eventually created the 5 families of New YOrk. -------- I hope and pray one day the rise of Vito gets made. by a Chris Nolan or Danny Boyle that would be an amazing cap to the Godfather saga.
I must admit. Out of all the reactors yours are the most enjoyable, well paced, and intelligent.....keep it up.
This is such a huge compliment, thank you! It means the world to us to have your support, we appreciate you!
You guys appreciated the lighting in the first one, so I flipped through your vids for Taxi Driver, but didn't see it. If you haven't seen it yet I know you'll love it.
36:59 watch how after Rocco goes out the sliding door, he turns and watches through the doorway until Tom moves from behind Micheal, showing that he's the consummate bodyguard.
Great reaction, guys. This movie is before my time, but it's one of my favorites. Btw, the $2 Million cash that Fredo was carrying in the suitcase in Cuba in 1957 just days prior to the 1957 Cuban revolution (in which Fidel Castro seized power in Cuba as a brutal Communist Dictator)...in today's dollars in 2023, that $2 Million cash in 1957 is equivalent to $22 Million in cash today in 2024.
And I learned an interesting factoid in the past few years about this movie. It turns out that the actor, John Cazale, who plays Fredo Corleone (Michael's older brother) died only a few short years after this movie, in 1978 at the age of 42 from cancer. I understand that he was a great guy in real life. He left behind a fiance who loved him dearly...she was an up-and-coming Hollywood actress at that time. Her name is Meryl Streep. 💜
Agreed, its hard if impossible to decide which is better. I love these.
I loved your reaction to the first movie and have been waiting for your reaction to Godfather 2. You are so entertaining and insightful. I thoroughly enjoy your reactions. Keep up the great work!
This means the world to both of us! Thank you for showing some love and support ❤️
I've been waiting for a reaction to this film from you. You didn't disappoint. Great video!
I'm excited to see when y'all react to the Godfather III!
Hey Denise and Ari, the reason Vito knew definition was not a real gangster comes from the fact that when he was younger Vito knew that for Fanucci was jumped by some street thugs and got his throat cut which is the score we see on his neck. ------ Then fanucchi didn't roll with an entourage of bodyguards to hold his back. ------ Another Tell-Tale sign is when Vito offers the lower payment to Fanucci, most gangsters would have taken that as a sign of disrespect I immediately and dished out retribution. Vito almost died at the hand of Sicilan gangsters from. ----- He knew what the real thing look like and Fanucci was nowhere close to the level of gangster the Vito had seen first hand
Thank you for your insight on that particular interaction! We love how this film just lets moments play out and let us figure out what exactly is happening!
Hey Denise and Ari, You guys are loving the demenor of Vito in the flashbacks. ------- Just know, "The Godfather III" was supposed to be the rise of Vito. --------- It got sidelined and Coppola eventually decided to finish the story of Michael Corleone instead. ------ Seeing Michael surrounded by his enemies having to be cold and ruthless.
Can’t wait to watch part III!
Absolutely love this reaction video, Im always tuned in !
Wow thank you so much for your support, we are so glad you're enjoying our content!
You guys are excellent at movie reactions.
Thank you so much, we appreciate your support!
I truly enjoy the length and depth of your reactions. The “look backs” at younger Vito were a great part of this movie combined with Deniro’s ltalian scenes showed how he had spent months learning and practicing the language of the period.
Oh shit. I was afraid you weren't getting to this. Awesome!
Haha thank you for your patience, we are so glad we finally got around to doing this! We hope you enjoy!
I loved your reactions to these two movies, and I'm looking forward to Part 3. When you said that each movie provided context for each other, I couldn't agree more. I was actually noticing that during your reactions. For example, during the assassination attempt against Vito in the first movie, Fredo jumps out of the car to defend his father and drops his gun. Nobody but the camera saw that, but it adds to our assessment of him as incompetent. In the final scene of the second movie, we learn that it was Sonny who introduced Carlo to the family, providing additional context for Carlo's role in Sonny's death.
Another parallel that really struck me was a theme in the first movie where both Sonny and Fredo made the mistake of speaking their mind in a meeting. Sonny openly disagrees with his dad about joining the drug trade, which is what convinces Solozzo to try to kill Vito and let Sonny take over. Then, the events of the second movie seem to cascade from the disagreement between Fredo and Michael in a similar meeting about the casinos. If Fredo had solidly backed Michael instead of siding with Mo Greene, I wonder if Roth would still have sensed an opportunity to divide them.
I'm not sure which I prefer myself, Part 1 or Part 2. I really love the story telling for Part 2, though. The parallels with what is usually dubbed as "The Rise of Vito Corleone" and "The Fall of Michael Corleone" really make the film work. It's my favorite aspect of Part 2.
If you guys decide to watch Godfather 3 do know that it got a LOT of mixed opinions at it's initial release. It's not really well favored among major Godfather fans. I do believe, though, that there are currently 3 different versions of the film out...the Theatrical Version of course from 1990, the 1991 Version titled the "Final Director's Cut", and then there's the 30th Anniversary recut from 2020 which was given the title "CODA: The Death of Michael Corleone". I've only seen the 1991 Director's Cut and I can honestly say it's not as good as the first 2, but I still enjoyed it. I haven't seen the 2020 CODA recut as of yet, but Coppola has gone on record stating that this recut is the one he and Mario Puzo (the original book author) had originally envisioned, and that it "vindicates" its status in the Godfather trilogy. So, this may be something to keep in mind to determine which version y'all want to react to. I, personally, am excited to watch the CODA recut on my own, and hopefully soon! :)
Same here! Both of these films are absolutely amazing. We do want to watch the third one! Trying to decide which version we should watch. I guess CODA makes the most sense because it's the final cut and we tend to do those. But I don't know how many people have watched that specific cut vs the theatrical. I guess we'll do a poll!
I think one of them leaves our a very specific scene with Michael at the very very end that's pretty important imho. I don't want to spoil, but imho this short few seconds adds a lot.
Watch the coda. It makes the film so much better. I thought the original theatrical release was a good film but not a great one. The coda really elevated it in my opinion.
@@Sgt_Glory The scene you refer to is preferred by me. Its metaphorical, while the other version looked...comical. (in the theater,some laughed.) Another CODA improvement...less Sofia Coppola.
FFC has stated #3 is not meant to be part of a trilogy. It more accurately is the EPILOG to the first two. Hence the title CODA.
@@Sgt_Glory coda ending leaves out important seconds.
My parents saw this movie in the cinema and they brought home a program for the movie as one would a program from a theatrical stage show. I held onto that program (from NJ's Totowa Twin Cinemas) for decades. I wish I had that today. Many viewers rate this sequel higher than the original. That end flashback scene at the dinner table is perhaps the greatest ending for such a movie as it harkens back to the family before all the tragedies and losses and shows Michael to be his own agent divorced from them. The third and last movie of this trilogy is the lesser of the three but it certainly has its moments.
I love these older movies that showcase Pacino’s acting as opposed to his flair. Michael, started out with a very blessed life and with all he did to get to the top, ended up very lonely and miserable after- pretty much the reverse of his father Vito’s. It’s so fun to watch reactors react to movies that we grew up watching pretty much yearly for decades now; especially us New Yorkers🥰 I lovingly say we cannot escape this culture. Thanks for the reaction!
Not very many reactors have done Dog Day Afternoon, which is one of Pacino's best and also features John Cazale (Fredo).
I can't believe you recognized Lee Strassberg. But then......I CAN believe it! You guys fire on all cylinders: acting, script, cinematography plus emotionally engaged with the story! Of course you know who Lee Friggin' Strassberg is! lol. Listen: the same year Coppola directed this, he directed ANOTHER masterpiece: "The Conversation" with Gene Hackman. BOTH movies were nominated for Best Picture (this one won). Meanwhile, the following year, in 1975: Pacino and Cazale (Fredo) make "Dog Day Afternoon", directed by Sidney Lumet (12 Angry Men, Network). MASTERPIECE of true crime, mind bogglingly great. Watch those, don't worry about the crappy third Godfather. Instead get blown away by what all these actors (and this director) were doing in the 70s, groundbreaking iconic movie after groundbreaking iconic movie. Coppola started the 70s writing "Patton", directed the two Godfathers, The Conversation and Apocalypse Now......plus produced George Lucas' first (and greatest!) hit: "American Graffiti"! that was his 70s! Thank you, Francis! lol. PS: The same year as Godfather Part 3, Brando and Bruno Kirby (young Clemenza) were in the hit comedy "The Freshman" which parodies his Godfather performance brilliantly. Andrew Bergman film, very funny. "Goodfellas" and "The Freshman" were the movies that made the third Godfather sucking not so painful, lol.
I may have said this in a previous reaction but you guys are two of the best reactors on YT!! Your after movie commentary is always so intelligent, insightful, and detailed. Love your reactions!!!
Let's goooooo!
Hope you enjoy! 😄
One of the very few sequels that are better imo…….what an iconic film. Pacino is so menacing in this - what a legend.
I love Godfather II but I still say Godfather is the best movie of all time, because of the cast, director, script, score, cinematography. You just can't beat it.
2 is greater than 1. The story telling, acting, and cinematography is superb. 1 sets the stage, 2 adds all the complexity and fleshes out the story the way 1 didn’t. Godfather 2 is considered the better film by critics, but it is also a personal opinion.
The Godfather came out when I was in middle school. It's so great watching your generation discover it. I highly recommend watching Rocky if you haven't already. It was another academy award winner. Rocky's wife, Adrienne, is played by Talia Shire. She is Connie Corelone here, and she is also the producer, FF Coppola's sister. I believe she won the Oscar in Rocky also. And there nephew is Nicolas Cage. Anyway, Rocky 1-3 are excellent movies.
It's crazy how different yet similar Godfather 1 and 2 are. So many contrasts like the wedding in the first movie with red wine and Italian food and a wonderful, personal, family feeling. Compared to the celebration in Vegas with Champagne and caviar with almost complete strangers.
Right?! There were so many moments where the second part felt like a mirror image of the first. Indeed it was though - many moments seemed identical upon first glance, but really a lot of them were polar opposites in feeling. What a wonderfully crafted film!
Remember the end of Godfather, the door closing in Kay's face, and Carlo setting up Sonny to be killed. Here we find out it was Sonny that introduced Carlo and Connie.
When you watched the final scene where Sonny is revealed to be the one who introduced Carlo to Connie, it hits you differently to realize that Sonny wasn’t just mad at Carlo for abusing Connie, but also likely at himself because he was the one who let the scumbag into the family.
Where as Godfather was Michael's rise to power and the acceptance of him into the Corleone Crime family, this is Michael's fall. The most telling is that at the end of Godfather, Michael is surround by his Capo Regimes, top enforcer, and others. And at the end of Part II he's *absolutely* alone.
The scene in which Michael and his mother are in front of the fireplace and she tells him he can't lose his family: Francis Ford Coppola related that when his colleagues and family saw it, they told him he was getting carried away with darkness. The way they saw it, there was too little light -- he'd gone too far. Coppola agreed, but he liked it, so he left it in.
I think the look that Frank Pentangeli's brother gave him said, "Don't do this. Remember the law of silence (omertà). Don't betray the padrone." When it was over, Tom said to him, "La famiglia sta posto, sta posto" (the family stays intact, stays intact") It was anything but. Pentangeli means Five Angels.
Merle Johnson, Connie's fiancé at the beginning of the movie, was played by Troy Donahue, whose given name was Merle Johnson. I admire him, who played handsome hunks in previous movies, for playing a weak little leech.
I recommend Part III -- the original, not the re-edited version. People put it down because Coppola drafted his then-teenage daughter Sofia to play Michael's daughter when the actress they had in mind had to back out. (Sofia herself didn't think she was very good.) I think it's good, though. You'll love all the scenes that were made in Sicily. They're not like Renaissance paintings or hand-colored photographs of the Eduard Steichen era or sepia-toned photos of the Photo-Secession movement -- just plain gorgeous.
al pacino got nominated for best supporting actor in THE GODFATHER 1972 and marlon brando got an oscar for best actor.in THE GODFATHER PART 2 ,al pacino got nominated for best actor and robert deniro got an oscar for best supporting actor playing marlon brando as a young man.
51:54 is one of my favorite parts of the movie. The way Michael is so dismissive is always amusing to me lol. He has clearly been through scenario with Kay before and his whole demeanor is like "here we go again" and he thinks he can pull the whole "I can change" song and dance with her again. She can see right through him and knows he's never going to change. He's truly become blind to everything around him except running the business.
This movie make the street life part of the narrative and the actors , great !
One of the key things about Vito was that he lost everything at a young age and survived because of favors of people who nothing to gain - his family friends in Sicily who snuck him out of Corleone and put him on a ship to NY, the shopkeeper who gave him a job in NY. This taught him that if you help others they will be loyal to you in a way that is far better than paying them for loyalty. Tom, knew it though. He was taken off the streets by Don Vito and given a very good life and he was the most loyal of people to the Corleone family. Michael didn't operate this way and seemed to not appreciate Tom's loyalty at many times.
Ironically, when it came time for Godfather III, Robert Duvall was a hold out. Tom may have been loyal but Duvall saw the only reason for making GFIII as making money and he demanded more of it than Coppola was willing to pay.
The Godfather part 3 please!! ❤ love that movie
Diane Keatons friends had an inside joke going where they would always close the door on her face
Your commentary is very impressive. I love the idea of Vito's time as Don being informed by a rejection of Ciccio and Fanucci's way of doing things.
22:00 I love what you said about how quiet and reserved both leads are.....especially since time has shown they are quite capable of chewing up the scenery, being loud, being scary and intimidating! I mean.....the year after this Pacino did "Dog Day Afternoon", spectacular, explosive performance....nothing like Michael Corleone! (Ditto John Cazale, who plays a scary character far removed from Fredo!)...The year before "Godfather Part 2" De Niro did Scorsese's "Mean Streets", playing a sociopathic loose cannon, a character and performance as far away from young Vito as you could possibly imagine! (he also played a southern baseball player dying of cancer in the sports tearjerker "Bang The Drum Slowly" that same year....three completely different performances in the space of a year. (and then "Taxi Driver" came next for De Niro....yet another completely different type of character/performance! Then "The Deer Hunter", "Raging Bull" and "The King Of Comedy".......and people actually babble that De Niro is the same in every role, lol)
The cinematographer of the Godfather films was Gordon Willis. His nickname was The Prince of Darkness!
Now the third movie guys.... the saga is a master piece, thanks for reacting to The Goodfather.