The Godfather: Part II [DVD]

..I don't count the third as that seems to be some sort of abboration. the Puzo book is of course based on a composite of a number of 'Mafia' real life figures, Genovese, Gambino and of course Lucky Luciano but at the time of writing he wasn't able to say as much and didn't use the vernacular of the Mob so, for example, Family gets a bit confused with an actual family and we have a very violent and moody soap opera. But Puzo's book worked and introduced a world wide seventies audience to the implied secrets of the mob.

The first film adaptation is of course a classic, this followup up is superior - partly prequel (also taken from the book) and partly metaphorically cotemporanious with the early beginings of the mobs exposure and its seediness. We are intoduced to Hymen Roth (Myer Lanksy)the jewish mob boss and Vitos old colleague but now Michaels rival conspiring against each over deals in a Havana about to be taken over by Castro. It is of course a disaster and juxtaposed against DeNiros early Vito's epolits and who seems to live a charmed life.

The Pacino part of the film does leave a few gaps, I've seen this umpteen times and still don't know who the Rossano brothers are or several other characters. Michaels bodyguard doesn't look very convincing but thats probably not the point. The film is mostly brilliant acted, well shot and hypnotic.

Please, though, don't watch the third film.

This is a review of the Blu-ray transfer from the trilogy box-set, but it'll be exactly the same as will end up on this single disc.

Well, I was so disappointed by this transfer, I actually almost gave the disc two stars. I mean the PART I Blu-ray isn't anywhere near pin-sharp, but at least it fairs better than this very mediocre, soft-looking effort. There's very little clarity here, annoying heavy grain in dark scenes, overly golden skin tones (whether this was the cinematographer's vision or not, it still looks way too excessive) and that same irregular in-and-out-of-focus fault that was all too noticeable in PART I is back too. You even get the infamous "black jigsaw piece" that was noticeable for a few seconds during the Cuba New Year sequence on the old DVD. It's actually a piece of broken negative perforation that sits lop-sided at the bottom of your screen that hasn't been digitally removed, even during this supposedly new restoration process. Ah, well, doesn't spoil the film at all, just looks silly for a moment.

Honestly, it beggars belief why so many review sites are giving these transfers such glowing praise. Yes, OK, the films have never looked better, way better than the old DVDs, but, just like PART I, PART II looks more like a very good upscaled image than anything related to Blu-ray. I still recommend buying it though, as Paramount will have spent so much restoring it (probably a seven figure sum), you'll probably not see anything better than this for a very long time to come.

So as I say, this is way better than your old DVD, just please don't buy it thinking when you pop it in your BR player and watch it on your 1080p TV, like I did on a 32", that you'll end up staring mesmerised at the most perfect image of THE GODFATHER PART II you've ever seen - because you won't.

The Godfather - Part 2 is basically 2 films for the price of one, and they are both utterly mesmerising.

First, there is the continued saga of Michael Corleone's struggle to strengthen the family's business dealings and to actually keep his own family together. Pacino's performance as Michael is definitely from the 'out-of-this-world' bracket. The abortion scene is one of the best movie sequences of all time. Trust me, that is NOT an over-statement. Just watch those eyes! Complex and thrilling this film is not one to miss.

The second film is the depiction of Vito Corleone's rise to power in the 1920's. It is basically a movie all of it self, just as gripping and mesmerising as the rest of the movie, and it is all down to Robert De Niro. How do you follow on from Marlon Brando? De Niro did - in spectacular fashion. Brando's performance in part 1 was legendary (I'll make him an offer he can't refuse), but De Niro matches him stride for stride, line for line (I'll make an offer he don't refuse), even though it is almost all in Italian. You can easily be forgiven that the same character is being played by someone else, De Niro is that good!

Ultimately though, the film belongs to Al Pacino. De Niro also has Raging Bull and Taxi Driver to claim as his best performance, but THIS is Pacino's finest hour. It is a chilling portrayal by him of how power can corrupt, and by the end of the movie even I was scared of him, let alone his wife, played superbly by Diane Keaton.

So what else can I say? 2 films for the price of 1 combine to create the best movie sequel ever made, regardless of the fact that I love The Empire Strikes Back. It is shocking, it is brutal, it is pure drama all the way through. Don't rent this movie! Buy it, so you can watch it again and again and again. It is an offer you cannot refuse!