The Godfather vs. The Godfather: Part II

[Prex32]

Oh yeah and my other cousin played Al Nieri in all 3 Godfathers

he played really well. just read that he was in red heat too, another good movie.

 

[Goodfella86]

1 wins by a hair

 

[toaa]

I can see why so many say that 2 is better. It's more ambitious and complex, but 1 is much more enjoyable for me to watch. I never get tired of 1 and to me it's an essentially flawless film.

 

[SammyPops]

Godfather Part II is probably my favorite movie of the all time.

There are very few sequels which surpass the original.

This is one of those occasions.

I agree 100%. The Godfather was a masterpiece, but I believe Godfather 2 could possibly be considered the best movie of all time.

Not trolling but care to elaborate?

I realy liked the Godfather but part II just missed. It was still good but for me not great. Not sure if the flashbacks just missed or no Brando.

 

[Badger67]

compared to 2, the first one is really primitive. the falling in love part was a bit cringe.
some scenes during the movie didn't make sense at all.
like the guy is shot directly in the forehead (after being shot in the throat) and is still somehow alive/giving noises and fighting for his life?
brando jumping off his stool despite being old as fvck?
the other guy who was almost beat to death by the brother of his wife is smart enough to beat her up again, knowing he'd probably be killed this time?
the fight scenes looked also very amateurish.
so it's a cool movie, but not perfect.
the only better scene is imo brandos first speech in the opening, when the guy disrespects him.

Carlo was banking on the corleones losing the war and being rewarded by barzini. Vito gave the only warning that everyone in the room missed, and michael knew what it meant and executed vengeance well. Sicialian/italian subtleness is a lost art.

I agree some directing parts were not up to par though.

 

[loyalyolayal]

I can see why so many say that 2 is better. It's more ambitious and complex, but 1 is much more enjoyable for me to watch. I never get tired of 1 and to me it's an essentially flawless film.

I was on the part 2 boat for the longest time and this thread made me rewatched those 2 and I find the first one superior. I guess it's the Machida/Shogun 1 of movies. I could see both winning/losing depending on my mood.

 

[Simple Southerner]

The one time where part 2 of a movie is better then part 1 .

Godfather #3 sucks btw

 

[vcmmafan]

It's a toss up honestly

 

[Oogie Sharp]

I can't pick a favorite between 1 and 2.

I agree with TS about Brando's performance. Just look at his subtle facial gestures in this scene. Truly a master.

 

[Oogie Sharp]

Cool thing I never realized, but found out later, is the guy 2nd from the left is Heyman Roth as a young man.

 

[moreorless87]

Not trolling but care to elaborate?

I realy liked the Godfather but part II just missed. It was still good but for me not great. Not sure if the flashbacks just missed or no Brando.

I would say the shift is Part 2 becomes more of a personal drama focused on Michael and Fredo rather than a crime thriller.

Personally I never found the Vito sections in Part 2 THAT interesting, especially given that Once Upon A Time In America used the same kind of device vastly more effectively.

 

[Ima5starman]

Rewatching 2 now after a rewatch of the first one last weekend. One is more enjoyable but 2 is the better story.

 

[CrimsonFan]

For me, Part 1 by a wide margin. It's a film I love to rewatch.. has badass action scenes. Part 2 is much less fun.. and dare I say confusing with all the story lines going on. Doesn't have much rewatchability for me other than Dineros scenes.

 

[Versez]

The godfather 1 is an all time classic … I love to watch it from time to time

 

[TheTickG]

I pick the The Godfather (9/10). Way better replay value. Brando was phenomenal.

And the scenes with De Niro in The Godfather: Part II (7/10) were boring.

1 is good.
2 is ok when you're on a ten hours flight.

 

[Kingz]

I’ll go with The Godfather

Better pacing for the narrative. Part II had so many little subplots mixed with the prequel narrative that also had all its own little subplots. It ties up nicely but you can get lost with it on first viewing. But it gets better and better.

First one is a near 3 hour movie that feels like it’s over in 90 minutes. Part II as great as it is feels every bit it’s run time.

 

[Sweater of AV]

No wrong answer here. Arguably the two best films of all time. I have a slight preference for Part II. The dual storylines and seeing Vito's early life/rise to power are fantastic.

 

[Ezekiel 25:17]

Both are 10's imo. Both have the distinction in awarding the the guy who played the same character(vito) an Oscar.

Godfather is the blueprint though. It was perfect in every way. Brando was brilliant. Hell, everyone was. Michaels arc from the nice, quiet soldier not looking to get in the biz, to godfather himself was magnificent. Its like every role deserved an Oscar. Dont get me wrong. 2 is right up there, but 1 just has an ounce more imo.

Someone else mentioned it I believe....the pacing was better in 1. It just flowed perfectly.

 

[Midnighter]

Idk, but I can watch Godfather 1 more.

 

[Thrawn33]

1 is good.
2 is ok when you're on a ten hours flight.

Lol just rewatched 2 on a 4hour flight to pass the time...not gonna lie, wish they offered the first one.

2 is great don't get me wrong, but I'd rather watch 1