Rating: Summary: The Greatest Movie of All Times Review: Thirty years after "The Godfather" was introduced as a film to the unassuming American public, it has now bought the Corleone Family the admiration and respect that even the great Don Vito Corleone himself could never achieve. You can keep your raves about Titanic, you can restrain your affection for Gone With The Wind. This movie represents the best of American films the way The Great Gatsby represents American literature. The story of the Corleone Family's dynasty, I cannot find a better word for this movie than perfection.The acting-- Marlon Brando's legendary performance as Don Corleone, Al Pachino as rebellious, Micheal, who "makes his bones" for his father's sake, and ends up becoming more than the other New York Families imagined. The filming-- a perfect blend of light and colors, and the camera angles, though not Hitchcock, vividly show the power of the Dons in the Meeting scene, the tension hovering in the air when Micheal is with his father in the hospital, and the classic shots (CAMERA, not gun) of the many gangland killings. The script, faithful to the bones of Mario Puzo's truly incredible novel, are breathtaking. It's hard to believe that Brando is connected to the Family business when you see him dancing with his daughter at her wedding, and when Mike says, "That's my family, Kay, not me," you feel almost regretful. The devilish killings of all the Heads of the Five Families in New York, while Mike is renouncing Satan at his godchild's baptism is so horrifying, yet a feeling of justice being served is all too overwhelming. This film is, and will always be, the greatest film ever created. You haven't lived until you see it. If you refuse to view it, however, don't be surprised if someone comes over to "make you an offer you won't refuse".
Rating: Summary: 2nd to none Review: dont listen to these other reviews from some 9 year old kid who says it's a hype, this movie is awsome, and it's not because of the cast, this movie is classic, and its very good, so there :0)
Rating: Summary: Family is Paramount Review: In this film directed by Francis Ford Coppola, we see a man, Don Vito Corleone, whose wealth has been acquired by indulging in mobster, related activities, but if we learn only one thing from this classic drama, it is that family is paramount through the entire 171 minutes. The film is primarily shot in New York, although there are many scenes where we see Michael Corleone, the youngest of the clan, in Italy after fleeing America. The film is a brilliant piece of work, one could even describe as a piece of artwork, as the grandeur takes hold on anyone watching the film. The cast list consists of great actors, almost legendary with Marlon Brando playing The Godfather himself, Vito Corleone, we see James Caan playing the part of Sonny, Vito's eldest son, Robert Duvall plays the part of the family counselor and the famous Al Pacino plays Michael Corleone. Diane Keaton has the role of Kay, Michael's girlfriend. It doesn't take long for watchers of this film to consider conflicting parts of this film, as we see Vito Corleone at a fruit stand in the middle of town, where he faces situational irony, as he is gunned down in the streets by opposing mafia families. He has no control over the attempt on his life; at this moment he has no power in order to control the situation at hand, only at the mercy of the bullets penetrating his body. We see Michael's mental complications come to life in the Italian restaurant scene, where he plans on avenging the attempted assassination of his father. He retrieves the gun hidden in the bathroom and comes out with a cool sense about him, sits down without saying anything and suddenly stands up and shoots the man primarily responsible for the attempt on Vito's life and then the police Captain, the same police Captain that broke his jaw outside of the hospital where his father lay fighting for his life. Michael finds himself hiding in the hillsides of Sicily, where he soon falls in love and marries, only to have his wife blown up in a car bomb that was meant for him. He returns to America after the news of his brother's murder, but he is a different man, has a different demeanor when he returns home. He is dead set on following in his father's footsteps. Near the end of the film we hear Michael use the phrase used by his father so many times in the past, "I'm going to make him an offer he can't refuse", which usually meant either do it my way, or die. Certainly this film deserves 5 stars! Coppola is brilliant with his direction of the film based on the novel by Mario Puzo, the two team up to make this one of America's classic films. Perhaps even a film that during the time it was released in 1972, Americans were facing a war of their own in Vietnam. Crowds flocked to the theaters to watch the Brando and an unknown at the time Pacino play their roles in this mafia film.
Rating: Summary: An offer you can't refuse Review: This great film follows the transfer of power from Don Vito Corleone to his young idealist son, Michael. Throughout it's three hour running time, the mafia family shifts into various states of conflict, as old-time tactics start to fail and egos bring destruction. The film is based on Mario Puzo's novel of the same name and is thankfully not too faithful a transfer. An exact translation would meander too much on the screen. Director Coppola exhibits great skill in bringing focus to the story, something lacking in the novel. The effort won the film many Oscar's including Best Picture and Best Director. The cinematography harkens back to a 1940s style of filmmaking. Very little is brightly lit and the camera for the most part remains at a constant height. The now classic musical score by Nino Rota adds tremendous texture to the piece, practically yanking it away from becoming a potential soap opera. But, it's the star maker casting that really created a stir. Against studio demands, the trouble making Marlon Brando was cast as the powerful patriarch. Playing someone over thirty years his senior with fine make-up and his own physicality won him a much deserved Oscar. Al Pacino establishes himself as an acting force to be reckoned with as Michael, the reluctant recipient of an empire. James Caan, whom the studio wanted to play Michael, brings a level of machissimo to the trip-hammer Sonny. Coppola's sister Talia Shire plays the victimized daughter Connie. The rest of the cast serves the story extremely well, each adding a definite texture. Of course, much of the texture is doused in blood, as the film is stylistically violent. Sonny's experience at a toll booth and Michael's first hit are only topped by the finale. Several murders interspersed with scenes from a baptism. The baby in the baptism is none other than Sofia Coppola who later appears as Mary Corleone in the unfortunate third film in the series. THE GODFATHER is a great film, worthy of much study.
Rating: Summary: The Best Of The Best Review: This is truely what i believe the greatest film ever. Mr Brando's preformance is simpley magnicicent. Anonther great preformance that is not given enough credit is Robert Duvall as Tom Cahaven. This is truely worth the small price to pay fo the video! BUY THIS MOVIE!
Rating: Summary: The Greatest Movie Yet Review: A combination of a brilliant story with great performances, whats left is the greatest movie of our time. Ive seen a lot of mafia/gangster movies (goodfellas, scarface) but none of them compare to the godfather. Marlon brandos performance is just amazing as Vito Corleone. Al Pacinos is equally great as Vitos third son michael. But in the end, what makes a great movie? perhaps a great movie is one that has survived the years and can finally be considered a classic. The Godfather no doubt fits the descrpition. I suggest you see it.
Rating: Summary: This is a movie you can't refuse! Review: This film has changed the way we look at mafia life, and has become the benchmark for other mafia films, and the highly-rated TV series, The Sopranos. I can honestly say, I can't think of one thing I did not like about this film. Practically perfect acting, music, and visuals.
Rating: Summary: Remarkable and Classic Review: "The Godfather," directed by Francis Ford Coppola and based on the novel written by Mario Puzo, stands as one of the great achievements of American film. Here's three reasons why. The performances. Surprisingly enough, even for people who have seen the movie numerous times, Marlon Brando's not really in it all that much. He won the Oscar for Best (Lead) Actor (which he turned down), he's on the unforgettable film poster, and he's what everyone thinks about when they think about "The Godfather." But don't be fooled. Though he's unsurpassably great and very worthy of his accolades, he's not the lead, nor is his the best performance in the film. That honor belongs to Al Pacino. In the performance that made him a star and will make him a legend, Pacino exhibits incredible power and elicits extraordinary compassion for a mass murderer. He does this in a far more subtle way than he is wont to do nowadays (including his own Oscar winning turn). The supporting cast is flawless, especially James Caan, Diane Keaton, and the dearly departed John Cazale. The story. Puzo's novel was great, and the film only improved on it. Everyone knows by now that "The Godfather" is not really about the Mafia as much as it's about family. Not just Sicilian families, either. The two central characters in the story are almost wholly motivated by a desire to help the family, and it is for this reason that the film magically manages to portray these people as heroes. Their occupation is secondary; their relationships with their loved ones and how those relationships affect their occupational choices reigns. The scenes. All great films, but especially those of the "Godfather" trilogy, are made of great individual scenes. Witness: the scene in the hospital where Michael attempts to move his father's hospital room to avoid his murder, with the help of Enzo the baker. The immortal opening wedding scene, interspresed with the favor requests (which no Sicilian can turn down on the day of his daughter's wedding). The scene where Michael defines himself as a Corleone, not an American, but a Sicilian living in America, when he murders a mob boss and a corrupt cop in cold blood to avenge the attempt on his father's life. Or was it to avenge his smack in the face? Who knows. I know that it's a great scene, and I'd watch it over and over again just by itself if only all of the other scenes in this film weren't so damned good. That was a few reasons why this movie's great. There are plenty more. Decide for yourself why you like it.
Rating: Summary: who could anyone give this film anything but 5 stars?? Review: It is one of the greatest movies ever made. I think everyone should see it & true film fans should own it.
Rating: Summary: A Boring Hype Review: I dunno why everybody likes "The Godfather" somuch. It's a boring hype, with not enough action.... just because of the cast.
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