Armando Powell The real importance of any movie can't be adequately appraised solely by box office success or critical response. 'The Godfather Part II” is an example of how a carefully crafted sequel to a great film can become both a box office and critical success when attention is paid to its artistic quality. The movie continues the tale of the Corleone family, and presents to the viewers a world filled with greed and betrayal, family union and loyalty. A companion piece in the truest sense of the term, “The Godfather Part II” earned as much praise as its predecessor, if not more. Earning twelve Academy Award nominations, the second installment has been rightfully hailed as the best sequel of all time. While "The Godfather, Part II" did not exceed the box office gross of the original, the movie can still be considered a blockbuster, and not at all a flop.“The Godfather” earned instant success when it was first released in 1972. Earning both praise from critics and box office success, making about $135 million, the movie became an instant classic. One of the reasons for the high status of “The Godfather Part II” lies in the fact that the movie was authored by the same author with the same intent in mind. While other sequels usually serve as nothing more than easy way for unimaginative producers to cash on previous successes, “The Godfather Part II” was a nice opportunity for “Coppola to experiment, correct some possible flaws or even answer to critics of his previous work.” (Dragan Antulov, IMDB) The biggest and most serious objection to “The Godfather” was Coppola's allegedly apologetic portrayal the Mafia. Coppola was accused of showing organized crime as being more noble and less violent than it actually was. His Mafiosi are shown as dedicated family men, opposed to narcotics and any unnecessary violence, and in some way eve...
