The Godfather franchise started all the way back in 1971, with The Godfather starring Marlon Brando with a young Al Pacino, Robert Duvall and James Caan (among many more other great talent). The film was such a hit with movie goes of the 70's, 80's and even today that they made three (3) films totaling movie gross of over four hundred (400) million dollars to date (adjusted for gross). As soon as the first one premiered, it was an instance classic and takes you on the inside of the Mafia world like never before seen. This franchise was just not a financial hit but a cultural and social hit for audiences everywhere. The Godfather (1971) Francis Ford Coppola's directs this smash hit that follows Don Vito Corleno and family in an all-out war within the organized crime, whom struggles with the thought of losing his power. While he struggles with that, he is plagued with age and seems outsmart those whom want his throne. Don Corleno sees a means to an end while transferring control of his organized crime dynasty of his covert and underground empire to his reluctant son. Coppola and Brando (Corleno) pairs well in this film more than most films starring Brando. Brando is such a method actor that he brings his characters to the forefront without issues. Brando (on his tail end of his career) is centered on great casting in this film. Pacino and Brando make a great acting pair and comparing to Pacino and De Niro (in Part 2) doesn't compare. Overall, this film is almost as perfect as can be. Outside of some mediocre acting and scenes not being needed, Godfather is a master piece as soon as it premiered. Francis Ford Coppola film (based on Mario Puzo's best seller) is arguable is an art movie and a commercial blockbuster that is marked as the dawn of the age of mega movies. While Brando (cotton-cheeked acting) represents everything about old Hollywood that Coppola aspired to have, makes this old gangster film great. With the younger generation (Pacino, Duvall, Caan, Keaton) being a fresh and exciting in acting, it shapes this film extraordinary that you would forget Brando was part of the main cast. This film has entered popular and historic cultures that the audience, even if you never seen it, you would know the lines and scenes. Coppola plays off the role of Godfather as a non-centered piece in this film. He is more of a small screen player with a bigger role. The key role centers on his youngest son, Michael, whom treasures and understands his fathers (Brando) character while living in the old fashion world. The role of the Godfather is that of a centralized figure that almost certainly wants to pass the torch to the next generations to make sure his family business is handled just right [in his eyes]. This is a farfetched from its source material where Don Corleone (Brando) is the centered character of the film, not Michael (Pacino). The character lead of the film (outside of the story) is Marlon Brando's Don Corleone that is an unbreakable and cruel old man; however, Michael (Pacino) is the actual movie lead. Brando even won an academy award for this film even though he wasn't billed as the lead of said story. Brando's performance is far from his best in this film in recent years (1971). His voice is whispery and wheezy while his physical performance is lacking of deliberating precision with the effects of a man whom is so accustomed to the power that no one needs reminding. Brando does fill the role out due to the makeup and his acting of Don Corleone; however, feels way to must sluggish with way to much cotton in his mouth. The rest of the cast of characters play well off one another. Although with The Godfather being so long in duration with a minutely detailed movie (three hours long) their natural acting isn't as much fleshed out as one would want. These cast of characters don't really give much to the film in turns of plot or story; however, a little more detail wouldn't hurt their performances. Coppola has found his style [In the Godfather] that you can see through all three (3) movies. The style and visual look of The Godfather becomes something of a rarity in a really good movie best off of a bestseller book. The astonishment of filming everything in a period decor/period (mid-late 40's) was so crucial that if one small faction was out of place or didn't fit, would through the audience out.
The Godfather works well on almost every level; from acting to the design of the film, that Coppola's film style has some influence in most films today (Mafia-type). Although this is a three (3) hour long film, it takes us away and absorbs the audience so effectively that we can careless about how long it is. Unless you read the book before watching the film, you will see many differences from book to movie. Despite a confusing character relationship disconnect from the book to the film, The Godfather [as a film] stands the test of time today.
0 Comments
|
The Franchise PlayersWith all the film franchise's out there today and in the future, we thought it best to bring the very best franchise's to our home, speed review all films in said franchise and pick our best one. A franchise is made up of three (3) or more films that may not be continued in a way of the story but in the name. ArchivesCategories |