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Parents' Guide to

The Godfather: Part II

By Afsheen Nomai, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Brilliant mob movie with graphic violence.

Movie R 1974 200 minutes
The Godfather: Part II Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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age 15+

Based on 18 parent reviews

rtgfc T.
rtgfc T. Adult
November 16, 2022
age 14+
kyle20ellis
kyle20ellis Adult
September 28, 2021
age 18+

One of the best sequels ever made

I do have to agree that calling Godfather Part II a sequel is rather insulting. It is one of those rare sequels that almost outdoes the first, and considering how amazing the first Godfather was that says a lot. The Godfather Part II is longer, but in some ways it is also richer. People may say like with the first it is slow and takes a while to unfold. Of course, but I think that was deliberate. Both this and the first Godfather have an elegiac quality to them that makes them even more compelling. For one thing, the film is very well made. The cinematography is simply gorgeous, whether it is dark or autumnal or picturesque, and the settings are wondrous. The music once again is outstanding, it is haunting and sticks in your head for a very long time. Then there is a brilliantly written screenplay that is intelligent and thoughtful, masterly direction from Francis Ford Coppola and a fabulously constructed story. The film does have some wonderful scenes-: the scenes where Vito flees Sicily has the grandeur of a silent movie, while the scenes in Cuba actually avoid being clumsy and confusing and the climax is extremely chilling. Not to mention the Pop Goes the Weasel scene, which was very funny. The acting is superb once again. Vito is brilliantly portrayed by Robert DeNiro in one of his better performances. I was also taken with Robert Duvall as loyal Tom, John Cazale and Diane Keaton. But the picture belongs to Al Pacino. He was great carrying the first Godfather movie, but he is even better here. He is simply phenomenal, and to be honest I think he should have won that Oscar. Overall, an amazing film and one of the best sequels ever to be conceived. 10/10 Bethany Cox

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
See all 18 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Using flashbacks and scenes set in the film's present day, THE GODFATHER: PART II brilliantly relates the tale of Vito Corleone's (Robert De Niro) transformation into Mafia don during the 1900s, and son Michael's (Al Pacino) reluctant takeover of the family business in the 1950s. Rather than simply glorifying the Mafia don's position, the sequel presents a man who is tortured by his title. Michael is pained watching his job tear his family apart. At one point, he asks his mother if his father had the same emotional issues. "How was his head?" he asks her. Unlike Tony of the Sopranos, Michael doesn't seek psychotherapy; instead, he uses violence and revenge to solve his problems. No one, including family members, dares cross him in his quest to build the family empire, as he won't tolerate the slightest bit of disloyalty.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (18 ):
Kids say (39 ):

Superbly written storylines and amazing performances by the principal actors, including Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Diane Keaton, are why PART II is considered a cinematic masterpiece. It's often called the best of the Godfather trilogy. Given its presence in hip-hop and general pop culture, kids will want to see this film. Yet, due to violent content, parents might want to think twice before allowing them to do so.

The film has the unmistakable air of saga as it moves back and forth through time, juxtaposing Michael's emotional struggle with becoming a don to that of his father's seemingly effortless rise to power. In doing so, Francis Ford Coppola is able to maintain an amazing balance of powerful character-driven stories with the ruthless violence we expect from a gangster film.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how Italian Americans are represented in the movie. Does the film provide an accurate portrayal of Italians in America? How might an Italian American view the film? Does it promote cultural stereotypes?

  • What does the movie reveal about the challenges faced by Italians upon arriving in America?

  • How does the movie tell two stories, and how do these two stories connect? What are the deeper themes explored in both stories?

Movie Details

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