POSITIVES:
1) The performances are exceptional, especially Brando and Pacino. Brando gives one of the most iconic performances of all time, while the fact Pacino didn't win an Oscar for either this film or Part 2 is completely outrageous 2) The themes and messaging of the film are very powerful. It's so much more than just an average Mafia movie. It's a film about family and about how a good man can be corrupted by power, while also being a chilling indictment of capitalism. The downfall of Michael from a noble war hero to the Don of his criminal empire is a tragedy but is a character arc that the film handles masterfully, such as in scenes like the restaurant murders and the car bomb in Sicily 3) The film contains so many iconic lines of dialogue and iconic scenes. It's very impressive to have so many recognisable things crammed into one film
NEGATIVES:
1) I can't deny that the film is a slog for me. I understand that it's supposed to be a slow burn and I understand that films were generally a lot more slowly paced 50 years ago than they are today, but I really do struggle to keep focused on the film during some of the scenes, especially in the first half 2) There are times where it feels like you could do with having the novel or the script in front of you while you're watching. There were several moments where I think it was hard to follow what was supposed to be happening, or what characters were talking about, or actually who certain characters were and at what points we'd seen them in the film previously 3) I praised the performances earlier, and that is certainly true of the main cast, but I have to say that I do find some of the supporting cast quite one dimensional and not delivering great performances.
1) The performances are exceptional, especially Brando and Pacino. Brando gives one of the most iconic performances of all time, while the fact Pacino didn't win an Oscar for either this film or Part 2 is completely outrageous 2) The themes and messaging of the film are very powerful. It's so much more than just an average Mafia movie. It's a film about family and about how a good man can be corrupted by power, while also being a chilling indictment of capitalism. The downfall of Michael from a noble war hero to the Don of his criminal empire is a tragedy but is a character arc that the film handles masterfully, such as in scenes like the restaurant murders and the car bomb in Sicily 3) The film contains so many iconic lines of dialogue and iconic scenes. It's very impressive to have so many recognisable things crammed into one film
NEGATIVES:
1) I can't deny that the film is a slog for me. I understand that it's supposed to be a slow burn and I understand that films were generally a lot more slowly paced 50 years ago than they are today, but I really do struggle to keep focused on the film during some of the scenes, especially in the first half 2) There are times where it feels like you could do with having the novel or the script in front of you while you're watching. There were several moments where I think it was hard to follow what was supposed to be happening, or what characters were talking about, or actually who certain characters were and at what points we'd seen them in the film previously 3) I praised the performances earlier, and that is certainly true of the main cast, but I have to say that I do find some of the supporting cast quite one dimensional and not delivering great performances.