Current Events > It's amazing how despicable Michael becomes in the Godfather trilogy

(+) Yeah! (+)

Seriously, he is a terrible person by the end of the it. Hell, by the end of 2 he's bad
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Maybe he was always like that.

Shit had to get real before he let it out.
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Mafioso are supposed to be good people or something?
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It's hinted at pretty well by the end of the first movie.

killing carlo (even though he had a reason) and lying to kay about his business and whether he had him killed, even when he promised to tell her the truth).

I mean there's the usual mafia business of killing enemies but he was brutal to his family as well.
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I have heard criticisms before of these movies but nothing this dumb
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DanHarenChamp posted...

I have heard criticisms before of these movies but nothing this dumb

OH I'm not criticizing it at all, I'm just more amazed at the character. I love the movie
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People tried to kill his father.
Had a brother killed
Betrayed by another brother.
Betrayed by people he's know his whole life.
His brother-in-law Carlo was a asshole and part of a betrayal.

The only thing I didn't like was when he questions Tom's loyalty.

He says it himself.

He's not trying to wipe everybody out, only his enemies.
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The defining change for me in Michael is in a specific scene in the 1st movie. After his father is in hospital and his family is panicking, he's been punched in the face, and Sonny is going crazy and about to fuck everything up because he's mad. In the scene Michael sits down in a wingback chair with his broken cheek, and a weird calm comes over the entire family as he starts issuing orders on what to do next just as things are looking hopeless.

It's so eerie how it plays out. That's the moment Michael becomes the Don and it's like the light evaporates from his eyes in an instant.

I'll see if I can find the scene.
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This is it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=by5YzWJ9W4U

@2:16, that's when it starts. The camera slowly zooms in as he delivers his orders and it's like fuck me, who is this guy all of a sudden, where did he come from?
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Is it on Netflix yet?
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Michael Corleone is one of the best character depictions in the history of cinema, if not the best
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each of Vito's sons had their shortcomings - Sonny was too hot-headed/ impulsive, Micheal was too cold-hearted, and Fredo was too weak and had a complex because of that

idk if Mike's army days had anything to do with how he was, but out of the three sons, he was the best possible leader. he just needed Tom or his dad consulting him
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boxington posted...

each of Vito's sons had their shortcomings - Sonny was too hot-headed/ impulsive, Micheal was too cold-hearted, and Fredo was too weak and had a complex because of that

idk if Mike's army days had anything to do with how he was, but out of the three sons, he was the best possible leader. he just needed Tom or his dad consulting him

I think Michael was basically just the one who took after his father the most and had that natural charisma and clear-headedness. This was hinted at from the very beginning because it's clear that Michael is the don's favourite son.
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pinky0926 posted...

boxington posted...

each of Vito's sons had their shortcomings - Sonny was too hot-headed/ impulsive, Micheal was too cold-hearted, and Fredo was too weak and had a complex because of that

idk if Mike's army days had anything to do with how he was, but out of the three sons, he was the best possible leader. he just needed Tom or his dad consulting him

I think Michael was basically just the one who took after his father the most and had that natural charisma and clear-headedness. This was hinted at from the very beginning because it's clear that Michael is the don's favourite son.

Vito sees the most potential in him, but he wanted Michael to create his own "all american" success.

The family lost its attachment to the people with the shift from Vito to Michael. Vito built himself on protecting his community. Michael built himself on business deals and changing with the times. That shift can be seen in Michaels cold blooded nature.
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pinky0926 posted...

boxington posted...

each of Vito's sons had their shortcomings - Sonny was too hot-headed/ impulsive, Micheal was too cold-hearted, and Fredo was too weak and had a complex because of that

idk if Mike's army days had anything to do with how he was, but out of the three sons, he was the best possible leader. he just needed Tom or his dad consulting him

I think Michael was basically just the one who took after his father the most and had that natural charisma and clear-headedness. This was hinted at from the very beginning because it's clear that Michael is the don's favourite son.

This. Although the competition was that close anyway. Now if the mafia didn't have the issue of not being blood related, Tom would have been the best choice for leadership.

Shame they couldn't pay Duvall his asking price.
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it's been a while since I've seen part two, but besides his being quiet, I think that Vito was portrayed as being a more "perfect" gangster, who used crime as a medium of protecting his family and community

Sonny was more in line with those ideals, but and he was a charismatic guy but he wouldn't have made a good leader. Michael started off with them, but he lost sight of them between parts one and two, but he felt more like Vito in part three, so idk
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Kastrada posted...

pinky0926 posted...

boxington posted...

each of Vito's sons had their shortcomings - Sonny was too hot-headed/ impulsive, Micheal was too cold-hearted, and Fredo was too weak and had a complex because of that

idk if Mike's army days had anything to do with how he was, but out of the three sons, he was the best possible leader. he just needed Tom or his dad consulting him

I think Michael was basically just the one who took after his father the most and had that natural charisma and clear-headedness. This was hinted at from the very beginning because it's clear that Michael is the don's favourite son.

This. Although the competition was that close anyway. Now if the mafia didn't have the issue of not being blood related, Tom would have been the best choice for leadership.

Shame they couldn't pay Duvall his asking price.

Tom wasn't Italian though
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boxington posted...

it's been a while since I've seen part two, but besides his being quiet, I think that Vito was portrayed as being a more "perfect" gangster, who used crime as a medium of protecting his family and community

Sonny was more in line with those ideals, but and he was a charismatic guy but he wouldn't have made a good leader. Michael started off with them, but he lost sight of them between parts one and two, but he felt more like Vito in part three, so idk

I think part 3 showed him realising he had fucked his family life up and wanting to be more like his father. Unfortunately he couldn't atone for his sins.
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Kastrada posted...

pinky0926 posted...

boxington posted...

each of Vito's sons had their shortcomings - Sonny was too hot-headed/ impulsive, Micheal was too cold-hearted, and Fredo was too weak and had a complex because of that

idk if Mike's army days had anything to do with how he was, but out of the three sons, he was the best possible leader. he just needed Tom or his dad consulting him

I think Michael was basically just the one who took after his father the most and had that natural charisma and clear-headedness. This was hinted at from the very beginning because it's clear that Michael is the don's favourite son.

This. Although the competition was that close anyway. Now if the mafia didn't have the issue of not being blood related, Tom would have been the best choice for leadership.

Shame they couldn't pay Duvall his asking price.

the only mafia stuff that I know is from movies, but even if don wasn't an inheritable title, wouldn't Tom still be passed up because he had Irish descent?
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pinky0926 posted...

This is it.
@2:16, that's when it starts. The camera slowly zooms in as he delivers his orders and it's like fuck me, who is this guy all of a sudden, where did he come from?

You watch Cinefix by chance?
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boxington posted...

Kastrada posted...

pinky0926 posted...

boxington posted...

each of Vito's sons had their shortcomings - Sonny was too hot-headed/ impulsive, Micheal was too cold-hearted, and Fredo was too weak and had a complex because of that

idk if Mike's army days had anything to do with how he was, but out of the three sons, he was the best possible leader. he just needed Tom or his dad consulting him

I think Michael was basically just the one who took after his father the most and had that natural charisma and clear-headedness. This was hinted at from the very beginning because it's clear that Michael is the don's favourite son.

This. Although the competition was that close anyway. Now if the mafia didn't have the issue of not being blood related, Tom would have been the best choice for leadership.

Shame they couldn't pay Duvall his asking price.

the only mafia stuff that I know is from movies, but even if don wasn't an inheritable title, wouldn't Tom still be passed up because he had Irish descent?

I should have specifically stated the Irish-ness yeah. I'm no expert on organized crime but yeah Tom most likely would have been passed up for leadership in any Italian family outfit. The fact that he was the acting Don when Vito was in the hospital was pretty surprising.
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Kastrada posted...

Now if the mafia didn't have the issue of not being blood related, Tom would have been the best choice for leadership.

Do you mean initially when Vito was out of action, or permanently? Because I think Tom is too weak a character to fill the bosses shoes. Smart and loyal, but not someone that can scare the shit out of other people with just a look. I think Tom worked best as a foil for all the headstrong characters. He was always the guy to put the plan under careful scrutiny, rather than make the plan.

Anarchy_Juiblex posted...

You watch Cinefix by chance?

No, why's that?
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you guys should try reading the book, it gives a lot more insight into WHY the Godfather does what he does, and it gives some interesting backstory on characters like Luca Brasi (who is basically a minor character in the movie)
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green butter posted...

you guys should try reading the book, it gives a lot more insight into WHY the Godfather does what he does, and it gives some interesting backstory on characters like Luca Brasi (who is basically a minor character in the movie)

Fun fact, I plan on naming my son Lucas Albert after Luca Brasi and Al Neri
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green butter posted...

you guys should try reading the book, it gives a lot more insight into WHY the Godfather does what he does, and it gives some interesting backstory on characters like Luca Brasi (who is basically a minor character in the movie)

I always kind of hated how in the movie they made references to Luca Brasi being a peerless badass and ruthless killer, but all he does in the entire movie is mess up a basic line like he's got a caveman brain and then later gets strangled like an idiot. They didn't really back up his reputation properly.
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I read the book a bunch of years back, so I can't remember most of the details, but I liked how it went over how Vito was was guiding Micheal as Don until he died

I can't remember if the movie went over that.

anyway, this topic is making me wanna watch through the series again
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pinky0926 posted...

Do you mean initially when Vito was out of action, or permanently? Because I think Tom is too weak a character to fill the bosses shoes. Smart and loyal, but not someone that can scare the shit out of other people with just a look.

Tom is one of the scariest members of the family to me. I mean look at what he did to the movie producer. The movie producer didn't respect him because he was just a "lawyer" but we know what happened next.

Tom was always intimidating to me. He had the brains, the calm demeanor. People didn't expect much out of him which is a benefit. Plus he was a lawyer. He could see things and oversee operations from a much different perspective.
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1NfamousACE_2 posted...

green butter posted...

you guys should try reading the book, it gives a lot more insight into WHY the Godfather does what he does, and it gives some interesting backstory on characters like Luca Brasi (who is basically a minor character in the movie)

Fun fact, I plan on naming my son Lucas Albert after Luca Brasi and Al Neri

uhhhh read the book and i think you will reconsider naming your son after Luca Brasi lol

pinky0926 posted...

I always kind of hated how in the movie they made references to Luca Brasi being a peerless badass and ruthless killer, but all he does in the entire movie is mess up a basic line like he's got a caveman brain and get strangled like an idiot. They didn't really back up his reputation properly.

yea they turned him into dumb muscle in the movie, which worked for the context of the movie, but it wasnt what i was expecting (I read the book before i saw the movie)
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pinky0926 posted...

No, why's that?

Well I realize now you linked a different scene but I thought you might have seen;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8A4ivmCCk4&t=9m17s
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Kastrada posted...

Tom is one of the scariest members of the family to me. I mean look at what he did to the movie producer. The movie producer didn't respect him because he was just a "lawyer" but we know what happened next.

Tom was always intimidating to me. He had the brains, the calm demeanor. People didn't expect much out of him which is a benefit. Plus he was a lawyer. He could see things and oversee operations from a much different perspective.

That's a fair argument. I guess I just didn't feel his presence. Like Vito was a powerful scary man, but Tom was more like the guy everyone underestimated to their peril.
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1NfamousACE_2 posted...

green butter posted...

you guys should try reading the book, it gives a lot more insight into WHY the Godfather does what he does, and it gives some interesting backstory on characters like Luca Brasi (who is basically a minor character in the movie)

Fun fact, I plan on naming my son Lucas Albert after Luca Brasi and Al Neri

May your first child be a masculine child.
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green butter posted...

uhhhh read the book and i think you will reconsider naming your son after Luca Brasi lol

Oh, I know what happens lol

He's also the only person Vito is afraid of
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boxington posted...

I read the book a bunch of years back, so I can't remember most of the details, but I liked how it went over how Vito was was guiding Micheal as Don until he died

I can't remember if the movie went over that.

anyway, this topic is making me wanna watch through the series again

The book is so good, so many details not in the movie. My favorite is the other family that is essentially the negotiation family. If 2 families meet, one of them highers a 3rd family to acts as a negotiator. If one of the 2 family members dies, then the negotiator is killed and the 3rd family goes after the family that started the fight.
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The book is literally amazing, there are so many background details the book gives that the movies don't touch. Its such a rich book, its great.
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Fuck...I haven't read a book since the deathly Hallows
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1NfamousACE_2 posted...

Fuck...I haven't read a book since the deathly Hallows

Should read godfather. So good
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robert21 posted...

1NfamousACE_2 posted...

Fuck...I haven't read a book since the deathly Hallows

Should read godfather. So good

This topic is making want to.

I need a book on tape lol
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1NfamousACE_2 posted...

robert21 posted...

1NfamousACE_2 posted...

Fuck...I haven't read a book since the deathly Hallows

Should read godfather. So good

This topic is making want to.

I need a book on tape lol

https://goo.gl/FFn8Ca

There's the book on cd
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