There are many themes and filmic devices that I have been able to see in the second Godfather that were also in the first.
Primarily, I believe the camera angles used are similar. In both films the camera is at eye-level and it makes the audience feel at parts that they are in the scene. I found that in the scene where there is a shooting trying to kill Michael and Kay in their bedroom I felt as if I was also there. The camera is directly facing the window when the gun fires and with the loud bang I jumped back in my seat. Then, the camera went down to the ground as if trying to get away from the bullets, this I would have done if I was in that situation. It made the scene very real for me.
I have also seen the motif of oranges. At the beginning of the movie Michael is given an orange, and not long after the shooting happens. Because we did not finish the movie I do not know who else will be killed; however, I have noticed certain characters wearing orange and certain scenes with oranges in them.
In the first movie the audience followed Michael through the hero’s journey, and in the second movie we are following Vito’s journey. I believe that not only is Coppola choosing a character and connecting them to the hero’s journey, but he is showing us that becoming a Don is a journey closely related to the hero’s journey. As the movie continues I believe the audience will follow Vito through a story very similar to the one Michael went through.
Finally, I have seen the American Dream being portrayed. Especially in the flashbacks to Vito Corleone’s life in America. When Vito is put in his room as a kid he is looking out the window at the Statue of Liberty and you can see its reflection in the glass. The film is following Vito’s life and you can see that he is becoming a powerful man and trying to find justice and be just.