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Created Jan 15, 2008 02:06PM PST • Edited Jan 15, 2008 02:06PM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   Perfect 5.0

   The key to this film is the evolution of Al Pacino’s role: Michael; the younger son: a war hero determined to love his family without being drawn into its illegal business, until his family is attacked. You can watch Michael grow up before your eyes, and the subtlty of Pacino’s performance is the perfect offset for the naked violence and vividness of the plot. Brando became synonymous with the canonical mafia Don in this unforgettable role. Truly a brilliant film whose only flaw is that it became such a standard that seeing it now it seems almost cliche; but only because it is such an epitomization of the idiom it created.

4. Acting

   Great 4.0

   All the acting is terrific; from the extraordinary work by Pacino and Brando, down to the nuances of the small but important roles of the supporting characters. Each interaction is carefully crafted to establish the dynamics among the family members, and to create the inter-family misunderstandings that lead to otherwise avoidable war.

5. Male Stars Perfect 5.0

6. Female Stars Great 4.0

7. Female Costars Great 4.0

8. Male Costars Really Great 4.5

10. Film

    Really Great 4.5

11. Direction Perfect 5.0

    Crisp; clean, unrelenting; a work of art.

12. Play Really Great 4.5

    Not a false word. There is poetry in the minimalism of the dialog. The opening scene may be one of the best few minutes of dialog in film history; totally establishing the role of the Godfather in just a few lines of dialog.

13. Music Perfect 5.0

    The music in the Godfather is so compelling, and yet so unobtrusive that it set a new standard.

14. Visuals Really Great 4.5

    Among all the other things that make this a great film is the total recreation of a time and place; with total attention to the smallest detail.

15. Content

16. Edge

    Risqué 2.0

17. Sex Titillating 1.8

    Sex is used to distinguish between the crude irresponsibility of Sonny and the deep passionate commitment of Michael. As such; none of these ratings apply. It is far from explicit, but it is extremely well done.

18. Violence Fierce 2.0

    The implication of violence is far greater than its actual display.

19. Rudeness Salty 2.1

    They get it just right; understated if anything.

21. Reality

    Natural 1.0

22. Circumstantial Natural 1.0

    Conforms to our perception of the times, if not the reality

23. Biological Natural 1.0

    Just right.

24. Physical Natural 1.0

    Very realistic; almost starkly so.