Truly Dreadful Film

A Major Disappointment

It's a mild crowd pleaser for people who are exhausted by blockbusters.

This is a gorgeous movie made by a gorgeous spirit.

Mario Puzo's continuing saga of the Clericuzio family continues with The Last Don II which has Godfather Danny Aiello passing on, but before that bringing back his grand nephew Jason Gedrick and proclaiming him his successor as head of the crime family. At the same time Michelle Burke, Gedrick's sister has taken over a film studio as part of the family enterprises and things are looking good for both.But as Joe Mantegna said to his son, trust no one really. Ironically the same advice that Herod gave to the Emperor Claudius in I Claudius. And I did say Mantegna who if you remember the original series was killed. He comes back as a ghost for Gedrick and Gedrick listens because Mantegna is the only one who has no interests of his own on this earthly plane.Both Gedrick and Burke deal with some attempted power plays to get them out. In the case of Burke it comes from former studio head Robert Wuhl who was fine in the first film, but really comes into his own in the sequel. He steals the film whenever he's on the screen and he's so incredibly arrogant and hateful that you will cheer when he gets his just desserts.As for Gedrick his being betrayed by someone very close whom I will not reveal except to say jealousy can strike us all.Also outstanding in this one as in the first film is David Marciano who is Aiello's son and passed over for succession, but quite content apparently in his role as consigliere.The Godfather was a period piece and The Last Don takes us into more modern times, but some things never change in the culture Clericuzios operate in.If we're lucky there might be a third installment.

I enjoyed the movie,Jason Gedrick was wonderful,romance,breath-taking,and what every woman dreams of.When I viewed the movie I couldn't get that guy out of my head(Cross)he had characteristics of a mafia that I would like such as;jealousy.kill or be killed,secretive,a for real look,and most all passion.So to top it off very nicely he made the picture wonderful for me.I haven't seen The last Don 1 yet,but trust me when I say I will soon.I don't know that picture had to be good to me for me to want to see it twice,I never watch anything more the once if it doesn't capture my heart and this picture did,so The last Don 2 was more than good to me.

Even though I am not a fan of Mafia movies, I have seen quite a lot of them. So, considering what I have seen so far, I think that The Last Don II has not given realistic Mafia characters. Also, I think that so many people from different places are presented in the film, e.g. Hollywood, the Catholic Church, that it's difficult to watch the plot as it is developing.Also, what I found completely unacceptable is the moral approach of the director. Cross is the worst of all the criminals who surround him; Without the least hesitation, people are tortured and killed according to his orders.***SPOILER*** He doesn't show any kind of remorse or sorrow, he doesn't even spend a second thought on the death of the woman (based on his orders once again)that he kept telling her how much he loved her and that he couldn't bear the thought that she might get killed!And it is the woman who risked everything for keeping him save;and Cross knew that because if he didn't believe her he would change the dates of the upcoming attacks to protect himself against the FBI.And yet he's presented to us as the sweetheart murderer, the criminal with the appearance of an angel. He lives in a palace, he uses expensive cars, he's dressed in the most elegant clothes, he orders the death of people and we are... "praying" that nothing bad happens to him because we couldn't stand it! The whole idea is completely outrageous!

The Last Don II was not written by Mario, or even based on any outline he came up with. I was glad it finally came out on video though, as I collect anything with David Marciano in it.Last Don II served a good purpose. It tied up a lot of loose ends, gave some closure to certain characters, and allowed us a more intimate peek into what happened when time caught up with some of them.It is a good advancement of the story line, tightly plotted, with some good twists and surprises. I enjoyed it, enjoyed the scenery, the sets, the costuming. The sets evoked a mood of unavoidable destiny, of the inflexibility of fate that surrounds some people.Tragedy was inevitable, the triumphs small, the power structure unbreakable. Its rare to see American history brought forward into modern situations the way this film did, and I think it succeeded at that.It seemed to be showing bits of a very small percentage of American culture, and there didn't seem to be much to attach it's message to the average viewer's life, and that seems to be a necessary ingredient for success in films. Still, I enjoyed the story, the way the film was put together, and the acting. I would have preferred someone older in the leading role, but that wasn't the story, was it?Though Mr. Puzo had nothing to do with the film, I still think it was a successful sequel to his work.