9 Origin Movies That Actually Worked

1. Godfather Part II

The Godfather franchise actually starts with two what you might call origin movies, with the first charting the rise of Michael Corleone. But as established in the introduction, that sort of origin doesn't really count here.

What does count is the sequel, which tells the story of his father's rise to being the Godfather, with Robert DeNiro offering a spell-binding performance as the rising star of crime.

The film's use of dual narratives might not have been entirely inventive, but it's so accomplished that it feels almost like it was created for this film. And while the parallel scenes weren't popular with critics at the time, they are a wonderful device for building the dynamic between Michael and Vito.

It's also a stark reminder that despite Michael's initial reluctance, he was always destined to relive his father's life, which adds an incredibly poignant note.

Which of these origin movies do you think is best? Share your picks below in the comments thread.