(17) The Godfather Part II

Directed by Francis Ford Coppola
Rated R
1974
200 minutes

*****

How do you follow up one of the greatest American films ever made? If you're Francis Ford Coppola, you follow it with another of the greatest American films ever made. Actually better than the original, The Godfather Part II continues the tale of the Corleone family, mainly examining the arrival to and rise in America of Vito Corleone, juxtaposed with the rise of Michael Corleone from the initially resistant college boy/war hero to the leader of the Corleone family. Brilliant acting, writing, music, cinematography and direction all come together to form easily the greatest sequel ever made.