The Godfather Part II is that rare film where the sequel not only stands as a satisfying story in and of itself, but also adds significantly to the impact of the original. Francis Coppola’s second installment of his Homeric ode to the mafia is such a perfectly crafted film (mightily holding its own as a complete and independent story) that the numeric indicator is inconsequential.

Arguably, Part II is the finest work from the director who can be considered the finest American filmmaker. Coppola’s dramatic storytelling and authoritative vision are powerfully represented in every frame. Whether it’s the somber atmosphere of the opening Reno scenes perfectly mirroring the mood of the main characters, or the vibrant kaleidoscope of the Cuban sequences accentuating Michael Corleone’s increased paranoia, the filmmaker’s vision is ever present and well defined.

It goes without saying that the acting, the writing, and the cinematography of Part II is unparalleled and represents landmark moments in the career of the respective individuals. Clearly, there are no mistakes or happy accidents here. If there is a silhouette, a blown-out visual, or prolonged action happening off screen there should be no doubt that there’s meaning behind that choice, conceived and executed by a master craftsman.

(click on names for IMDB.com listings)