The Godfather, Part II (1974)

If the first film is, essentially, about the American dream, this film is the dark flipside, a look at what can happen when the dream turns sour. Contrasting Vito's rise with Michael's descent was a canny move on Coppola's part -- Vito's section ends with him revenging his father, while Michael's ends with his commiting fratricide. I think that says it all, really. Not a perfect film, really (it may be a little too expansive for its own good, as the pace slackens at times), and despite its reputation I don't see it as a rare better-than-the-first sequel, let alone the definitive example of that phenomenon. But Jesus, it's good.

Grade: A-