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An unusual sequel of sorts, The Godfather Part II spends equal time in the past and the present, exploring the early life of Vito Corleone (with Robert DeNiro taking over the mantle from Marlon Brando) while also following the continuing story of Vito’s son Michael (Al Pacino reprises his role). Thematically and emotionally, the movie plays like a long and redundant epilogue to the first movie. It’s not as exciting or as moving as the first film, and it’s much less focused. The jumping back and forth between Vito’s and Michael’s stories didn’t work for me. What I most enjoyed were the first 30 minutes of backstory and the fight between Pacino and Diane Keaton.

Academy Awards: Best Picture, Director, Supporting Actor (Robert DeNiro), Adapted Screenplay, Art Direction, Original Score

Oscar Nominations: Best Actor (Al Pacino), Supporting Actor (Michael V. Gazzo, Lee Strasberg), Supporting Actress (Talia Shire), Costume Design