"The Godfather: Part II" (1974), whenever I think of great movie sequels, this film always comes to mind, every time. Not only is it just as good as the first Godfather movie, it's even better in some aspects! It's tied with the first one as one of my top ten all-time favorite gangster films and it's also one of my top ten all-time favorite movie sequels. The crazy thing is, not too many sequels can hold a candle to the first film. But, "The Godfather: Part II" is the epitome of a sequel done right. It has a perfect story, perfect acting, perfect sets/locations, perfect special effects, and also a perfect soundtrack to tie it together. The plot for this one is a little different in terms of layout compared to the first movie. For those who think it's a continuation of the story, yes, it is that. But, it's also a prequel at the same time. In this film, we see a young Vito Corleone's rise to power, along with Michael Corleone's rise to power. Now, that plot line has been done before in other movies. Some do it well and some don't. Granted, a story like that can become convoluted if it's not executed properly. That being said, "The Godfather: Part II" does it seamlessly and it all ties together in the end. Since it's a prequel and a sequel all at the same time, you're essentially watching two different movies for the price of one! They could've very easily split these two coinciding plots into their own individual films. But, they took a risk and spliced them both together, which was a huge gamble that definitely paid off. The runtime is 200 minutes in length and that could very possibly draw people away from watching it. That being said, the film makers utilized every single one of those minutes to perfection. There is always something going on and it keeps you hooked all the way from beginning to end. It's probably the fastest 200 minute movie you will ever see. Seriously, you blink and it's over! Plus, for a complex plot such as this, the long runtime is crucial for showcasing the story and not one of those 200 minutes are wasted. All of the acting is top-notch once again, from every cast member! The lineup of actors and actresses is absolutely insane. You have: Al Pacino, Robert Duvall, Robert De Niro, Diane Keaton, John Cazale, Talia Shire and so much more. What a cast! One thing I was a bit worried about when I first saw this film, was the fact that Marlon Brando wasn't in it at all. He was fantastic in the first one! Instead, Vito Corleone was played by Robert De Niro. His portrayal of Vito Corleone was sublime, he really nailed the character! So much so, that you won't miss Marlon Brando's presence on the screen. All of the performances from the whole cast is perfect, but, my personal favorite character portrayal in this movie is Robert De Niro's performance as Vito Corleone, with Al Pacino's portrayal of Michael Corleone as a very close second. This film has some of the best acting I've ever seen in any movie! They all nail their performances flawlessly and the chemistry between each one of them is nothing short of impeccable. All of the sets/locations are breathtaking and give the film a stunning atmosphere. As far as the special effects go, they are all perfect and still hold up to this day. Finally, the soundtrack once again composed by Nino Rota, is a masterpiece. His film score sets the perfect tone and it helps tie everything together. "The Godfather: Part II" is a home run in the aspect of sequels, and especially crime/gangster films. It may not be my favorite crime/gangster movie, but it's definitely somewhere in my top five! I'm giving this film 5 out of 5 stars on my scale, which equates to 10 out of 10 IMDB stars. If you haven't seen "The Godfather: Part II", what are you waiting for? Go see it today! I guarantee that you'll love it, especially if you enjoy the first movie as much as I do. The film makers have managed to make lighting strike twice with this flawless sequel. If you don't see it, then Michael Corleone might mark you as a traitor!