The first thing to note about Casino is that it feels a lot less like a mob movie than Goodfellas did. The film doesn’t just tell the story of a crime family, it also illustrates the personal struggles of its members. This makes the downfall of its characters all the more tragic, and it also helps to give the narrative a much more active feel. For instance, when Sam Rothstein orders his kitchen cooks to put “exactly the same amount of blueberries in every muffin,” it feels much more like an active decision than something that just happens.

The film also benefits from the performances of its leads, especially Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci. The latter is especially impressive, as he delivers a performance that’s more nuanced and complex than his role in Goodfellas. He gives a truly terrifying depiction of a mobster, and his arc is one of the most compelling in cinematic history.

Casino is also notable for its use of music and editing style. It opens with a series of fast cuts and stylized documentary-style footage that feel both entertaining and informative, and it’s a great way to set the tone for the rest of the film. Plus, the soundtrack is just fantastic. So next time you have friends who claim that rap and hip hop are the only forms of music worth listening to, point them in the direction of this masterpiece and watch their eyes roll back in their heads.