After recently reading the novel, I became more aware of Al Neri in the first film. However, maybe I'm blind, because I dont remember him being very intrical in the next two films. Was Neri even present in parts II and III? I seem to remember an older gentleman being sent to take out Hyman Roth in II. Who is this new bodyguard, and where is Neri? I can't recall which movie it was, but I remember Kay commenting about Michael still having Neri around, so he was obviously still in the organization. Can anyone clear this up?

Neri's in Part II.. but he kinda stays in the background. He greets Johnny Ola ("Johnny Ola. Al Neri.") and that's pretty much it.. he just lurks around. The guy you're thinking of was named Buscetta (in the credits only) and.. I have no idea why he was thrown in there. I guess because he looked scary? Evidently he wasn't very competant as a hitman..

He's in Part III too, but again he basically just stands around (Part III is where Kay says that line, btw), although he does use a shotgun in the Atlantic City massacre to shoot open a door.

Johnny Ola would disagree.

Although Neri seems like a minor character, he's more subtly important than he appears. A subtheme of GFII is how Neri pushes past Rocco and tries to become Michael's #2, supplanting Hagen. They key scene is the penultimate boathouse scene, near the end, when Michael, Neri, Hagen and Rocco are discussing what to do about Roth and Pentangeli. Watch Neri slouching, speaking confidently, leading the discussion--and watch his smirk when Michael questions Hagen's loyalty--and you'll see.

Nrei was around a lot in 3 as well.He was the one who assassinated Archbishop Guilday and he's around in a lot of scenes.Easy to spot once you know what he looks like.

Don't forget Al Neri is the one who shot Fredo in that fishing scene in pt. 2

... and Barzini