We saw enough of Barzini at the Commission meeting to get a feel for his style. He was clearly younger, more modern, and ready to step into a leadership role, than the other Dons. One of my astute GF-watching buddies noted that Barz is the only Don smoking a cigarette, not a cigar. I wasn't that interested in the rest of them.

I once thought about an alternate denouement for Barzini and Michael: Barzini asks for a private sit-down with Michael and Vito. He congratulates Michael on his position, then tells them that Moe Green talked to him about the future of his hotel. Barzini notes that he knows the Corleones have a big stake in the hotel, and he wanted them to know about that contact that was taken behind their backs. From that opening, perhaps Barz and Michael might have struck a deal to get rid of Moe and put their own, mutually agreed-upon front man in charge of the hotel.