Stream it now The Godfather: Part III 1990

 

The Godfather Part III was a surprising disappointment. The two previous Godfather movies were masterpieces, but this one falls into the mediocre category.
First of all, Francis Ford Coppola does not appear on his game here much at all. In many ways, I see him trying to imitate the original Godfather movies more so than anything else. We even have a few flashback scenes, as though he's saying "Yeah, remember the masterpieces I use to be able to direct?" To be fair, it's not that Part III was a particularly bad film. It's just not really a particularly good film either. And since it's using the characters and storyline that we're so use to from before, it's hard to believe that the movie could fall so low. In fact, most of the best scenes in the film are sans Al Pacino. That's something I never thought would happen. But, once Coppola moves the movie to Sicily, he seems to remember how to make stronger scenes.
But my biggest complaint from this picture was the melodrama. A lot more melodrama that we would like from a Godfather film. It was borderline painful to watch.
Another huge complaint is the dialogue. It was a fraction of the genius the audience has come to expect from a Godfather film. To be fair, I don't think that the movie should fail just because it did not live up to the extremely high standards of its predecessors, but I do think that the dialogue could have been a little less forced. It felt as though Coppola was trying too hard to deliver a Godfather film. On the upside, it was nice to see where the characters had come. And I have to admire the way Coppola's direction was, in most respects, just as strong as I would like. But, really, Coppola, did you absolutely *have* to add the plot point of *incest*? It really takes away from the movie.
Al Pacino gives a genuinely strong performance as Michael Corleone once again. The problem I have is more in the character itself. He just doesn't seem to be as strong of a character as we've come to know. And I will say that at times it seemed as though Pacino was trying to emulate Marlon Brando's performance from the first Godfather... Other than Pacino, much of the acting is far below the standards set by the previous films. Again, not particularly bad (in general), but not particularly good either. And I have to bring up the subject of the infamous Sofia Coppola. She was awful. Her performance was very strained and distractingly bad, especially when she had scenes with superior actors like Pacino and Garcia. Andy Garcia, meanwhile, I would definitely cite as being a highlight of the film. His Oscar worthy performance was strong, reminiscent more of the original film than any other performance in the picture. Speaking of the original films, I have to acknowledge the fact that Robert Duvall's character is a noticeable absence. The replacement of Tom Hagen is his son, who is given practically nothing to do and simply takes up a few frames that could possibly have otherwise been used to give Sofia Coppola more screen time. Another performance I was not happy with besides Sofia Coppola was Joe Mantegna as Joey Zasa. I never would have thought I would see such overacting in a Godfather picture, but this guy obviously was not concerned with subtlety ("I want to say to you all... this day! I have earned no respect...").
I hate to generalize this way, but I swear I feel nearly every woman who appeared onscreen seemed to be under the assumption that Coppola was directing a second rate romance picture rather than a Godfather movie. They all act as though drama just unconcerned them... if they were acting at all! I do have to praise Diane Keaton's performance, though. She knew what kind of movie she was in and she let the audience know that in much the same way Garcia does.
I have just one more note to add while I'm still on the acting and characters. I don't know why the decision was made to make Michael Corleone diabetic, but something about Al Pacino having to shove sweets down his throat seemed mildly comical to me.
Meanwhile, Coppola seems to have lost his touch with the action sequences. The moments in the action sequences range from beautiful to downright absurd, with the majority of them leaning more toward the absurd. The Coppola finesse is still present, but his cleverness has worn down.
So, for the most part, The Godfather Part III simply nukes the fridge and nukes it hard. There are still a lot of very well-done scenes here. But, for my overall reaction to the film, I simply cannot get beyond the scene in which a character imitates a donkey. Yeah, this is what The Godfather has come to.
I don't hate The Godfather Part III. I'm just disappointed.
4/10

Having loved the Godfather and the Godfather Part II, I for one wish the Godfather Part III had never been made... Not even holding a candle to the first two movies the Godfather Part III was a terrible way for the Godfather movies to go out...

The Death of Michael Corleone:

*** Warning: This review may contain spoilers ***




After hearing about all the bad reports, I still wanted to see "The Godfather Part III", since the great feeling of having watched Part II still lingered! When I started watching, I felt it was kind of disconnected from its predecessors, as is inevitable because of a gap of over 15 years between Part II and Part III.

The story revolves around an aging Michael Corleone making a deal with the Archbishop and others in the Vatican as a step towards going completely legitimate. But as it turns out, they have plans of their own (along with some other people) to swindle him instead. Michael realizes that the more he tries to get rid of his old ways, the more he seems to be sucked right back in!

This is one review which will have to start with its minuses rather than its pluses!

1. It is appalling to see an old, tired, ill Michael Corleone gone all "soft"! Also, he is no more the brooding, cold, calculating, heartless Michael we've come to know from the later half of Part I and the whole of Part II. Here's a guy who we have always known to not break into a hysterical fit over the death of someone close to him (e.g.'s deaths of Sonny, The Godfather himself and Mama Corleone). He always expressed his grief through his eyes; and always maintained a calm demeanor. Yet, in this movie, he goes completely over the top, insane with grief and screams like hell when his daughter is killed in the end! Not that he is not good in the scene; he is of course, great! But it is rather sad to see a regretful Michael, weeping every now and then! He just seems so weak and helpless.

2. Most of the characters I'd come to love after Part II are missing. One most important character is Tom Hagen! He is sorely missed and I cursed the film-maker for not giving Robert Duvall the salary he wanted and casting him in the role of Hagen again! Instead, Hagen's son makes a small appearance!

3. Andy Garcia has been introduced as Vincent, Sonny's illegitimate son! Personally, I have nothing against Garcia, and he has been good in all his other movies I've seen. But he just didn't seem a good fit here! He tries too hard, is short tempered like his father Sonny, but the whole thing just doesn't work for him! I am surprised he got an Oscar nomination!

4. And about Sofia Coppola as Michael's daughter Mary...the less said the better!

5. This is a sequel that rips some scenes off from the first and second movies.

For example, there is a function in the beginning and Johnny Fontane makes an appearance to sing a song!

Then there is Michael telling Santino's illegitimate son Vincent, "Never let anyone else know what you're thinking" (reminds one of the same thing said to Santino by Don Vito in Part I).

The scene of the killing of Joe Zasa looks like a cheaper imitation of the killing of Don Fanucci from Part II! Both killings take place during a festival.

Then the arrangement of a meeting with the members of other families, "to make peace": again a reminder of the powerful meeting scene where Don Vito makes peace with the heads of the other families, from Part I.

Now the few pluses:

1. Acting from Al Pacino. He is now old, weak and sick, so he doesn't appear to be anything like the Michael we have known from Part II. Still, a great actor that he is, he does justice to what the script demands of him; although I would still have loved to see his ruthless old self! Acting from Talia Shire: she is good as the old Connie who is always by Michael's side.

2. The climax scene at the Opera. This is one scene that is reminiscent of the brilliance of the first two parts. Wonderfully directed!

3. The final scene of the death of Michael Corleone. I have to admit, it was very sad to see him die alone. That is a very powerful scene indeed.

This movie is actually quite watchable and a fairly decent film, if watched as a stand-alone after possibly changing its name! But as a part of The Godfather series, it appears highly pale in comparison to the first two parts, and hence loses points.

If only Coppola would've at least tried to come close to the greatness of Part II...

6.5/10

al pacino & andy garcia save the movie, but lacks the spirit of the original two.

The Godfather part III in my opinion is an absolutely amazing movie in itself, even though its not as good as the first two. Everybody in this film is a good actor with the exception of Sophia Coppala, who can't act for ****, but in my opinion that doesn't ruin the film. The cast is really good, with actors and actresses such as Al Pacino (obviously), Andy Garcia, Diane Keaton, Joe Montana, and Eli Wallach. Andy Garcia's performance is definitely one of his best, and is right up there with The Untouchables. I thought the continuation of the story was great as well, and was very well written, with alot of memorable scenes. Love every minute of it.

probably the weakest one out of the trillogy. i definatly think that it deserved a better rating. unfourtunatly, it was not comparable to the other 2

Underrated.

When you put Coppola and Puzo into the same room you will have greatness come alive. The Godfather's are movies that will never be forgotten an cherished, For Coppola casting his daughter (Sophia Coppola) to play Mary was the only biggest mistake Coppola made in his glorious career as a filmmaker. Sophia Coppola is by far the worst actress she has zero talent as a filmmaker I have seen in my life, she was the only reason why the movie didn't succeed like the first two Godfathers. I wish they could go back in time an put Winona Ryder the original cast member to play the part of Mary in the cast.

Painful compared to the first two, but perfectly exceptable as a stand alone.

masterpiece