The Godfather Part III (2020)

Don't Believe the Hype

Best movie of this year hands down!

Entertaining from beginning to end, it maintains the spirit of the franchise while establishing it's own seal with a fun cast

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

OK it's not as good as the first two films but it's still a great movie. Those who trash it are just being silly. We have to consider that MIchael Corleone never wanted to be a gangster and throughout his leadership of the family he strove to be legitimate. Yes he did kill people when he had to and I can't forgive him for the unnecessary killing of Fredo. The main plot here is a bit complicated and you have to follow it closely. Pacino was excellent as usual and deserved an oscar nomination. Carcia was an excellent choice for his part but was still playing a gangster rather than the head of the family.So we get to Sophia Coppolla. Yes we know why she got the part. Never the less she is perfect for the part. I was very sad at the end

There are some generous reviewers on here who claim that if not compared to the two "Godfather" movies that came before, this movie is not so bad. Nothing could be further from the truth.Although the begining of the movie is promising, with Michael Corleone now a much older man with fully grown kids, the introduction of Vincent quickly brings the film downhill into a structureless plot full of nonsense conspiracies and assassinations, which unfortunately have very little connection to anything that made the first two "Godfather" movies great (and that's not even the main reason why it's bad).As mentioned by numerous reviewers--even by those who gave this a high score--the acting is truly horrendous. But it's not just Sofia Coppola. Even though her scenes really stand as some of the most amateurish, even Al Pacino isn't good in this. Take the scene where he's repenting for all of his murders in the first two movies. There's really no indication in this scene that the real Al Pacino is thinking about anything else except his paycheck. I didn't believe for a second that this was the real Michael Corleone feeling bad for killing his brother. What's even more horrific is that I couldn't even believe that this was an actor trying to play Michael Corleone. I had no idea what was going through Pacino's head when he was doing this movie.Coppola clearly needed the money, otherwise he wouldn't have agreed to make a third 'Godfather.' I think the historical context on which this was based would have made for a very interesting Vatican movie outside of the "Godfather" timeline. Coppola probably could have released this film with the same title, "The Godfather: Part III," without Al Pacino, but then almost nobody would have went to see it.The only reason this gets three stars is because we at least get a small insight into what could have happened to Michael Corleone years after the events of the second movie. Unfortunately, when he does finally tip over as an old man and dies, it's figuratively not the first time we see his death.

"The Godfather Part III" tells the epilogue of the story of Don Michael Corleone as he moves his criminal empire into legitimate business operations with an international real estate company known as Internazionale Immobiliare together with the involvement of the Catholic Church and its business enterprise known as the Vatican Bank. Al Pacino returns for the third film to reprise his role as Michael together with Diane Keaton, Talia Shire, and Andy García as Vincent Mancini,who is going to replace Michael as the new Don, together with Eli Wallach, Joe Mantegna, George Hamilton, Bridget Fonda, and Sofia Coppola.Francis Ford Coppola returns as director and the co- screenwriter of the film that was based on the story of Pope John Paul I,who became pope for only 33 days,and the Papal Bank scandal that occurred in the 1980's, together with novel's author Mario Puzo.No question that it provides us an interesting story of how Don Michael Corleone moves away from the mob with his involvement in legitimate business operations as well as the corruption in the Catholic Church after we have seen a reluctant son assume leadership of the Corleone crime family in the after his father - Don Vito Corleone - died in first film and how he expanded his criminal empire that ultimately cost his family and become more of a ruthless person in the second film. We are also treated to great performances from the cast particularly Al Pacino,Diane Keaton,Talia Shire,Eli Wallach and Andy Garcia,who received an Oscar nomination.Too bad that many saw the poor performance of the director's daughter Sophia Coppola,who obviously isn't at par with the talent of the rest of the cast members.That somehow hurt the film a lot and somehow Sofia's terrible acting overshadowed the great acting performances of the cast.Another thing working against it is the fact that the viewer should have seen the first two films to have better appreciation of the third film.It is definitely not a stand-alone film for it is a continuation of the first two films.Other elements working against it are the familiar plots used in the first two films do exist in the third film like upsetting the mob order and succession of the mob leadership from Michael to his nephew,Vincent. Also,the film misses Robert Duvall as Michael's lawyer Tom Hagen,who could have been a strong presence for Michael in the decisions that he makes.Finally,we also see interesting character developments that lack explanations like Michael's sister Connie,who develops from being a weak woman into becoming a member of the mob that is involved in killing; and that of Michael,who became benevolent after attaining a high degree of ruthlessness after the second film.I felt that these character developments should have been made and explained in the third film instead of just happening in the story.But in spite of these things I have mentioned,I still see it as a great film despite not being a classic unlike the first two films.It was still a nice conclusion to the story of Michael Corleone.

Many have thrashed "The Godfather Part III" with one familiar quote from the first two "The Godfather" films by saying that this movie is "An offer you can refuse".No question that many movie fans have shown lack of respect and appreciation for this film by saying that it ruined the legacy of the two film which many - including myself - considered as both classics and each one a masterpiece.But the question remains,"Is The Godfather Part III an offer you can refuse?" The Godfather Part III was released 16 years after the sequel - The Godfather Part II - was show in theaters.It acts as the epilogue of the story of Don Michael Corleone,portrayed by Al Pacino, after he reluctantly replaced his father - Don Vito - into becoming the Godfather or primary leader of the Corleone organized crime family in the first part and how he turned into a ruthless and soulless Don during his protection of the business interests of the Corleone family in casinos and gambling after an attempt was made on his life in the second part.In the third part,we get to see Michael finally closing into his objective of the finally making the Corleone criminal empire into becoming a legitimate business operation with the participation of the Catholic Church particularly the Vatican Bank.In addition to that,we also get to witness the succession of the Godfather from Michael to the illegitimate son of his brother Sonny in Vincent Mancini,portrayed by Andy Garcia.Finally,we also get to see how Michael has to overcome the obstacles presented by the other gangsters like Joey Zaza as well as Don Licio Lucchesi and Don Altobello,both whom want to take part in Michael's legitimate business and to upset his goal of leaving the mob for good. No question that the third part still presents a great story.The plot was based on Pope John Paul I,who was only pope for 33 days, and the Papal banking scandal that occurred back in the early 1980's.The obstacles presented by the other members of the mob to Michael's legitimacy remains interesting as well as the corruption that the members of the clergy of the Catholic Church that could be capable of doing.In addition to the great story,there was a lot of great performances like Al Pacino,Diane Keaton, Talia Shire, Andy García, Eli Wallach and Joe Mantegna.Too bad that many saw the poor and much maligned performance of Francis Ford Coppola's daughter,Sofia Coppola.Despite of these great qualities that I have mentioned,I still must admit that it is not at level with the first two films.No question that the reunion of ex-spouses Kay and Michael as well as the romance between first cousins - Vincent Mancini and Mary Corleone - were somewhat not given much thought and I felt that these romantic stories proved as a distraction.Also,the sudden change of Michael from a ruthless and soulless character into becoming a benevolent person lacked better development. Added to that,familiar elements from the first two films remain present in this film.Finally,one must be really familiar with the first two parts of "The Godfather" to have better appreciation of this film.Evidently,it will not be a good stand alone film for one should watch the other films.But nevertheless,I must conclude that the third film remains "an offer one cannot refuse" for it is a great film despite being far from being a classic and a masterpiece unlike the first two films.