Unnecessary chapter to a fine franchise

Rating: Null/10 (14 July 2003)

THE GODFATHER, PART III (1990) ***1/2 Al Pacino, Diane Keaton, Talia Shire, Andy Garcia, Eli Wallach, Joe Mantegna, Bridget Fonda, George Hamilton, Sofia Coppola, John Savage, Richard Bright, Don Novello, Al Martino. In my view an unnecessary third chapter to what was a brilliant one-two punch, but never-the-less an interesting take on the familia Corleone with a faded Michael (Pacino {"Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in!"} a decidedly Shakespearean turn on his iconic role) facing retribution, redemption and ultimately tragedy the likes the Greeks have never seen as he wheels and deals by trying to by salvation with The Vatican (!) Garcia (Best Supporting Actor nominee) breathes life into the series as the bastard son of Sonny Corleone, Vincent Mancini whose bloodthirst for family acceptance is the film's shining star. However there are indeed vital flaws, including perpetual sun-tan/skin cancer candidate Hamilton filling in for consigliere Tom Hayden(!) {incidently Robert Duvall wanted more dough; can't blame him} and what the hell is Novello, aka Father Guido Sarducci (!) doing in this film!! But two words best sums up the harsh reality : Sofia Coppola!!! Arguably the worst acting ever in recent history. {The sad fact is Winona Ryder was originally tapped but had to begrudgingly drop out when she passed out during a rehearsal from exhaustion and ordered by her doctor to rest} Best sequence: the homage to the first chapter's baptism of fire with similar results during the opera/Vatican killings at the film's climax (ok I admit I was glad Sofia gets killed off) and without a doubt the worst final scene in any film; Pacino old and alone doing a Benny Hill-ish death! Nominated for six Oscars including Best Picture and Director, this version contains 9 minutes of footage never shown in its theatrical release.