Fair sequel with good moments

Rating: 7/10 (22 August 2008)

The first two films of the Godfather saga were close to perfection, some of the most masterful movies ever made. Although part three is a big step down from those films, it has redeeming qualities that allow me to give it a passing grade. This sequel involves Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) trying to at last free his family from the world of crime and find someone to take over leading the family business. Michael's most likely successor is his nephew Vincent (Andy Garcia), the son of Michael's brother Sonny (James Caan's character from the first film). This is the area of the film that proves to be interesting, as these two characters expand on the details of events and people in the first two films and give us information we did not really go into in those movies. For example, they discuss Michael and Sonny's relationship and Michael's short-lived marriage before Kay. These discussions are truly fascinating. I disagree that the film is too long, as I think this movie, as well as the first two, move along at a fairly quick pace. It proves to be interesting enough to sit through without really getting bored. My first problem with this film, however, is casting the director's real-life daughter Sofia Coppola as Michael's daughter in the film. Her acting was pretty unrealistic and did not fit with the brilliance the rest of the cast seemed to have. Also, I dislike how the film chose to end. It felt as though the whole of the saga was not really resolved, that all three films were building up to nothing. It's truly not a bad film, but it doesn't have the masterful work the first two had. It still proves to be worthwhile, and hey, who really expects the third film to be the best anyway.
*** out of ****