Very Good, But Lacks The Magic of I & II

Rating: 8/10 (5 September 2004)

Viewed in isolation, "Godfather III" is a very good film. The plot is interesting: The Corleone empire tries expand into legitimate business via its connections with the Vatican, as Don Michael Corleone (Pacino) wants to convert into a clean life, something he always promised but never managed; in his quest, he is assisted by Sonny's illegitimate child Vinni (Garcia), who is in love with his cousin Mary (Coppola), Michael's daughter. However things turn sour as there are powerful enemies who also want a share of the pricey spoils originating from this grand deal.
The film manages to keep the mystifying atmosphere and intrigue that we are used to in the "Godfather" saga. Moreover, the overall acting ranges from superb (Pacino) to very good (Garcia), with Sophia Coppola being the only unsatisfactory exception. So far, so good.
Yet, "Godfather III" can by no means be treated equally as "G1" and "G2": Although "G3" is a very good, 8/10 film, the first two parts were movies with a special magic for which even the 10/10 grade seemed insufficient.
Somebody in this site suggested that the Godfather epic should finish with the touching last scene in "G2", in which we watch Michael, who after ordering Fredo's death, he stands lonely and miserably, pondering a family flashback. I have to admit that up to a point I could subscribe to this point of view; Perhaps the "Godfather" saga could have finished there. Still, I am not so sure: After all, it is fair to say that "G3" connects nicely to the previous parts, and although it lacks their magic, it is still a very good movie. After all, the last scene of "G3" is quite touching as well...