"Once you go in you'll never be able to go back"

Rating: 8/10 (14 July 2003)

How do you top two of the most acclaimed films of all time? If you are writing a sequel to them, the answer is likely...you don't. But in 1990 Francis Ford Coppola gave it his best shot in his collaborative work with Mario Puzo to create the third (and last) part of the God Father trilogy.
This third film brings with it a very different atmosphere from the previous two, but a large part of that is that due to the lapse of nearly two decades between the previous sequel. "God Father III" is a film of tremendous worth though it does suffer several weaknesses. First I think Coppola lost a lot of series momentum by waiting 16 years to film the concluding episode (A mistake duplicated by George Lucas with his "Star Wars" prequels). The returning cast (though a joy to see again) struggled to recapture their old personas with a script over- burdened in very complex Byzantine politics. Another weakness is Coppola's over zealous attempt to underline Michael's quest for redemption. Yes redemption is an appropriate theme for a person such Michael's character, but every screen moment for Pacino is weighed down by his Coppola-imposed "obligation" to show his continuous, undying contrition. A scene I think Coppola thought was one of the best (Michael's speech to Dom Tominsino's casket) is actually one of most pointless moments of the film. The screen play is also plagued by a number of very awkward lines (very disappointing given the pedigree of the cast)..Kay's "You became my nightmare" was bad,and Connie's "They will fear you now" to Michael was very awkwardly delivered, but Mary's calm,proclaimed "Dad?" with 9mm gunshot wounds to the chest may have needed the most serious review by the screen editors. The other weakness, pointed out in several IMDB reviews, was Coppola's decision to make Godfather III a "family affair". Obviously sister Talia Shire is part of the "God Father" institution, and Sophia Coppola tired her best, but a film of this magnitude can't afford to play favorites in it's casting and production. (It's ironic that incest plays a role in the script!) Despite it's flaws, God Father III is certainly a worth while piece. Coppola was able to bring back most of the characters (those who hadn't been killed in the series) while introducing a new protagonist in the character of Vinny Corleone, played brilliantly by a young Andy Garcia. The over all theme of redemption for Michael was also an interesting study, (His garden confession being the most substantive), but again how much further could a man who had his brother killed fall? Even though Michael in his heart may have wanted redemption, he really never does much to "get out" of the World he entered as a young man. But again that is what Coppola wanted to emphasize in this coup' de grace of the Coreleone dynasty.