Boring, pointless sequel to movie greatness

Rating: 4/10 (10 December 2008)

If ever you need proof that Francis Ford Coppola lost his ability to make great movies sometime back in the 1970's, here is the living proof.
Coppola decides to create a movie centered around family, by using way too many members of his own, woefully untalented family.
Talia Shire, a minor character in the first two movies, is now brought front and center in this film. The fact that she is Coppola's sister cannot overcome her weakness as an actress. For a serious drama like this, her complete lack of gravity and presence weakens the film.
The biggest issue with the actors in the film, is Coppola's own daughter, Sofia Coppola, in the part of Mary Corleone. A large part of the movie centers around her character, and the younger Coppola is completely out of her league trying to act the part. Never once do you believe the character she tries to create.
Other lightweight actors populate the film. Instead of the WASPish Robert Duval, as the family adviser, we instead get the even more WASPish George Hamilton, the very definition of lightweight actor.
The only part of the movie that is in any way compelling, is the relationship between Micheal Corleone, played by Al Pacino, and his illegitimate nephew Vincent, played by a very good Andy Garcia. Unfortunately this aspect of the film is not the centerpiece of it, and everything around it is pointless. overlong, and poorly written.
If you have not seen this movie, but have enjoyed the first two films, do yourself a favor and just skip it.