superb conclusion to an amazing series

Rating: 10/10 (3 March 2005)

SPOILERS Released 16 years after the previous part, it is not difficult to see why people were sceptical of "The Godfather: Part III". Doing badly at the Box Office and loosing out on awards due to "Dances With Wolves" and "Goodfellas", the film has always been viewed as an inferior film in comparison to it's predecessors. Whilst perhaps more inconsistent than the original two films, it is still however an amazing story with solid acting throughout.
Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) is getting old. Beginning to become burdened by the events of his life, this Godfather has plans to make his family's finances legitimate. Helped by his sister Connie (Talia Shire) and protégé Vincent Mancini (Andy Garcia), Michael begins his progression to becoming a law abiding member of society. As he begins to realise though, the more you try to leave the old life behind, the more you get dragged back in.
Released so long after the previous part, this film smacks of a next generation. Old faces like Michael and Connie are grown old, some are dead (Tom Hagen a notable absentee due to an argument over Robert Duvall's fee), and all the children of the previous films are grown up. In a way however, this does aid the film drastically. With absolutely mind blowing performances by some of the elder cast (Pacino in particular is jaw dropping good), the film becomes a chance for new blood to show their skill. Some do it well (for example Andy Garcia), some do it not so well (stand up Sofia Coppola).
Ultimately though, like the two films before it, the key about this film is it's script. With a story involving the Vatican and corruption, it tells an interesting story, albeit not as riveting as in the first film.
Perhaps there is one key flaw with this part of the series. In "The Godfather" we are given two magnetic performances by Pacino and Marlon Brando. Both thrive with a plot which suits them to the ground, and they work well together. Then in the second chapter, we have Pacino and Robert De Niro. Whilst never actually meeting during the film, these two actors again put in amazing performances. However, in this final part, the only main star is Pacino. He manages to once more put in a performance of true genius, but he is very much alone in this film. He is helped by a fine cast, but it is Pacino's film and his alone.
It is a confusing truth that so many people condemn "The Godfather: Part III". Whilst it might not have the charisma of the first part and it may focus on one genius actor rather than two, it is still a stunning film and a worthy conclusion to the series. We have witnessed the finest Trilogy to have been made so far, and it will take a very long time to be beaten.