A lot like Fredo...unfortunately

Rating: Null/10 (15 January 2002)

I have watched all three Godfather films in a row, and this final installment leaves a bad taste in my mouth. It's almost amazing how it fails to emulate and of the strengths of the first two films. The biggest strength of the first two films has always, in my opinion, been the characters and their relationships with each other. Michael and Kay's moral battle, Fredo's battered ego in relation to his family of strong individuals, Connie's innocence and awareness of her family's business, Sonny's passion and those effected by it, Tom's honor among thieves, and Vito's protection of his family.
It was always intriguing to see how Michael reluctantly inherited his "kingdom" from his flawed but honorable father, and how he wanted so thoroughly to give Kay a life she could be proud of. This was great stuff, a tale of a family to rival the greatest of stories.
Then Francis Ford Coppola moves on, forgets about his masterpieces, and so does everybody else. Sure, we all wanted to know what happens after the somewhat ambiguous ending of the second film, so why not make a third? There's nothing wrong there. Where Coppola, Puzo, and for that matter, Pacino, strayed was in the way they wrapped it up.
Despite what people will tell you, Sophia Coppola and Talia Shire are not talented actresses. They were in this film for one reason; They're in F F Coppola's family. Suddenly Connie has a more potent role than ever before. When once she was a smaller character poorly performed, she suddenly becomes her brother's Consigliere! Connie almost ruins this movie. So does Andy Garcia, despite his best efforts, his character makes no sense, and is not very intelligent. Robert Duval is sorely missed, replaced by a lesser acter playing his priest son, who is a needless character only present in scenes where family members are gathering. In fact, not one character makes sense or has any depth. Even Kay and Michael have dummy dialogue and no wit. The whole thing really stinks of too many writers trying and not succeeding to write a good follow up to two of the greatest films ever made.