Definitely Belongs With The Other Coppola Masterpieces

Rating: 9/10 (11 July 2013)

The third and final film of Coppola's Godfather series ends with a bang. It holds up really strong within the trilogy and I feel currently is underrated. Before seeing this film I thought this film wouldn't hold up as everybody seems to say that The Godfather Part III is horrible or lackluster. I completely disagree as I feel this film is incredibly strong. Yes the film doesn't have that feeling of a period film because it isn't. It's more contemporary and I think it's a great way of seeing these characters in a new era.
The point of the film is to show that Michael is trying to become a better person and trying to make his business legitimate leaving the ways of corruption and murder behind. But just when he thought he was out, they pull him back in; I just couldn't resist. The reason the old film felt a bit lackluster for me is that there are too many new characters introduced and those characters aren't as interesting as the ones in this film. The characters in this film do feel new but most are just older versions of themselves from the first film or second film. The main focus, even though there are other things going on like romance and revenge, is Michael looking for redemption as he has regretted everything that he has done. There is a lot of reflecting of the past in this film, like about Fredo or what Vincent and Mary's discussion about their fathers or when Kay and Michael was in Sicily. These moments were enjoyable. In comparison to the second film, I preferred this one as I found it to be more entertaining to follow.
Coppola returning for a third film is risky as for years people have seen Michael Corleone as a horrible man. So the decision of restoring his image to the public and family is very risky but I think it paid off as I think it gives the saga a better closing. The film goes back to the strengths of the first one and keeping it linear. Coppola did a great job in concluding the saga and will be regarded, at least by me, as a classic.
Gordon Willis did the photography for the Godfather trilogy but since this film is set in a more contemporary era then that style that was found in previous films is now gone. The film is still shot well with moments that are beautiful, in particular Sicily, but this really is more about the characters rather than capturing something unique and daring. The film's photography definitely isn't as strong as the original but it's appropriate to the film's setting and story.
Instead of Nino Rota being the composer of the film, it's now Carmine Coppola. Carmine has worked on the first two of the Godfather films but his role was minor. Nino Rota died a few years after the second Godfather film, but his work is still found in this film. I felt that Carmine Coppola did not deliver that same level as Nino Rota did as it was a little underwhelming and never creates a sense of presence but his score does fit well with the film and does his best to fill in Rota's shoes.
Acting again like the previous films is top notch. Another brilliant performance from Al Pacino showing off vulnerability that was rarely shown in previous films. Andy Garcia felt like a reminder of James Caan's Sonny but making it his own and adding a more unique personality to it. It was great to see Eli Wallach in films, as the films I have seen him in were always vicious, here he is a little more soft but still retains that viciousness in a subtle way. Keaton and Shire were great in playing stronger women in a time where Michael is vulnerable. Sofia Coppola was not spectacular but she did her part fine, chemistry between her and Garcia wasn't at the level of Pacino and Keaton but passable. Good thing that she chose to be a director rather than an actress.
Great ending to the trilogy supported by a strong script, great direction, decent photography and score and fantastic performances. It is definitely along with Coppola's finest work and should not be dismissed.