Review of The Godfather Part III (1990) by Dan C — 06 Aug 2012
I think this movie is better seen as a distant epilogue to the life of Michael Corleone, a subversion of the tropes found in the first two Godfather movies. The real-life-inspired events of the film (the death of Paul John I, the crack of Banco Ambrosiano, the Blackfriars Bridge Incident, et cetera) strengthen this impression for me. It also undoes all the romanticization of gangsters seen in Part I and II, by showing how a family can be utterly destroyed by this life. Sure, Part II had done the same, but it ultimately left Michael Corleone triumphant...which kinda lessened the blow, making it a bit more palatable than this film's attempt at it.
It may have just been a movie that Coppola did just for money but, then again, so were the first two Godfathers. I didn't much mind Sofia Coppola's acting (let's not forget she was a last-minute replacement for Wynona Rider), and Pacino makes Michael Corleone's fall from grace very believable. I also liked how the usual familial themes of the Godfather were played out, even if I admit it took a second viewing to really get the feel of it.
The Godfather Part III is an underrated movie, in my opinion.
3.9/5.
This review of The Godfather Part III (1990) was written by Dan C on 06 Aug 2012.
The Godfather Part III has generally received positive reviews.
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