The Godfather Part III: The Coppola Restoration

It's got great, brilliant moments. The whole last act is amazing. But it's also got great problems, and Sofia Coppola's non-acting is only one. Pacino's overacting is another. It's good, but coming so long after the first two -- two of the best American movies of the century -- it needed to be better than good.

The original title Mario Puzo and Frances Ford Coppola had for this movie was "The Death of Michael Corleone." It is truly the movie's greatest flaw that the studio would not allow that title to be given, and they required it to be "The Godfather Part III." Because this movie is not a Part III, nor was it ever intented to be so. Part I and II are the single story, Part III is the epilogue. If a viewer goes into this movie expecting it to be a Part III to one of the greatest stories cinema ever told, they will be greatly disappointed. If they look at this movie as its own independent movie, an epilogue, the Death of Michael and his fall from power, then they will find this movie is far better than most, and just as brilliant technically, giving us yet another brilliant performance from Pacino, and gracing us with Andy García's perfect depiction of Vincent. While it may be difficult for some people to get behind Sofia Coppola's performance as Mary, she does not deserve all the hate she has been given and has a few moments where she really does shine that are overlooked. Overall understandind that this movie is not a Part III but an epilogue is critical to understanding this movie. It is a good movie, above average, but because of its name it will always be looked down upon for not living up to The Godfather.

If you can fast forward through every frame where Sophia Coppola appears, this is a great movie. She can direct, but she can't act. At all. Garcia is at the top of his game and the reunion of Pacino and Keaton works very well. Winona Ryder's having to drop out was a tragedy.. Except for SC's thoroughly amateurish performance, this is a worthy conclusion of the saga.

I don't think you can find 30 consecutive seconds of joy in this film. It's The Godfather 3 of movies.

Nope.

There is something that's particularly wrong with The Godfather Part III, but it isn't Sophia Coppola's acting - although I think we can agree it was terrible. Nor is it that the characters' upbeat personalities bear scant resemblance to what they were in the first two films, or the less serious tone of the script, or the ridiculous Die Hard-style helicopter scene. The problem with The Godfather Part III is that it's supposed to be a movie about Michael seeking redemption, and it doesn't redeem him. Instead, it gives us the harshest condemnation of the character in the history of the series, even comparing him to a dog in the final scene. It's as ridiculous as ending Return of the Jedi where Darth Vader doesn't redeem himself. Or as ridiculous as ending the first Godfather where Michael DOESN'T become a criminal. It's anticlimactic and it makes what could have been a rewarding story feel like a waste of time. It's annoying enough when a film simply reiterates the point of its predecessors. We aready know Michael is a bad guy. Why tell us again? But it makes the experience even more disappointing when the movie misleads you into thinking it's breaking new ground, and then switches direction at the last minute.

Interesting to see the final….but…think this one was a “Bridge too Far…...

The person who commented that subtitles are not included is incorrect. The film includes English subtitles for the parts of the film spoken in Sicilian. There are some scenes where Sicilian is spoken where Coppola never included subtitles for artistic reasons. But the parts that always had subtitles are included here.

The movie was horrible. The only good thing about this movie was Al Pacino and Andy Garcia...everybody else just sucked. Especially Sofia Coppola...god she was bad. What were you thinking Francis???????

For years I never saw this final movie. I wish I never had. It is hard to believe they took such a huge step backward after the first two movies. Im shocked Pacino even did this one. Save your money. Movie is meaningless.