Today’s quick review: The Godfather: Part III. After over two decades of work, Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) is on the verge of turning his criminal empire legitimate. One final deal should be enough to allow him to retire and spend more time with his son Anthony (Franc D’Ambrosio) and daughter Mary (Sofia Coppola). But when his old associates make a move on him, Michael must turn to Vincent Mancini (Andy Garcia), his eager nephew, to fend them off.
The Godfather: Part III is a crime drama from director Francis Ford Coppola and the final chapter of the Godfather trilogy. Part III revisits Michael Corleone decades after the events of Part II as he tries to wind down his criminal career and build a legacy as a businessman, a philanthropist, and a father. The third entry into the series lacks the finesse of the prior two, but its cast and craftsmanship still make it an impressive watch.
The Godfather: Part III has a different dynamic than the previous films. Part III takes the story out of shady back rooms and into the open as Michael wages a war of money, business, and public relations to secure his legacy. The backstabbing and violence is still present, but it is sidelined in favor of conflict that’s less familial and larger in scope. The changes are amplified by the time jump to the late 70s and their different cultural context.
The shift will be disorienting to fans of the series. While the plot is still interesting in its own way, it lacks the texture, the immediacy, and the pathos of the previous films. The movie’s craftsmanship also takes a hit. Where the previous parts kept a tight grip on the audience’s interest, The Godfather: Part III has a harder time building and maintaining tension. The pacing drags early on, and the script lacks the series’ usual subtle touch.
Even so, The Godfather: Part III is a crime drama of unusual scope and quality. The cinematography is careful and often beautiful. The acting, though not given the same weight as in the prior films, remains quite impressive. The same themes of loyalty, corruption, and redemption are at play, this time in a setting where Michael actually stands a chance of escaping his past. The plot aims high and achieves most of what it sets out to do.
How much you get out of The Godfather: Part III will depend on how committed you are to the vision of the prior two movies. In spite of its flaws, The Godfather: Part III is a monumental crime drama with enough merit to stand on its own. But the movie is a noticeable step down from the two films before it. Viewers who are willing to take it on its own terms should give it a shot. Viewers content with the ending of Part II may want to skip it.
7.6 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 to 8.0 for a high degree of craftsmanship that falls somewhat short of the high bar set by the rest of the trilogy.