Review - The Godfather Part III (1990)

       Hey guys, Chuck here. Well, it's time to wrap up our coverage of The Godfather trilogy with Francis Ford Coppola's 1990 film The Godfather Part III, which sees the returns of Al Pacino as Michael, Talia Shire as Connie, and Diane Keaton as Kay. Joining them are newcomers Andy García, Joe Mantegna, George Hamilton, Eli Wallach, Sofia Coppola, Franc D'Ambrosio, John Savage, and Raf Vallone. 

       Set in the year 1979, the movie sees a much older Michael Corleone, wracked with guilt over his ruthless rise to power, as well as his hand in the death of his brother Fredo. Because of his guilt, Michael, who is nearing sixty years old, now donates millions to charitable causes. We also learn a couple things at the start of the movie: first is that Michael and Connie have moved the Corleone family back to New York, and second is that he and Kay have been divorced for years.

       We see Michael being honored with being induced into a papal order, which is followed by a reception, which sees both of Michael's children, Anthony and Mary, among the attendees, along with Michael's godson Father Andrew Hagen, son of the since passed away Tom Hagen. Another attendee is a young man named Vincent Mancini, who turns out to be the illegitimate son of Michael's eldest brother Sonny by his mistress Lucy Mancini. Vincent, it turns out, is having issues with a man in Michael's circle named Joey Zasa. And, Michael's attempt to mediate a peace between Vincent and Zasa doesn't go well. But, Michael is impressed with Vincent's loyalty and takes him under his wing. Lastly, Anthony speaks to Michael about his intention to withdraw from attending law school in favor of following his dream of becoming an opera singer. And, while Kay fully supports Anthony's choice, Michael reluctantly agrees to let Anthony follow his dream. 

       That night, while sleeping with a news reporter, Vincent is attacked by two masked thugs, both sent by Joey Zasa. And, of course, Vincent kills them both, much to Michael's disapproval. And, it becomes clear that despite his loyalty to the Corleone family, Vincent has clearly inherited Sonny's short temper. 

       It's also around this time where it's revealed that Michael is starting to make moves to aid the Vatican Bank with a major debt problem in exchange for the Vatican's shares in a fictitious company called.Internazionale Immobilaire, which is a decision with opposition, as the other mafia Dons feel left out of a legitimate business deal, which leads to Michael surviving an assault attempt during a meeting of the various mafia Dons. This attempt on Michael's life leads to Vincent, with encouragement from Connie, to killing Joey Zasa. 

      As for Immobilaire itself, they agree to the deal pending final ratification by the Pope. However, Pope Paul II is very ill. Michael, along with Connie, Mary, and Vincent travel to Italy, where Anthony will be making his opera debut, and it's around this time where Michael meets, and holds confession, with Cardinal Lamberto. And, despite claiming that Michael's suffering is deserved, Cardinal Lamberto believes Michael can still be saved, and gives him sacramental absolution, permanently absolving him of his past in the eyes of God. 

    Kay also arrives in Italy, and Michael takes her on a personal tour of Sicily. And, it's at this time where Michael asks Kay for forgiveness, and they both admit that they still love each other. Meanwhile, Don Altobello hires an assassin named Mosca to kill Michael. And, we see Mosca kill Don Tommasino, and Michael vows to sin no longer during the funeral for Tommasino. Some time after Pope Paul II passed away, and Cardinal Lamberto is elected as his successor, taking the name Pope John Paul I. And, with this appointment, the Immobilaire deal is formally ratified. 

     Unfortunately, more tragedy strikes as Archbishop Gilday, kills the new Pope with poisoned tea. Michael decides to legitimize Vincent as a proper Corleone, and names him as his successor, thus Vincent's becomes the new Don Corleone. And, while the family enjoys Anthony's debut performance in the opera Cavalleria rusticana, we see several figures wind up killed under Vincent's order. Archbishop Gilday is killed by Al Neri, Don Lucchesi is killed by Tommasino's former bodyguard Calò, Don Altobello is killed with poisoned cannolis given to him by Connie, and Frederick Kenzing is also killed. Unfortunately, no signs of Mosca until after the opera, and he gets a shot off at Michael, hitting him. A second shot fatally wounds Mary, who dies cradled in Michael's arms as Vincent shoots and kills Mosca. 

      Seventeen years later, and an even older Michael sits alone at Don Tommasino's old villa, and he suffers a stroke, falling out of his chair onto the ground...dead. 

      So, most everyone agrees that, while still a fairly decent movie, The Godfather Part III is certainly the weakest entry in the franchise. That's not to say there weren't good elements to it. For instance,.Al Pacino as Michael was, once again, fantastic. And, I personally enjoyed Andy Garcia as Vincent. A few other amazing performances throughout the movie came from the likes of Eli Wallach, Joe Mantegna, and George Hamilton, along with the returning Talia Shire and Diane Keaton. But, I will agree that Sofia Coppola, while a fantastic director in her own right, probably wasn't the best choice of actress for Mary. But, I will give credit that she tried her best. 

      And, much like the first two movies, the music in The Godfather Part III by Carmine Coppola, as well as the cinematography by Gordon Willis, is a genuine highlight of the movie. Also, setting the movie in the year 1979 was a smart move as it moves the plot forward in the timeline, and creates a different vibe and dynamic from what's been seen before. 

       Overall, while definitely far from the best of the three movies, I do think that The Godfather Part III is an overall decent enough movie, and certainly has a few elements of merit to it. 

      Alright guys, this is Chuck signing off, and I'll see you in the next review.