The Godfather: Part III (1990)

 

 

 

In the midst of trying to legitimize his business dealings in 1979 New York and Italy, aging mafia don Michael Corleone seeks to vow for his sins while taking a young protégé under his wing.

 

It's a good movie with all the ingredients of the previous parts, but adds nothing in scope and depth, and the plot is not as stringently scripted.

 

On re-watching: This remains an ambivalent experience, since it falls so way down below the previous two films and has so many flaws and only rare moments of brilliance.

 

Halliwell**: "Overlong, often confusing to those who cannot remember the earlier films, and hampered by at least one wretched performance, it fails to reach the standard of the first two movies in the series. But for all that it retains one's interest most of the time."

 

Maltin***: "Only a filmmaker like Coppola (teamed with writer Mario Puzo) could extend his history-making Mafioso saga and make it work so well. Absorbing story...Longish, but masterfully told, with one almost-fatal flaw: the casting of Coppola's daughter Sofia (an amateur) in the pivotal role of Pacino's daughter."

 

[N.B.: Although many have criticized Sofia Coppola, I disagree: she plays adequate to the role. The problem is that the love story with her cousin is in itself misconceived from the start.] 

The Godfather: Part II (1974)

 

The early life and career of Vito Corleone in 1920s New York is portrayed while his son, Michael, expands and tightens his grip on his crime syndicate stretching from Lake Tahoe, Nevada to pre-revolution 1958 Cuba.

The rare case of a sequel to a masterpiece improving, expanding and deepening the scope of the original; one of the greatest movies ever made.

On renewed viewing: Evey new viewing leaves me in complete amazement over its mastery.

Halliwell****: "Complex gangster movie, explaining the present in terms of the past and providing a comprehensive view of American society, full of good scenes and performances."

Maltin****: "They say it couldn't be done, but cowriter-director Coppola made a sequel that's just as compelling."

 

The Godfather (1972)

 

The aging patriarch of an organized crime dynasty transfers control of his clandestine empire to his reluctant son.

A flawless epic with mastery to be found in all parts, a true cinema classic.

On re-watching: every new reviewing reveals more fascinating details and more context in the narrative.

Halliwell****: "A brilliantly-made film with all the fascination of a snake pit: a warm-hearted family saga except that the members are thieves and murderers. Cutting would help, but the duller conversational sections do heighten the cunningly judged moments of suspense and violence."

Maltin****: "The 1970s' answer to GONE WITH THE WIND, from Mario Puzo's novel...Pulp fiction raised to the highest level; a film of epic proportions, masterfully done, and set to Nino Rota's memorable music. Absolutely irresistible."

 

Rocky III (1982)

After winning the ultimate title and being the world champion, Rocky falls into a hole and finds himself picked up by a former enemy.

From memory: It's the same per aspera ad astra story all over again; not really bad, but quite redundant.

Halliwell (no star): "Unnecessary regurgitation of bits and pieces from the first two Rocky movies."

Maltin**1/2: "Stallone's got a winning formula, but enough already."

Rocky II (1979)

Rocky struggles in family life after his bout with Apollo Creed, while the embarrassed champ insistently goads him to accept a challenge for a rematch.

From memory: More mediocre remake than sequel is at times rather saccharine, but the boxing match is well staged.

Halliwell (no star): "Over-inflated but under-nourished sequel with absolutely new to offer."

Maltin***: "Officially a sequel, this slightly silly film is more of a rehash, but the climactic bout (and build up to it) hits home."

The Godfather: Part III (1990)

 

 

In the midst of trying to legitimize his business dealings in 1979 New York and Italy, aging mafia don Michael Corleone seeks to vow for his sins while taking a young protégé under his wing.

 

It's a good movie with all the ingredients of the previous parts, but adds nothing in scope and depth, and the plot is not as stringently scripted.

 

I watch the Godfather trilogy at least once a year; nothing to add to my previous comment.

 

Halliwell**: "Overlong, often confusing to those who cannot remember the earlier films, and hampered by at least one wretched performance, it fails to reach the standard of the first two movies in the series. But for all that it retains one's interest most of the time."

 

Maltin***: "Only a filmmaker like Coppola (teamed with writer Mario Puzo) could extend his history-making Mafioso saga and make it work so well. Absorbing story...Longish, but masterfully told, with one almost-fatal flaw: the casting of Coppola's daughter Sofia (an amateur) in the pivotal role of Pacino's daughter."

 

[N.B.: Although have criticized Sofia Coppola, I disagree: she plays adequate to the role. The problem is that the love story with her cousin is in itself misconceived from the start.] 

 

 

The Godfather: Part II (1974)

The early life and career of Vito Corleone in 1920s New York is portrayed while his son, Michael, expands and tightens his grip on his crime syndicate stretching from Lake Tahoe, Nevada to pre-revolution 1958 Cuba.

The rare case of a sequel to a masterpiece improving, expanding and deepening the scope of the original; one of the greatest movies ever made.

On renewed viewing: I watch the Godfather trilogy at least once a year; nothing to add to my previous comment.

Halliwell****: "Complex gangster movie, explaining the present in terms of the past and providing a comprehensive view of American society, full of good scenes and performances."

Maltin****: "They say it couldn't be done, but cowriter-director Coppola made a sequel that's just as compelling."

The Godfather (1972)

The aging patriarch of an organized crime dynasty transfers control of his clandestine empire to his reluctant son.

A flawless epic with mastery to be found in all parts, a true cinema classic.

I watch the Godfather trilogy at least once a year; nothing to add to my previous comment.

Halliwel****: "A brilliantly-made film with all the fascination of a snake pit: a warm-hearted family saga except that the members are thieves and murderers. Cutting would help, but the duller conversational sections do heighten the cunningly judged moments of suspense and violence."

Maltin****: "The 1970s' answer to GONE WITH THE WIND, from Mario Puzo's novel...Pulp fiction raised to the highest level; a film of epic proportions, masterfully done, and set to Nino Rota's memorable music. Absolutely irresistable."

The Godfather (1972)

 

The aging patriarch of an organized crime dynasty transfers control of his clandestine empire to his reluctant son.