Mega Fan: Imogen Scott-Chambers
“Just when I think I’m out, they pull me back in” - the immortal words of Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) in the third instalment of the infamous Godfather trilogy. Although a critical flop, when seen in isolation from the other outstanding Godfather films, the final helping actually has some exceptional moments which are overshadowed by the more ridiculous and absurd parts. Firstly, Francis Ford Coppola’s direction is stunning throughout; he provides the audience with breathtaking landscapes and intense character studies.
Furthermore, Andy Garcia does not disappoint as the bastard son of the deceased Sonny Corleone (James Caan) he plays the hot-head type well with a unique and sleazy charm. Al Pacino’s religious affiliations are executed with astute subtly so that the audience can adapt to the change in scenery from the previous films, the Corleones have switched from casinos to Catholicism and Al Pacino acts tremendously in every scene. It is well worth ignoring the mass media criticisms of this slightly substandard film, and just take it for what it is - the concluding chapter of a masterpiece of cinema.
Giant Cynic: Ritwik Sarkar
You should always go out while you’re on top. Sportsmen alike have done it many times, but the Godfather movie franchise didn’t get the memo. After a string of flops in the 1980’s director Francis Coppola apparently realized that he was in desperate need of money, thus re-launching the franchise.
What was supposed to be a second coming turned out into a franchise killer, as the movie’s lop sided plot focus turned out to be the least of its problems. Without a suitable female lead, Coppola cast his own daughter Sofia as Corleone’s daughter. Without any experience, she crumbled in comparison to Andy Garcia and arguably brought the whole movie down.
The ending summed up the insulting attempt at re-kindling the franchise. Rather than having Corleone go up in flames, he falls from a bicycle, and brings down one of the greatest franchises with a cringing whimper rather than an erupting bang.
