THE WAGES OF SIN! 'THE GODFATHER CODA - THE DEATH OF MICHAEL CORLEONE' DEBUTS AT CINEMAS AND ON BLU-RAY

Ernie Mayıs 31, 2022

Revisiting the end of a crime dynasty. The Godfather Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone. All images: Paramount Pictures.

"Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in..."

Within the Hollywood realms of critical and audience appreciation, Mario Puzo and Francis Ford Coppola's epic saga of an American/Sicilian 'Mafia' crime family, The Godfather (1972), is firmly established within the pantheon of all-time greats, as is its sequel, The Godfather Part II (1974). which would go on to topple the original in terms of plaudits. But what of the 'dark horse' third and final entry in the saga - The Godfather Part III (1990)? Well, despite originally being nominated for seven Academy Awards back in the day, the flack it has received from critics over the years has been pretty constant and unfair, with sharp tongues notably directed at the troubled production's story and one of the key supporting characters. Thankfully, the potential for deserved respect and reevaluation that III deserves may finally happen with the film's Thirtieth Anniversary this month (December 2020), as Coppola emerges from near semi-retirement to revisit his incident-packed final chapter for Al Pacino's former innocent turned 'Godfather', Michael Corleone, with a heavily revised and newly restored edit of the movie, now known as The Godfather Coda - The Death of Michael Corleone, debuting in selected cinemas for a very limited run (December 5th and 6th), as well as a striking Blu-ray debut.

And this all-new revision work for Coda is certainly noticeable through its tighter pacing, and a new beginning - a stronger scene/story setting at the Vatican that removes the 1990 film's original, subtly haunting flashback to the death of Michael's beloved but traitorous brother Fredo during The Godfather Part II. In the timeline of III/Coda, the year is 1979, and the Corleone family empire has shed its criminal enterprises to become legitimate, with Michael Corleone's charitable works now taking front and centre, his boosted reputation for benevolence further cemented via a huge investment into the purse strings of the seemingly appreciative Vatican Catholic Church. It looks as if Michael can finally wash the blood and guilt from his psyche, but it sadly isn't long before he's unwillingly caught in the assassin crosshairs of other rival Mafiosa unhappy with his recent business dealings, and the machinations of deceitful and manipulatively corrupt cardinals. As further betrayal comes from within his own inner circle, the trail of violence and revenge ultimately leads to the most shocking and traumatic event of Michael's life, on what should be a time of hope and reunion, taking place outside the city of Palermo's lavish opera house.

Exclusive clips:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkfKmAanSYU&feature=youtu.be

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZbBHYayBwk&feature=youtu.be

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQ3NiqfKAXc&feature=youtu.be

From one generation to the next, as Michael confers with Vincent Mancini (Andy Garcia).

Regardless of the new editorial changes, the film, in my eyes, was always well crafted and stunning to look at (Coppola reunited with so many of the cast and crew who'd helped him make the earlier films so successful), with much to enjoy: Al Pacino is on top form as the older, diabetes-plagued Michael Corleone, trying hard to shed his past guilts and win the respect of both his children and ex-wife, Kay (Diana Keaton, slightly under-used here), whilst the addition of Andy Garcia, such a charismatic and dangerous screen presence, playing the illegitimate child of Sonny Corleone: Vincent Mancini, is a fine lead for the film's secondary plot - a man desperate to win the respect and love of Michael (egged on by Talia Shire's devoted but devious Connie (Talia Shire), though hampered by a love that cannot be with his icon's daughter, Mary. Garcia could have successfully carried on the saga had there been a much-discussed fourth installment, but sadly it was not to be. As for that controversial casting of Coppola's daughter Sofia (now a highly regarded director in her own right), then last-minute replacing an exhausted Winona Ryder in portraying the innocent and loving Mary? Well, I'm certain that the criticisms towards Miss Coppola's 1990 acting still won't be going away anytime soon, even with this revised cut and alternate takes used, but this reviewer personally thought she did an overall creditable job onscreen, in such a difficult position.

Dangerous love. Mary (Sophia Coppola) and Vincent at the opera.

Proof that you can't choose your own family!

With the debut of Coda (also featuring re-inserted and remastered deleted scenes previously seen on DVD and Laserdisc), Coppola, perhaps in his own way a more benign Hollywood version of Michael Corleone, is now seemingly, finally, at peace with the conclusion of his film history-making saga- those inner demons/frustrations of his finally exorcised. But is this really the franchise's end? The new/old concluding scene, replacing the original Sicily-based on-screen demise of Michael, now backed-up with an old Sicilian saying, may subtly suggest otherwise...

KOOL TV RATING. Having enjoyed it ever since its big screen debut in 1990, I never thought there was really anything wrong with the original version of The Godfather Part III. Nonetheless, Coda is a highly enjoyable and satisfying viewing experience. 4 out of 5.