As The Godfather nears its 50th anniversary, it’s hard not to think of the franchise as a holiday movie staple of another classic film franchise to add to a movie collection. However, when given a more critical look, it’s clear to see what has made the films so iconic for both mafia films and dramas as a whole. From its impeccable casting to the story’s pacing as it follows Michael Corleone’s rise and fall in his dynasty, the franchise is an impeccable example of cinema. But when compared to one another, by averaging the critic scores of Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic, where does each entry in the franchise rank?
The Godfather Part III – 63.5
The Godfather Part III was released in 1990 and chronicled the twilight years of Michael Corleone. He’s older now and has lived in the family business longer than he would have preferred. But even still, there’s a glimmer of hope that he could achieve some peace before his last days. But as the franchise has continued to show, no deed goes unpunished, and just as he took a life to enter into the business, blood must also be paid to leave. The film, as a whole, does a fantastic job of framing the third act of Michael’s life, but critics have also stated that the performance of Sofia Coppola as Michael’s daughter drastically hindered the film.
The Godfather, Coda: The Death Of Michael Corleone – 81.5
Following the backlash of The Godfather Part III, director Francis Ford Coppola greenlit a recut version of the film that was designed to better capture the initial idea he and author Mario Puzo had for the third film. The recut version does a decent job at recontextualizing the film and offering a streamlined version of what came before. That said, critics have also stated that aside from the opening scene, there is still not much that was changed as it largely remains the same film from a viewing standpoint. Nevertheless, it’s an entry that fans didn’t expect and was still more positively received than the first cut.
The Godfather Part II – 93
The Godfather Part II continues Al Pacino’s role as Michael Corleone, but rather than watch as he ushers himself into the family business, the film follows his journey as the new Godfather and how struggles in his work and home affect him. These scenes with Michael are also intercut with his father’s rise in the early 1900s, played by Rober DeNiro, and how both stories parallel one another. This method shows that, in the end, the two protagonists are not so different. Upon release, Part II wasn’t as praised as it is now, citing the time skips as hindering rather than helping its impact. However, decades later, the movie has stood on its own as a careful examination of Michael’s character and is as somber as it is powerful.
The Godfather – 98.5
The Godfather is often considered the mob movie to end all mob movies with good reason. Its impact on the genre can be felt today, but the film itself stands on its own as a true work of art. The movie follows Michael and Vito Corleone as one era of the crime family ends, and another begins. It’s one of the more exciting films in the series as it delves into the war between different crime families and a shift in power with a leader that is never truly promised until the final frame. Critics have noted that while the film has a runtime of around three hours, the drama surrounding it is unmatched and keeps the viewers enthralled from beginning to end.
The Godfather is an example of a film series that can withstand the test of time. From its best to its worst entries, there is something that fans can take away from it. With its 50th anniversary approaching, now is the time to celebrate its accomplishments. While there are still many people who haven’t seen it, it is one of the most recognized films ever, and upon watching them, it’s guaranteed that any preconceived notion of how the story will be doesn’t compare to the real thing.
About The Author