Godfather III: Flawed but Fascinating. Sofia Coppola Deserves a Re-Think?

Okay, so, Godfather Part III. Let's be real, it's the black sheep of the family, right? Everyone loves to hate on it, and yeah, it definitely has its problems. But I honestly think it gets a harder time than it deserves. I finally rewatched it after years, and I was surprised at how much I didn't hate it. Firstly, Pacino is still incredible. The scene where he confesses his sins to the Cardinal Lamberto (Raf Vallone) is just…wow. You see the weight of everything he's done crushing him, and Pacino just sells it. It's a masterclass in subtle acting, even if the rest of the movie gets a little operatic. And Andy Garcia? I actually liked him as Vincent Mancini. He brought that raw intensity and impulsiveness that the family needed, even if he was a bit…much sometimes. Now, let's address the elephant in the room: Sofia Coppola. Yeah, her performance as Mary is…rough. But honestly, I feel bad for her. She was thrown into the role last minute, and it's not like she had tons of acting experience. Maybe if she'd had more time to prepare, things would have been different. It feels unfair to pin the film's failures entirely on her, as many seem to. I also thought the ending, despite being over-the-top, was incredibly powerful. Michael finally achieving his goal of legitimate respectability, only to lose everything that truly mattered…that's Shakespearean tragedy right there. The opera scene is visually stunning, and the way it all culminates is genuinely heartbreaking. I liked the last shot, too-- it brings the saga full-circle. Look, I'm not saying it's perfect, or even remotely in the same league as the first two. But there's still some great acting in here, some compelling themes, and some genuinely moving moments. Maybe, just maybe, it's time we cut it a bit of slack? Or maybe I'm just being contrarian. What do you guys think? Tell me what I'm missing!