Questions about The Godfather

[BisexualMMA]

This one?

Spoiler

My issue with 3 is it substantially lowers the overall quality of the entire series. The first movie is about the title of Godfather passing from Vito to Michael. The second is released 2 years later, shows how Michael deals with being Don, while also showing Vito's backstory. It's both a sequel and a prequel.

So now we have a series of 2 films, possibly the greatest ever made. Then 16 years later we get the third movie. What was this movie even about? We've got Michael as the aging Don, Andy Garcia as the anti-Michael, and some incest drama. I don't really remember the main mob related plot, something to do with the Vatican?I did like Andy Garcia, but I don't think the story of Santino's offspring needed to be told.

Anyway, now suddenly Godfather is not a nearly flawless series, it's just another trilogy of movies with a predictably disappointing third act. If the first two movies are 10/10, and the third is 7/10 or 6/10, the average score of the series takes a major hit.

Actually...

Spoiler

"You want to do business with me? I will do business with you.

 

[HHJ]

So basically 1-2 is a big movie in itself that is amazing, and 3 is like an afterthought - sort of "extra" in the Godfather universe , does that sound correct?

WATCH THA FUCKIN MOVIES ALREADY-UH

 

[Sir Galahad]

1. I think it was just known that he was fiercely loyal to The Godfather and had to be taken out pre-emptively.
2. They were just trying to shake any tails and keep Michael on his back foot by not giving him any more information than necessary.
3. Vito was a top tier strategist and correctly determined that Tattaglia couldn't have come up with so effective a plan, and Barzini's actions at the treaty showed to the discerning eye that he benefited most from both the actions before the treaty and the treaty itself.
4. Moe was probably overstating the impact on customer service.

 

[HHJ]

I feel like 2 shoulda been split into two movies,but nontheless 1st two movies are incredible,and the third one is merely good.

 

[HHJ]

Her acting might have been a bit rough around the edges,but goddamn Sofia Coppola was a beauty

and then she went on to make "Lost in Translation" which is one of my favorite ever movies.

 

[Bay Area]

In Godfather 3:

When Joe Zasa had all of the commission wiped out with that helecopter hit, why couldn't a criminal genius like Michael Corleone figure out that Don Altobello was backing Zasa? Altobello was the only one who managed to leave the room before the shooting started. Further, after the hit, Michael even said that Zasa would have never taken out the entire commission without someone powerful backing him. He couldn't put 2 and 2 together? We're supposed to believe that genius Michael just figured Altobello was extremely lucky to leave the room when he did?

 

[10000 Days]

Here's a serious question: let's say the first 2 films didn't exist, how would you rate Godfather 3 as a stand alone movie, assuming the foundation of the story is in the film?

 

[Fedorisbest]

1. I think it was just known that he was fiercely loyal to The Godfather and had to be taken out pre-emptively.
2. They were just trying to shake any tails and keep Michael on his back foot by not giving him any more information than necessary.
3. Vito was a top tier strategist and correctly determined that Tattaglia couldn't have come up with so effective a plan, and Barzini's actions at the treaty showed to the discerning eye that he benefited most from both the actions before the treaty and the treaty itself.
4. Moe was probably overstating the impact on customer service.

As a Godfather fanatic and former expert, spot on with your answers

 

[HHJ]

Here's a serious question: let's say the first 2 films didn't exist, how would you rate Godfather 3 as a stand alone movie, assuming the foundation of the story is in the film?

Its impossible to look at it that way...its...playing off the strengths of the monumental previous events..if you watched it before the other godfathers...unless you lived under a rock youd still know its a mere piece of a puzzle....

 

[Badger67]

1. How did Tattaglia and Sollozzo know that Luca Brasi didn't really intend to betray Don Vito?
2. On their way to Louis' Restaurant in the Bronx, were they testing or trying to rattle Mike when he asked if they were heading to Jersey?
3. During the peace treaty of the five families, how did Don Vito knew it was Barzini all along?
4. How many waitresses were working in Moe Green's casino? Why can't the players get drinks when Fredo was only banging two?

1. They didnt. They aired on the side of caution that its peculiar timing and even if he was serious about betraying the corleones they have enough muscle that they dont need the number one guy. Plus it sends a message of severity and strong arm.

2. Not necessarily trying to rattle him. But not telling him would in theory ensure he cant call for help or have people set in certain neighborhoods. Unfortunately for them the informant spilled the beans to the capos.

3. Barzini talked too much and tried to rationalize everything that happened. Told the Don everything without saying it.

4. Waitresses not selling drinks and distracting gamblers means less money for casino. Each one counts and can fuck men for thousands off the table in a night.

 

[Badger67]

Isn't he a goddamned child murderer or something like that?

I remember hearing that his backstory is expanded on in the novel.

His child was a mixed italian and irish. She woulsnt abort so he tossed it in the furnace of an apartment building boiler room. He then tried to off himself in jail. Don corleone freed him and luca became his man.

 

[j123]

Luca was simple, practically retarded. He couldn't have thought of something like that on his own. Not only that, but it was better to send a message by killing Luca than having him on their payroll.

Slightly unrelated, but I started out on the book first then saw the films. The way the narration was written, it built Luca up to be like an immortal god. Then he gets dispatched easily. That was kinda a mood killer for me.

Luca wasn't just borderline retarded, he was cray cray

 

[10000 Days]

How-I-wishlist:

1. On one of the deleted scenes, they left out the part where Sonny was asking Tessio and Michael if it was Clemenza or Paulie. I thought it was substantial to have it included. It could've been a foreshadowing on Tessio's tendencies to be a snake, and Clemenza's loyalty to the family.

2. Same thing with Part 2, where Hyman Suchowsky was introduced to Vito. Clemenza was asking Corleone to help out "Johnny Lips", and Vito anointed him as Hyman Roth, when asked who his hero was (Arnold Rothstein).

3. They also could've included a flashback scene on how Roth met Moe Greene.

 

[Badger67]

Slightly unrelated, but I started out on the book first then saw the films. The way the narration was written, it built Luca up to be like an immortal god. Then he gets dispatched easily. That was kinda a mood killer for me.

Luca wasn't just borderline retarded, he was cray cray

I also hate how they didnt show them getting revenge on the finook who blew up apollonia. He got it nice...

 

[Kirin]

I also hate how they didnt show them getting revenge on the finook who blew up apollonia. He got it nice...

Yup; right through the chest, where he had the tattoo of a naked woman, in a pizzeria in buffalo if I remember correctly.

 

[10000 Days]

Another question:

According to Vito's character in the majority of the film, it seems like he won't help out strangers (deleted scene: when they visited a dying Genco, Vito questions Michael's medals, why is it considered bravery to help strangers; also in the end of Part II, Michael tells Santino that it was pop talkin when Sonny says people who enlisted to join the army are saps, because they risk their lives for strangers).

But in the flashback scenes, after killing Don Fanucci, the community seemed to respect Vito because of his willingness to help out those who are in need, like a Robin Hood of sorts. Is there a side story in between, on why Vito chose loyalty of family over others?

 

[Amerikuracana]

1. How did Tattaglia and Sollozzo know that Luca Brasi didn't really intend to betray Don Vito?
2. On their way to Louis' Restaurant in the Bronx, were they testing or trying to rattle Mike when he asked if they were heading to Jersey?
3. During the peace treaty of the five families, how did Don Vito knew it was Barzini all along?
4. How many waitresses were working in Moe Green's casino? Why can't the players get drinks when Fredo was only banging two?

Because they weren't idiots, and their non-idiocy and instincts are how they rose to power. Now go get your shine box.

 

[Liquid Smoke]

But at least does the third one stay with the same "feeling" of the series, finish things offf - it's not like an abosulte SHIT movie right? It's just, not "as good" as the first two?

IMO the third film's biggest failure is it got the tone wrong. It's not total shit but it simply does not compare to the first two. Gotta see it though just for completeness.

 

[Liquid Smoke]

Isn't he a goddamned child murderer or something like that?

I remember hearing that his backstory is expanded on in the novel.

Spoiler

In the book Michael meets a midwife when he was in exile in Italy. She asks him if Luca is still alive. She goes on to tell Michael that Luca once impregnated an Irish hooker and he made the midwife deliver the child. He then has her bring the infant into the basement where he forces her to throw the baby into the furnace saying "I don't want that race to live".