These 2 Scenes In The Godfather Part III Can Sleep With The Fishes

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Many consider The Godfather Part III a prime example of a disappointing sequel. While it doesn’t reach the level of the original two films—which are considered cinematic masterpieces—it’s not a bad movie either. It’s more accurate to say that The Godfather Part III is a solid gangster film that simply doesn’t live up to the incredibly high expectations set by its predecessors.

The story, centered around the Vatican, is genuinely interesting, and the film finally gives more attention to the often-overlooked characters of Kay, Connie, and Al Neri. Andy Garcia is excellent as Vincent, and while Sofia Coppola’s performance as Mary received criticism, it’s important to remember she stepped into the role very late in production, replacing Winona Ryder. The ending of The Godfather Part III is moving, the scenes in Sicily are visually striking, and the film’s lines are still memorable and frequently quoted.

The negative reputation of The Godfather Part III isn’t simply because it doesn’t live up to the original films. Specifically, two scenes significantly weaken the movie and hold it back from being better than it is.

The Godfather Part III’s Helicopter Scene Is Absolutely Ridiculous

Each Godfather film features a major, violent gunfight. The first movie had the scene at the tollbooth with Sonny, the second showed an attack on Michael’s house, and the third includes a shooting at a meeting of mafia leaders.

The core concept of the villain eliminating his enemies all at once in The Godfather Part III makes sense, and feels like a natural progression of the power struggles seen throughout the entire trilogy. However, the way it happens – with a helicopter attack – is just unbelievable.

It’s highly questionable whether this attack could have actually happened. Don Altobello had money and influence, but arranging a helicopter in the late 70s, successfully carrying out the hit, and then disposing of the helicopter without being caught or identified seems very far-fetched and unnecessarily dangerous. Plus, who would have flown the helicopter? Would Altobello have tasked one of his lieutenants to learn to fly, or would he have risked trusting an outsider? Both scenarios seem illogical.

Throughout most of The Godfather, mob bosses arrange hits to be as discreet as possible—like drawing Sonny away from others or waiting until dark at Lake Tahoe. They typically rely on their most trusted enforcers or professional killers to get the job done quickly and cleanly.

The dramatic helicopter scene in The Godfather Part III feels out of place compared to the rest of the series, which is usually more subtle and carefully planned. It’s the one moment in all the Godfather films where it feels less like a mafia epic and more like an action movie, like Die Hard or Scarface. The film didn’t need to resort to such an obvious action movie trope.

The Godfather Part III’s Gnocchi Scene Is Just As Hard To Watch

Another weak moment in The Godfather Part III stands in stark contrast to the over-the-top helicopter scene. While that scene was loud and dramatic, this one is quiet and subtle. However, like the helicopter scene, it feels out of place and doesn’t fit the overall feel of the trilogy.

The real problem lies with Vincent and Mary’s cooking lesson. While Sofia Coppola’s acting in The Godfather Part III has received criticism, this scene is a misstep for everyone involved. Making gnocchi look romantic is incredibly difficult, and it would require two actors with amazing chemistry to pull it off. Andy Garcia and Sofia Coppola simply don’t have that connection, resulting in a scene that feels like an unbelievably awkward first date.

To make things even stranger, Vincent and Mary are cousins. What starts as awkwardness quickly turns to discomfort as they enthusiastically – and unsafely – fight over the gnocchi, practically attacking each other’s faces in the process.

While The Godfather Part III is actually a decent film, a couple of particularly weak scenes are so noticeable that it’s understandable why people focus on its flaws and miss the good parts.

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2025-10-29 16:00