One of the Best Movie Trilogies of All Time Quietly Got Way Better This Decade (& It’s on Paramount+)

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As a huge movie fan, especially of epic sagas, I know that sinking feeling all too well – you fall in love with a film, then the sequel just doesn’t live up to the original. It’s not that it’s bad, exactly, it just can’t recapture the magic. But when that happens with a trilogy as iconic as this one, it’s so much worse. For years, the final movie felt like something we had to get through, a decent ending that never quite reached the heights of the first two. It always felt a little…off, like it didn’t quite belong with the story that had already become legendary.

Most people were happy to consider the story a fantastic two-part film, even though it originally intended to be a trilogy, and the final addition felt like a minor afterthought. Surprisingly, that overlooked ending was later significantly reworked and improved. While it’s still not well-known due to its initial reception, it’s definitely worth watching if you loved the first two films and consider the series a cinematic masterpiece.

The Godfather Part III Was Always The Black Sheep Of The Series

The Godfather Part III follows Michael Corleone as he attempts to transform the Corleone family business, seek forgiveness through the Church, and navigate endless personal struggles. The film explores a man desperately trying to atone for a lifetime of violence, even though he’s long been facing the consequences of his past. However, the movie feels disjointed and overly complicated, with numerous subplots distracting from the central theme of Michael’s ultimately unsuccessful attempt to escape his dark history. This is largely why many consider it the weakest installment in the Godfather trilogy.

While the film has some strong moments and interesting concepts, it doesn’t quite come together as successfully as the first Godfather and its sequel. The story feels weighed down, the rhythm is uneven, and there are just too many storylines. It needed to be focused and emotionally resonant, but instead, it feels like the movie tried to do too much, spreading itself thin and never fully exploring any single idea.

As a big fan, I have to admit some of the casting choices in the third film really bothered me, especially when Sofia Coppola stepped in to play Mary Corleone so late in the game. While some didn’t think it was a big deal, it definitely disrupted the natural flow and relationships we loved in the first two movies. Those scenes with Michael, Mary, and Vincent were supposed to be incredibly powerful, but they just felt…awkward. It really took away from the emotional impact they should have had.

However, thirty years later, the final chapter managed to get better.

The Godfather Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone Fixes Everything The Godfather Part III Got Wrong

After years of criticism, a revised version of The Godfather Part III arrived in 2020, called The Godfather Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone, though it didn’t get much attention. While it might seem like something only die-hard fans would seek out, director Francis Ford Coppola didn’t just tweak the film – he completely re-edited it, rearranging scenes to create a more satisfying flow. The new version features altered openings and endings, with some scenes removed or repositioned. It doesn’t transform Part III into a classic, but it delivers on the film’s original intent: a somber and unified conclusion. Coda isn’t a remake; it’s an epilogue, focused on bringing the story to a proper close, and it succeeds in doing just that.

Even though it might not be immediately obvious, these changes make a significant impact. The revised opening eliminates the slow, introductory sequence that felt like a recap of familiar tropes – the family dynamics, how everyone reacts, and all the formalities – and immediately plunges the viewer into the core conflict. This instantly improves the film’s pace and makes it feel more streamlined from the beginning. For the first time, Michael’s emotional journey feels connected to the rest of the story. The new cut makes the film’s message clear, so viewers don’t have to guess what it’s trying to say. The ending also becomes much more powerful by shifting the focus from the shocking event itself to what happens afterward: the quiet moments, the passage of time, and the lasting consequences of a life filled with difficult choices. By emphasizing the aftermath, Coda delivers a more genuine and impactful emotional experience.

This doesn’t fix every issue with the series, of course. There are still moments that don’t quite work, performances that fall flat, or plot points that feel stronger in theory than in practice. However, the overall impression is much improved. Previously, the story concluded with The Godfather Part III, a flawed but well-meaning film. Now, with Coda, audiences have a satisfying conclusion – it’s not perfect, but it effectively completes the trilogy’s arc.

The Coda is a revised version of The Godfather Part III. Francis Ford Coppola and Mario Puzo always envisioned this cut, but the studio prevented its release. It resolves the issues many felt were missing from the original film, completing the trilogy in a way that felt unfinished before. Previously, people often said the trilogy’s strength relied solely on the first two movies, but with Coda, the entire series now feels complete and cohesive.

You can now watch The Godfather Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone and all three Godfather films on Paramount+.

Have you heard of Coda? If you’ve seen it, let us know what you think! Share your thoughts and join the discussion in the ComicBook Forum below.

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2025-12-07 23:40