GF 1 & 2 were made just 4 years apart. The characters for 2 were well known and liked by the movie goers. It was easy for the audience to pickup the story with #2, which in turn enhanced the appeal of 1.
GF 3 was made 20+ after 1 & 2. Almost an entirely new cast.
Coming so far after the first two movies, it was difficult for the movie going audience to connect with the characters as they had in 1 & 2. Having said that, the third installment was not up to the level of 1 & 2. The Godfather growing old was not as compelling a story as the choir boy being converted to a hardened gangland boss. Don’t get me started on Sofia Coppola in #3. That was just a mistake.
‘Don’t get me started on Sofia Coppola in #3. That was just a mistake.’
How about Sofia Coppola in #1?