you make very good points also death but i have a few counter points here. True the modernization hurt three but I think alot of true fans were turned off by one actors not reprising there roles, two the story I mean the catholic church was the wrong way to take the corporate half of the film and three just plain elitism being fans of the first two they wont lower themselves to watch a sequel made in the modern times. Other than that I think that The Godfather has always tried to portray the reality of the Mafia whether it be glamorous or horrible. If the modern reality of the mob isnt the high drama of the first two so be it I think it could still be told as an engaging story no matter who they make the focal point and no flashbacks im withy ou there