Michael, on the other hand, was adamant in not following in his father's footsteps. And Vito, not wanting to make the same mistake with Michael that he made with Sonny, went to extra efforts to keep Michael out of the family business.
As DT said, Vito was no fool. He saw that Michael was much smarter than Santino. But Vito wanted to use Michael's intelligence in the legitimate world. Vito knew Sonny never saw the big picture, whereas Michael had vision. I think Vito planned to have Michael exert his influence and contacts, where as Sonny could be used to crack heads when necessary. But I think Vito always wanted Michael to not get involved in the seedy aspects of their family, which was why Vito was so upset to learn of Michael's role in Solozzo's murder.
So in the much maligned GF III was Michael trying to become what his father wanted him to be? If so, everything goes back to Turnbull's mantra "Crime doesn't pay."
