French Connection II (1975)

Very best movie i ever watch

Good movie but grossly overrated

Good , But It Is Overrated By Some

Expected more

One of the finest films ever made. Some say not as good as the first; some also say a good movie, but an unnecessary remake; I say it is even better than the first (that is saying A LOT) and completely necessary. The first 'The French Connection' was a classic of its time; completely deserving of its many awards; and masterfully directed demonstrating both the typical life of NYC Narcotics cops and the many losses which come with the war on drugs, ultimately questioning the utility of the war at all. It was much more 'story-telling' based and much slower than its sequel 'French Connection II.' In this movie, Gene Hackman excels even further, and the move shifts from an excellent telling of a non fiction story to a dark, gritty character study of our anti hero 'Popeye.' In a sense, the sequel is necessary because it completes the character development of Popeye and it shows how much he is willing to lose in his desperate pursuit of Charnier. The fiction element of the sequel allowed for the opportunity to make it conclude in style and the movie was otherwise well balanced as either entertaining or difficult to watch at times due to its graphic depiction of drug use, which is a balance very difficult to strike effectively. The chemistry between Popeye and the French detective was wonderful. The acting is super superb. The movie is essentially flawless, and it adds so much to the first movie by the very nature of engaging in an in depth study of Popeye. It is one of the best crime dramas ever made, and it is disappointing to see that it has not received as much attention by awards critics or the public in general.Maybe it is too difficult to watch for some, or maybe it is too 'different' to its predecessor and it causes too much dismay. However, for me, it was completely unique, and executed with perfection, and could not have been a better fit to a fiction ending to a non fiction story! In my opinion, 'The French Connection' and 'French Connection II' together, as one, make for one of the most memorable Hollywoodised detective films of all time. No matter how much time passes or how old it gets, they will always be remembered as classics, each for their own reasons, for me.

French Connection 2 (1975) is an Action/Crime/Drama/Thriller movie starring Gene Hackman aka Popeye Doyle, a New York narcotics detective. This film follows Popeye as he is sent to France to follow the trail of drug kingpin Alain Charnier and track him down. The film is in both English and French, but the French parts have English subtitles. Funnily enough, I found this movie to be much more entertaining than the first. I thought that the music was better, the story-line had more detail, and that the film was just overall more entertaining and engaging. Follow the hilarious and over-the-top Popeye as he investigates this crime and attempts to put the drug smuggler's in prison.

Number of French cops looking full time for missing unwanted/despised American cop (Doyle) = 52. Number of armed French cops on raid of major international drug smuggling ring = 3 + plus Doyle (unarmed). Most of the 20 or so drug smugglers are in the bottom of a very deep dry dock, the size of an ocean going ship, with no way out except up a flight of steps. Two drug smugglers are on the quay, at the top. What is the best way to capture the well armed drug smugglers? Keep them in the dry dock? Not if you are the French police. Instead send your chief cop down into the dry dock, with his handgun, taking Doyle (unarmed). You can guess what happens. One cop gets shot, all the drug smugglers escape and open the sluice gates to flood the dry dock, trapping the very best of French and US cops.

The French Connection is a superb cop flick, that manages to be both sharp and gritty. French Connection II is not only a worthy sequel, it is a fine if slightly inferior one too. While it does have an initially slow set up, when the film gets going it is every bit as exciting as the original. The film does look great with a visual style that is a little grittier but in keeping with its predecessor. Don Ellis's music adds to the atmosphere and style, the story is enough to draw you enough with an interesting plot point with Doyle and a disturbing sequence involving his withdrawal after being forcibly addicted and there is a cracking script and great direction. Gene Hackman is also brilliant with his acting in the cold turkey scenes among the best he has ever done, and while the ending is abrupt in a way due to its sharpness and thoughtfulness this abruptness works. Overall, a fine sequel and perfect to go with a superb first film. 8/10 Bethany Cox