Too much of everything

Don't Believe the Hype

a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

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.

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.

New York police detective Jimmy 'Popeye' Doyle (Gene Hackman) arrives in Marseilles, France to track down drug kingpin Alain Charnier (Fernando Rey). Inspector Henri Barthélémy (Bernard Fresson) is dubious of his methods. Henri puts two cops to follow him. He manages to shake his tail. Charnier's goons capture him and turn him into a drug addict.It is a lot of language barrier which gives the movie an exotic feel. The drug addiction is not my favorite turn. Breaking Popeye down may be an interesting idea but it is more of a temporary stopover. There is lots of gun action. The shootouts are chaotic. There is a chase but nowhere near as exciting as the one in the original. It does end well but that original car chase is an iconic touchstone in cinematic history. Overall, this is a fair crime drama.

I rated this as a 4 because the acting and the actors were very good. However, the script was preposterous, improbable and totally laughable. I watched his via Netflix tonight and was glad that I had the option to fast forward over the middle section of the film where Charnier captures Popeye Doyle , etc. I cannot believe or conceive that someone would sit down to a typewriter or a computer and write such dreck. This mid section caused the whole film to go off kilter and became a sort of us sinking, sinking ship. Which is apropos to it being set in Marseille-- a very big port city with lots of boats and ships. Yes, that's what I would call this film... a sinking ship in the port of Marseille. Finally, the ending made me just shake my head and say what a rip off. Whoever wrote the script must really hate movie lovers.