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How is French Connection II?

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How is French Connection II?

Old 02-11-04, 10:17 AM
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How is French Connection II?

I HAVE NOT YET SEEN FRENCH CONNECTION I, so please use spoilers!!

I was going to pick up French Connection, but I noticed there is a FCI&II set.

How is II and is it as good as the first? Or is it a "forced" sequel. Does it stand on its own?
Old 02-11-04, 10:21 AM
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I bought the FC I&II set, sight unseen and I can say that the sequel is average.

Basically, Popeye Doyle (Gene Hackman) goes to France to take down the connection where it starts. It's somewhat interesting to compare French law enforcement to American, but the true highlight of the movie is
Spoiler:
seeing Doyle strung out on heroin.
The ending is a little forced, but alright.

All and all, if there is a huge difference between the price of the single movie and set, I guess you could go for the single movie and not miss much, but for say $8 or $10, why not go whole hog?

Last edited by Brain Stew; 02-11-04 at 10:26 AM.
Old 02-11-04, 11:52 AM
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I think in a lot of ways FCII is actually better than FCI, which is also a great movie. I love the entire sequence where Doyle is
Spoiler:
hooked on heroin
, it's grim and gritty in a way movies just don't get anymore. I think it's definitely the equal of the first movie IMHO. It's a sequel which is definitely not just "for the money" but really continues the story of the first one and provides an ending.
Old 02-11-04, 12:17 PM
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not many sequels can meet the standrad of the original... this one can

it's exciting & different in some ways:
Popeye is single fighter now (no real partner)
different location BUT still as gritty as the original
the same suspense
new interesting twist in popeye

overall, great sequel
Old 02-11-04, 03:53 PM
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The original French Connection is my favorite film, and the sequel also has a special place on my list of favorite films. It is tough, gritty, has one of the best foot chases ever, and also contains one of Gene Hackman's best performances. You won't regret buying the box set. They're both superb movies.
Old 02-11-04, 04:09 PM
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It's a very credible sequel, well-done and well acted (Hackman is phenomenal in this) and while it does not match the original, it is a very satisfying movie worth seeing.
Old 02-11-04, 05:48 PM
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Great sequal.

I enjoy that fact that it is so different than the first. It uses the same character but tells a story with a very different feel and texture.

It's directed by John Frankenheimer (one of my favorite directors) and in some ways it feels more like his later film Ronin than it does the first French Connection.
Old 02-12-04, 12:25 AM
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A better Gene Hackman performance than part 1.
If they would have put in a crazy chase scene it would have been better than the 1st.
A good movie no question.
Old 02-12-04, 12:36 AM
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I saw this thread and was going to reply. However, all the people who posted before me got all the points I was going to make.

Bottom line: buy the set, you will not regret it, FCII is excellent.
Old 02-12-04, 07:40 AM
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I did it, got it for $27.00 shipped! Thanks for the help everyone, it's appreciated.
Old 02-12-04, 03:43 PM
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Now, what are you going to do when they release a three-pack with not only FRENCH CONNECTION I and II, but also FRENCH CONNECTION III, aka POPEYE DOYLE, starring Ed O'Neill, instead of Gene Hackman, as the lead ?

go to imdb.com and search for "Popeye Doyle"
Old 02-12-04, 05:06 PM
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Looks like I can can safely PASS on that one
Old 02-13-04, 07:27 AM
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Originally posted by jeffkjoe
Now, what are you going to do when they release a three-pack with not only FRENCH CONNECTION I and II, but also FRENCH CONNECTION III, aka POPEYE DOYLE, starring Ed O'Neill, instead of Gene Hackman, as the lead ?

go to imdb.com and search for "Popeye Doyle"

Quite simple - I will do what War says "War" is good for.
Old 01-23-15, 11:08 PM
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Re: How is French Connection II?

French Connection II is one of those extremely underrated films that you rarely hear about these days; like Speed 2, most folks don't even realize there was a second film.

I actually prefer FC II to the first film; the European setting is interesting, and it was interesting to see Popeye Doyle (Hackman) very much out of his comfort zone. The sequence when he unsuccessfully tried to communicate with the bartender in that one scene (Doyle only spoke English, and the bartender only spoke French) was quite amusing, and was more realistic than what we see in most Hollywood films, i.e. natives speaking English fluently, even in non-English speaking countries..

The withdrawal scenes in II
Spoiler:
(after Doyle is forced to become an addict by the criminals) are, IMHO, as good as Sinatra's acting in similar scenes from the classic Man with the Golden Arm...Quite harrowing...
Old 01-24-15, 06:27 PM
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Re: How is French Connection II?

Ironically to this day, 11 years later, I've never seen FCII but thanks for the necro bump.
Old 01-24-15, 06:32 PM
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Re: How is French Connection II?

I've never been interested in it. How was the BD?
Old 01-24-15, 06:40 PM
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Re: How is French Connection II?

It is a good film but I prefer the original for its gritty cinema verite style.
Old 01-25-15, 07:05 PM
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Re: How is French Connection II?

DVD Josh, there is talk about banning you for this bump

Check it

http://forum.dvdtalk.com/forum-feedb...l#post12375728

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