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French Connection II (1975)

Rate: 9
Viewed: 1/14

FC2
1/14: As a sequel, French Connection II holds the rare distinction for being better than the original even though it was a Best Picture winner.

The follow-up is more action-packed with the added international flavor as a bonus. Moreover, the performances are outstanding. Gene Hackman was okay in the original, but he's way better here because his character is more real, human, and funny. In fact, his anguished cry "Mickey Mantle sucks!" did make me laugh.

The best part is the ending which is a fitting finish for the long saga of The French Connection. At the outset, as the opening credits rolled, when I saw who the director of the film was which is John Frankenheimer, my expectations were immediately shot up. I knew that I was going to be in for a ride because he could turn a movie with a seemingly bland plot into a masterly crafted picture. Well, he did it again for French Connection II.

All in all, French Connection II is a thrilling picture with one of the best performances by Gene Hackman.