French Connection 2 [VHS]

French Connection 2 [VHS]
by John Frankenheimer

French Connection 2 [VHS]

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Category: VHS Video
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Product details

Actor: Bernard Fresson, Charles Millot, Fernando Rey, Gene Hackman, Jean-Pierre Castaldi
Director: John Frankenheimer
Edition: VHS Tape
Audio: English (Original Language); French (Original Language)
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, HiFi Sound, NTSC
Running Time: 119 minutes
Release Date: 1994-01-05
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Publisher: 20th Century Fox
Studio: 20th Century Fox

VHS Movie Reviews of French Connection 2 [VHS]

Movie Review: richard bASOA
Summary: 3 Stars

I ordered the french connection,that was scratchy,and at times would not run,having me start all over.I bought the french connection ll,but in blu-ray,that doe's not work in my vcr.My mistake.Gave it to my neighbor.

Movie Review: Underrated, unfairly-based sequel finally gets the Blu-Ray treatment
Summary: 4 Stars

This review is for the Blu-Ray edition.

French Connection II is directed by John Frankenheimer and produced by Robert L. Rosen. It is written by Laurie Dillon, Robert Dillon, and Alexander Jacobs, and stars Gene Hackman (The Conversation, Bonnie and Clyde, Superman series), Fernando Rey, Bernard Fresson, Philippe Leotard, Ed Lauter (The Longest Yard, Death Wish III, Revenge of the Nerds II), and Charles Millot, and Jean-Pierre Castaldi.

French Connection II is the sequel to William Friedkin's Best Picture-winning 1971 hit, The French Connection. Gene Hackman once again stars as Popeye Doyle, the hard-headed cop willing to do anything necessary to do the job - even if it's less than desirable. Fernando Rey returns as Charnier, the mastermind behind the French Connection operation that Doyle set out to stop in the original film.

Unlike the original French Connection, which was a semi-fictionalized account of factual events, the sequel is entirely fictional and not based on any true events. It picks up where the original left off - with Popeye Doyle narrowly missing the opportunity to get his man. He sets off for France on a hunt for Charnier - the mastermind who got away. And, in true Popeye Doyle style - aims to get his man no matter what it takes.

You can't follow up a film like the original French Connection - William Friedkin's award-winning classic. For years I didn't even know a sequel to that movie existed. Needless to say, I approached John Frankenheimer's sequel with skepticism. After all, it was a sequel, which are rarely as good as the original, and it wasn't even based on true events. So, enough idle talk. Is French Connection II a good film?

Surprisingly, yes. Not the classic Friedkin's movie was, but a damn good movie nonetheless.

Hackman and Rey reprise their respective roles just as well as they played them the first time around. Gene Hackman is one of the greatest American actors that has ever lived, and Popeye Doyle ranks amongst his finest roles. Is there anything this guy CAN'T play well? The supporting cast fares nearly as well, though you're going to miss Roy Scheider, who was the perfect balance to Doyle in the original. Still, the supporting cast is great, and even includes an often-forgotten performance by the underrated Ed Lauter. One of the reasons this doesn't suffer from "sequel syndrome" as heavy as some sequels is because of the quality of its actors and performances. Enough said.

The movie gets a very good transfer for its first release on Blu. All in all, I would say the film looks above average as far as movies from the seventies on Blu-Ray go. I've seen better-looking transfers of movies from this era, but I've also seem some that look far worse. Overall, this belongs in the upper group. The filming style used here is very gritty and maintains the feel of Friedkin's film, to a point, but also manages to have a feel all its own due to the exotic locales. Grain is consistent throughout and never a problem. The lossless audio track featured here is a bit unfocused, though certainly far from bad. All in all, this underrated gem of a film gets good treatment in high definition.

Unlike the first film, which got the two-disc treatment for its Blu debut, the sequel is only one disc. But fear not, there are still plenty of features. A commentary track recorded a few years back is provided, most likely filmed for an earlier DVD release of the film. It's a nice look into the making of the movie from the crew's point of view. Featurettes focusing on Hackman and Frankenheimer alike appear as well, and while not the most in-depth features, they're still worth checking out - particularly the Frankenheimer piece. Also included is an isolated score track, something any fan of movie scores will enjoy - as Don Ellis did such a good job with the music on this film and the original. A good handful of extras for a film I thought would get the bare bones treatment.

An underrated sequel finally gets its dues in high definition. French Connection II isn't the classic its predecessor was, but it doesn't try to be, and perhaps most importantly, it doesn't have to be. It's a good film with its own merits. Any fan of crime drama, seventies cinema, Hackman, Frankenheimer, or the original movie should check this one out. Recommended.

Movie Review: "...This Is Not New York, Messieur Doyle..."
Summary: 4 Stars

After the thoroughly depressing print on the Blu Ray reissue of "French Connection 1" (see separate review) - it's a pleasure to say that FC2 is an entirely different kettle of fish.

From the moment Gene Hackman steps out of the taxi by the closed gates of the beleaguered French cop shop in Marseilles - you notice the clarity - his dapper white shirt - the fish stalls - the painted railings.... Then he pops on his trademark Popeye Doyle porkpie hat - and again - the colour is gorgeous - and it stays that way even in the dark night scenes - fully restored from start to finish. There's little or no scratches, although there is some wobbling of the camera - hand-held scenes - deliberately filmed that way I imagine (like the 1st movie).

And as everyone also knows, this is one of those sequels that equals if not tops the original. A fantastic stand alone film - although you do miss the presence of Roy Schreider as a sidekick. And that addiction scene is as harrowing now as it was back then...

The extras are the same as the DVD I bought a few years ago, but the colour on this 1080 print is just so sweet to look at - fans will have to own it.

Recommended - especially after the depressing experience of seeing the masterful first instalment more Blur Ray than Blu Ray.

Movie Review: Camera Shake
Summary: 1 Stars

Due to the severe camera shake I can only give this one star. I had to look away several times to avoid getting dizzy. Gene Hackman, as always, did a great job.

Movie Review: Bring some water...a lot of water...
Summary: 5 Stars

Stripped of his ability to communicate and his intimate knowledge of his surroundings (in NYC), and forced into a heroin addiction which he must shake and then recover from, Popeye Doyle is down to his bare essence as a man and man-hunter. He is NOT smart, he is NOT clever, he is NOT from Marseilles, he is outmatched in this chess game...all he is, is TOUGH and DETERMINED. He finds his way back from the weakness of addiction by forcing his body into action, he finds his way back to the Hotel D'Tanger by walking the streets relentlessly. He exacts his revenge on the very building. He finds Charnier, pushes his body past what it is capable of to pursue him. He will not stop until one of them is dead or in prison.

A further exploration of an obsessed mind belonging to a man of action. I liked it even better than the first.

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