The French Connection did not need a sequel, but it got one: French Connection II. Like most sequels, French Connection II sucks. French Connection II is less of a thriller and more of a crime drama. French Connection II seems more motivated at examining and punishing the ugly American tourist than continuing the story. Popeye Doyle comes to Marseilles to capture the head French drug smuggler and proceeds to have the worse business trip ever.
French Connection II has great elements and iconic scenes that do not come together to form a cohesive or interesting story. Gene Hackman is really raw and emotional in French Connection II. Hackman holds nothing back. Unfortunately Hackman does not have an actor with the same amount of powerful yet contrasting presence as Roy Schneider to play against. The scene when an old woman “comforts” Doyle is chilling and is probably the most powerful moment in French Connection II. I also feel like Revenge and other tv shows and movies owe French Connection II for the character forced to become addicted to drugs trope.
Unfortunately French Connection II suffers from mistaking more explosions, more outrageous Doyle behavior and a foreign location as a way to make up for lack of story. If you like The French Connection, skip French Connection II unless you must see every Gene Hackman film.