French Connection II
Twentieth Century Fox | Release Date: May 21, 1975 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
68
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 9 Critic Reviews
Positive:
6
Mixed:
3
Negative:
0
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
100
Entertainment WeeklySteve Simels
French Connection II is not exactly a fun flick (there’s a harrowing sequence where the bad guys shoot Hackman full of heroin, for example), but in its own twisted way it’s something of an art film — perhaps the most profoundly absurdist and pessimistic detective film ever made. Read full review
80
Time OutStaff (Not Credited)
Hackman takes the enlarged role by the scruff of the neck and delivers yet another fine performance of doubt and the dawning awareness of his own weakness. Frankenheimer directs in taut, pacy fashion to keep the suspense high. Read full review
75
TV Guide MagazineStaff (Not Credited)
Surprisingly good follow-up to the original tough crime drama. Read full review
70
The New York TimesVincent Canby
The concerns of French Connection II are not much different from those of old Saturday-afternoon movie serials that used to place their supermen in jeopardy and then figure ways of getting them out. The difference is in the quality of the supermen and in their predicaments. Read full review
70
VarietyStaff (Not Credited)
Hackman’s performance is another career highlight, ranging from cocky narc, Ugly American, helpless addict, humbled ego and relentless avenger. Read full review
63
Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert
The plot, the pursuit, the quarry, are all forgotten during Hackman's one-man show, and it's a flaw the movie doesn't overcome. Read full review
60
IGNR. L. Shaffer
Director Frankenheimer does his best to keep the film moving, and he succeeds admirably in the final act, but the 90 minutes of dreck that precede the finale are of little interest, perhaps even tainting one's enjoyment of the first film, which is something no sequel should ever do. Read full review
60
NewsweekPaul D. Zimmerman
If the movie ultimately doesn't work, this can be said in Frankenheimer's defense: that, with every right and probably much pressure to do so, he refused to rip off The French Connection as so many films with other names already had. [26 May 1975, p.84]
50
Chicago ReaderDon Druker
A slick reprise of all the elements that clicked in the original with none of the seedy originality that made it work. Read full review
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