Quick Movie Reviews
Rating of
4/4
Logan D. McCoy - wrote on 05/28/2019
Thrilling and engrossing can't even begin to describe "The French Connection."
Rating of
3/4
Gabe - wrote on 08/12/2016
Probably not the Best Picture of 1971, although it was a fairly week field, I would have preferred A Clockwork Orange. But, it's a fine film. I think it's a little overrated, but it's entertaining.
Rating of
2/4
Indyfreak - wrote on 01/23/2016
One of the most overrated films I've ever seen. This is the pre-eminent cop thriller in all of Hollywood history? What for? And don't bring up that car chase either! That chase is the only reason I give it any stars at all. It's certainly well made and exciting and all that jazz. Strangely it felt so out of place compared to the rest of the movie which is this grainy and dirty cop flick. It's as cheap as it looks and expects audiences to forgive its slow pace and unlikeable characters if we toss in a car chase in the mid section. Now way in hell did this deserve Best Picture.
Rating of
3.5/4
Unknown - wrote on 12/14/2011
An absorbing crime thriller. The gritty realism of the story was a great departure for the time it was released and has helped the film not loose any of it's thrill over the years. Tough characters populate an even tougher environment. This roughness is present within the story, taking some memorable turns for the worst.
Rating of
3.5/4
mitchellyoung - wrote on 11/05/2011
This is a murky crime thriller that seems to be more about atmosphere than it is about a clearcut plot. The grittiness and nastiness of Hackman's character sets it apart from most other crime films that feature "honorable" police officers. The car chase scene is, I think, the best ever made, besting even Bullitt's iconic chase.
Rating of
3.5/4
patjohnson76 - wrote on 09/05/2011
A solid and gritty crime drama, as two cops do what they can to break up a drug smuggling operation in early 1970s New York. Hackman is strong as Popeye Doyle, one of his more famous roles, and Scheider is strong as well as his partner. Director Friedkin gives us some smart scenes and angles in creating the tension and build-up as the cops zero in on their targets. Famous for its car chase scene (which modern audiences may find tame compared to today's special effects) and Hackman's Academy Award winning performance, TFC still holds up well in today's time.. Blu-ray release has, for some reason, a color tint to it to give it a grittier look, which is completely unnecessary.
Rating of
2.5/4
sapien - wrote on 02/13/2010
I didn't understand most of it. And, what little I did understand I didn't particularly care for. But, I'll give it the benefit of the doubt in my rating.
Rating of
3/4
TheWolf - wrote on 08/20/2007
The film at its core is a tense, slow-moving thriller, dramatic in its musical score and over-acted brutality. Scenes are left to their own devices, moving forth indeterminately, in a very drama-characteristic fashion. However, there's plenty of chasing and violence to satisfy an `action' classification. This action, however, is played so that it's less about the adrenaline rush, and more about that tense underlying heartbeat. The style of the film then, is a very paced and dingy chase scene.
Rating of
3/4
Chris Kavan - wrote on 07/24/2007
It may not be the masterpiece it's made out to be, but so many other films owe a debt of gratitude to the French Connection that it deserves respect. Hackman is great as the hard-nosed Det. "Popeye" Doyle - one of his best roles.
