Finally read the novel.

This film is a laudable adaptation in how they culled and reworked the novel into a feature length. The novel is fairly epic in its scope and cast and goes so much harder and darker than any mainstream studio would have allowed. I kind of enjoy how the film's ending. The novel's ending is more complex.

Finally read the novel.

This film is an impressive adaptation laser focused on its themes and how to show them.

I watched the Encore cut.

I really enjoyed the gangster/musical mash-up. The whole cast is fantastic and entertaining—especially Gregory Hines and excluding Richard Gere (except for his cornet playing) who sounds as flat as Harrison Ford's narration in the theatrical cut of Blade Runner (1982).

I think I may have seen the theatrical cut at some point in the past but it might have been a different movie about a Cotton Club type of place…

If you were disappointed by its predecessor's ending, you'll probably enjoy this Dirty Harry edition of (The) French Connection: Part Deux.