Alright team, gather 'round the flickering glow of the imaginary CRT. Tonight, we're pulling a slightly less common, but utterly charming, sequel off the dusty shelves of memory: Claude Zidi's My New Partner II (or Ripoux contre ripoux as our French cousins know it), which landed in 1990. Forget the explosive Rambo sequels for a moment; this follow-up offered a different kind of thrill – the smooth, witty banter and delightfully dodgy dealings of Paris's most corrupt (and somehow lovable) police duo. Finding this on VHS felt like uncovering a slightly sophisticated, cigarette-smoke-tinged secret, a world away from the usual Hollywood buddy cop formula.
### Back on the Beat, Parisian Style
Six years after the original Les Ripoux (1984) became a sensation in France – seriously, it swept the Césars, bagging Best Film and Best Director for Zidi, plus a Best Actor nod for the legendary Philippe Noiret – we rejoin René Boirond (Philippe Noiret) and François Lesbuche (Thierry Lhermitte). Remember the setup? René, the seen-it-all veteran cop padding his meagre salary with petty graft and charm, reluctantly took on François, the idealistic rookie. The first film was all about René hilariously corrupting François, teaching him the subtle art of the hustle in their Montmartre beat. It was Gallic charm personified, cynical yet warm.
My New Partner II cleverly flips the script, or at least nudges it sideways. François, once the wide-eyed innocent, has now fully embraced the ripoux lifestyle, perhaps even surpassing his mentor in his enthusiasm for bending the rules. The plot kicks off when René is framed for corruption (the irony!) by actual bad cops, landing him in hot water and threatening his pension. It falls to François, now the seasoned partner, to clear René's name, naturally using the very methods René taught him.
### The Chemistry Remains King
What makes this sequel click, much like the original, is the undeniable chemistry between Philippe Noiret and Thierry Lhermitte. Noiret, an absolute giant of French cinema (you might know him from the heart-wrenching Cinema Paradiso (1988)), embodies René with such effortless, world-weary charisma. He’s like your favorite slightly disreputable uncle, the one who always has a twinkle in his eye and a scheme up his sleeve. Retro Fun Fact: Noiret's performance in the first film was so beloved it practically cemented the character in French pop culture. Returning to the role felt less like a job and more like visiting an old friend for audiences.
Thierry Lhermitte, already a star thanks to his work with the comedy troupe Le Splendid (think Les Bronzés or Santa Claus is a Stinker), is equally brilliant. Watching François shift from the reluctant apprentice of the first film to the confident, perhaps overly eager, operator in the second is a joy. Their banter feels lived-in, authentic, bouncing off each other with perfect timing honed by their previous outing. It's less about explosive action and more about the intricate dance of their partnership. Adding to the mix is the reliably excellent Guy Marchand as Inspector Brisson, another familiar face bringing his own brand of dry wit to the proceedings.
### Zidi's Comedic Touch and 90s Paris
Director Claude Zidi was a master of mainstream French comedy, directing huge stars like Louis de Funès (L'Aile ou la Cuisse, 1976) and later tackling blockbusters like Asterix & Obelix vs. Caesar (1999). His style here is confident and unfussy. He lets the characters and the dialogue breathe, using the Parisian backdrop not just as scenery, but as an integral part of the film's atmosphere. The city looks fantastic, captured with that slightly gritty, real-world feel common in early 90s cinematography, before digital smoothing took over. You can almost smell the Gauloises and the espresso.
The comedy isn't broad slapstick; it's rooted in character, situation, and clever plotting. The schemes François cooks up to exonerate René are enjoyably convoluted, playing on the established rules (or lack thereof) of their particular brand of policing. Retro Fun Fact: Filming extensively on location in real Paris neighbourhoods like Montmartre was key to the original's appeal, and Zidi wisely continued that approach here, grounding the sometimes farcical elements in a tangible reality. It just feels French, in the best possible way.
While the plot might feel a tad more conventional than the original's inspired corruption arc, the execution is still sharp. There are foot chases and moments of tension, but they feel grounded compared to the hyper-stylized action dominating American screens at the time. The thrill comes from watching our heroes outsmart their opponents, often by bending the law into a pretzel.
### Still Partners in Crime?
Compared to its predecessor, My New Partner II might lack a tiny bit of the original's fresh spark – the central joke of corrupting the rookie is replaced by a more standard "clear my name" plot. However, it compensates with the sheer pleasure of spending more time with these characters, now operating as true equals in charming crookedness. It was another box office success in France, proving audiences were eager for more Ripoux adventures (a third film, Ripoux 3, followed in 2003, though it's generally considered the weakest link).
For VHS hunters who appreciate character-driven comedies with wit and charm, My New Partner II is a delightful find. It’s a reminder that buddy cop movies didn’t always need massive explosions and screamed one-liners; sometimes, clever dialogue and pitch-perfect performances were more than enough. It captures a specific flavour of early 90s European popular cinema – smart, funny, and effortlessly cool.
VHS Heaven Rating: 7.5 / 10
Justification: While not quite reaching the iconic status of the original, My New Partner II is a thoroughly enjoyable and well-crafted sequel powered by the superb chemistry of its leads. It delivers laughs, charm, and a lovely slice of 90s Paris. The plot is solid, the performances are top-notch, and it retains the unique spirit that made the first film a hit. It loses a point or two for lacking the groundbreaking originality of the first, but it's still prime comfort viewing.
Final Thought: Forget high-octane chases; sometimes the smoothest moves are the small-time grifts pulled off with Gallic flair, best enjoyed on a slightly worn tape that crackles with character. Definitely worth tracking down if you missed it back in the day.