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Lethal Weapon 4, is an action-packed, humorous,
endearing and violent sequel, that continues the story where
Lethal Weapon 3 left off. Riggs & Murtaugh do battle with
the Chinese underworld, and their dastardly plan, as well as
dealing with their own family problems & dilemmas. It is
a well-woven mix of the main characters' personal and professional
lives. While the dialog is witty, and pretty funny & clever,
making the family scenes, the work scenes, and the banter between
the characters chortling entertainment, the chase scenes are
fast-paced, the martial arts / gun battles are very well planned
out, intense, realistic, violent, and sometimes graphic (Rated
R), which makes the film a great genre for both; viewers who
like high - intensity action flicks and viewers who like enduring
stories, with a witty comedic flavor.
In their professional world of Law enforcement,
Riggs, Murtaugh, and new man, Butter (Rock), find themselves
on the trail of the criminal element behind the illegal smuggling
of Chinese people, found on an old, Chinese freighter. This
trail, of course leads to the discovery of who was behind it,
why it was done, and the grander purpose of the bad guys, which
of course, is illegal and villainous. Encounters with the bad
guys are action-packed, intense, sometimes violent but always
entertaining in the proud tradition of an action picture genre.
In their personal lives, Riggs (Gibson), is
living, and very much in love with a very pregnant Sgt. Cole
(Russo), and is struggling with the marriage question; He wants
to, but feels conflicted, because of the love he still has for
his long-dead, first wife. He is also starting to feel his age,
in his line of work. Murtaugh (Glover), is still the family
man, finding it expensive having two kids in college, besides
being a little upset because his eldest, unmarried daughter,
Reanne, is pregnant. He doesn't know the truth; She is scared
to tell him that she is married, because of whom she married.
As it often does, their police case intermingles
with their personal life, resulting in some startling, action-packed
consequences, that change some of the attitudes of the characters
involved, all for the better.
Parents must take the R rating seriously. The
potty words, & the four-letter variety used by certain characters,
(mainly Butter & Leo Getz), while defining the characters'
personality & feelings, would probably not be the best example
for one's offspring. More importantly, many parts of the action
phases would upset children, if not give them nightmares, not
to mention the intense moments in the script. The bad guys do
ugly things that are evil and scary.
Speaking of evil and scary, the well-known
martial artist, (now turned actor), Jet Li, does a fabulous
job, verbally and physically as the psychopathic, merciless,
cruel, obsessed Chinese underworld mastermind, whose character
shows off his martial arts abilities in exact precision, killing
people who cross him, displease him, or get in his way. A key
phrase of this menacing character, accompanied with a cold,
bone-chilling stare, was "If this was Hong Kong, you would
be dead!" This total package of evil, displayed by Li,
makes him the nightmare king! Just him alone would cause children
to look under the bed or in the closet for weeks, not to mention
his thug companions, who carry out some of his dirty work, without
question.
The chemistry between Glover, Gibson, Russo,
Pesci, Rock, and the other familiar characters from the other
Lethal Weapon films, sparkles with comedy, and enduring moments,
and creates enjoyable ensemble work among this talented cast,
under an experienced, gifted, action film director, Richard
Donner, who also directed the other Lethal Weapon films. The
film has the underlying theme that (related and unrelated) family
bonds and love can be what binds us, upholds us, and strengthens
us, becoming a source of support that can get us through anything.
As they all help each other along during this film, the message
is clear by the end of the movie.
Favorite action scenes: The opening fire maniac
scene, Chinese freighter fight scenes, the sinking of Rodger's
prized boat, Chinatown chase, the fight, and ensuing mayhem
inside Murtaugh's home, the great freeway chase, and the intense,
memorable last fight scene, not only between the good guys and
the bad guys, but also the Riggs and Murtaugh verses Jet Li
intense ending battle.
Lethal Weapon 4 is a great mixture of intense
action, comedy, drama, and character development and growth,
all intermingled together in a well-paced, well-written script,
that many find exciting, entertaining, and uplifting.
Screenplay by: Channing Gibson. Story by: Jonathan
Lemkin and Alfred Gough & Miles Milar. Produced by: Richard
Donner & Joel Silver. Edited by: Frank J. Urioste.
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