A must have
Summary
Lethal Weapon is worth picking up just for the two versions of the film in 4K; it’s too bad about the disappointing amount of special features, but what we get are entertaining and like I said the film itself makes this worth adding to the collection.
Plot: Following the death of his wife, Los Angeles police detective Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson) becomes reckless and suicidal. When he is reassigned and partnered with Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover), Riggs immediately clashes with the older officer. Together they uncover a massive drug-trafficking ring. As they encounter increasingly dangerous situations, Riggs and Murtaugh begin to form a bond. Riggs’ volatile behavior might just help them apprehend the criminals — if it doesn’t kill them both first.
Review: There isn’t much I can say about Lethal Weapon that hasn’t been said a million times before; to this day it remains one of the all-time great action films and for me at least is the best of the franchise.
Mel Gibson and Danny Glover are iconic as Riggs & Murtaugh, two mismatched cops forced to work together in order to solve a murder of the daughter of one of Murtaugh’s old war buddies.
The supporting cast includes Mitchell Ryan as The General with Gary Busey in one of his best roles as lead henchman Mr. Joshua. Al Leong shows up as the torturer Endo and John Carpenter favourite Tom Atkins appears as Hunsaker.
Lethal Weapon is perfectly paced and the director’s cut is the only version I watch now; the sniper scene is my favourite of the franchise alongside the “See you later…” sequence which as I’ve said before is the best acted and gut-wrenching scene of the series.
Despite being packed with fantastic action including shoot-outs explosions and a classic fight scene between Riggs and Joshua, the film never loses its heart. Riggs is a broken man after losing his wife whereas Roger has everything and he basically helps Riggs find a reason to live again. The movies get better as I get older and appreciate them more especially getting “too old for this shit” which I find myself saying on a regular basis.
The recently released 4K has both versions of the film and doesn’t include a Blu-ray but there is also a steelbook out which has both. There aren’t a ton of special features, but this is worth getting just for the two versions of the film in 4K. It looks and sounds perfect and is the best the film has ever looked.
Special Features:
A Legacy of Inspiration – Remembering Richard Donner (7:00)
I’m Too Old For this… – A Chemistry That Became Iconic (HD 6:06)
Not even 20 minutes’ worth of features is disappointing, especially considering the deleted scenes we got on the DVD which feels like a missed opportunity for such a classic film. The tribute to Richard Donner is incredibly moving, however, and by the end everyone is crying, including me which I wasn’t expecting.
Overall, Lethal Weapon is one of the best action movies of all-time and it’s great to have both the theatrical and directors’ cuts of the film in 4K. It’s too bad the features are so paltry, but the movie alone makes this worth buying.