Above average Hollywood formula action movie that is also the worst of the LETHAL WEAPON series but still is a cut above the typical Hollywood action fare.Why?Star chemistry is the key as with the rest of the other LETHAL WEAPON efforts.This one was too watered down for more mainstream appeal (quick cash) and had a much more comedy atomsphere,thus in effect,lampooning themselves.Average script and below average screenplay.Action packed but cartoonish in style.The acting was passe as well.Star power and charm simply carried this energetic movie.Only for big police action movie fans.........
299 Reviews
An excellent movie
MinorityReporter9 August 2005
Who said all movie series become worse with every installment? Lethal Weapon 4 is probably the best fourth movie in a series ever. I find it incredible that the magic is still there. The main characters still feed of each other and their friendship (both on set and off set) is clearly felt in every scene they have together. Mel Gibson has finally laid the ghost of his wife to rest and is as chipper as ever. He does this without seeming truly obnoxious (even though that is a part of his character). In fact he seems more likable in this film than he did in all the previous films. Danny Glover reprises his role from the previous movies and that is not a bad thing because the Murtaugh role is the best of his career. Rene Ruso returns in her part and although it has been cut down considerably its still a decent role. Joe Pesci is also back and this time around he gets to add some depth to the character (something that was missing in the previous film). Chris Rock is decent. He isn't much of an actor but he is pretty funny and fresh. His part also adds a little something to the all-round comedy of the film, but if you want to know what it is you will have to watch the movie yourself. Jet Li is the villain in this movie and while he is the weakest villain in the series acting wise, he is definitely the most menacing.
The action is still brilliant despite the fact that the actors are getting older. The story is decent for a fourth film and the overall execution is brilliant. I actually prefer this film to the second and third of the series because I find it to be more entertaining overall. It cuts down on the seriousness (even though its still there) and adds a lot to the comedy and this is a very good choice.
All in all an excellent film. Highly recommendable for all fans of action movies and the series in particular.
8/10
The action is still brilliant despite the fact that the actors are getting older. The story is decent for a fourth film and the overall execution is brilliant. I actually prefer this film to the second and third of the series because I find it to be more entertaining overall. It cuts down on the seriousness (even though its still there) and adds a lot to the comedy and this is a very good choice.
All in all an excellent film. Highly recommendable for all fans of action movies and the series in particular.
8/10
The 'Lethal Weapon' series doesn't end with a bang but it hardly ends on a whimper either
TheLittleSongbird11 July 2017
Talking about the other films for a minute, while not perfect, the first film is very good and one of the best buddy-cop films there is (important to the development of them too). 'Lethal Weapon 2' was almost as good, and while 'Lethal Weapon 3' was a little disappointing it was still fun.
Which is pretty much the same personal opinion for 'Lethal Weapon 4', though a slight improvement over the third. Like the third film, its weak link is the story, except it's even messier than that and sometimes has a going through the motions, tame feel, especially when one can't help comparing to the first two. It also could have done with having less going on and less characters, it did feel over-stuffed and muddled.
'Lethal Weapon 4's' script is also the weakest in this component of the series. Not awful, as some of it is very funny and still intrigues, but there seemed to be too much of an emphasis on sentimentality and especially humour. The humour works better, because there are actually some funny moments like the dentist scene and the fried rice line but there were other parts where it was overdone. The sentimentality really doesn't work, am aware it's for character development but it was done in a very mawkish and under-cooked way and felt really odds and tacked on with the rest of the film.
Was mixed on Chris Rock. Was expecting him to be a disaster and be completely out of place. The good news is that he is a little better than expected, there are times where he is amusing and has some good lines and moments with the rest of the cast. Not so good is that he featured in the film too heavily and some of Rock's shtick is overdone and annoying, when you already have Joe Pesci as a motor-mouth it feels overkill.
However, the way 'Lethal Weapon 4' is shot and designed screams slick and stylish while Richard Donner once again directs with an assured hand. The score is atmospheric and groovy.
Parts of the script doe entertain hugely and crackle in wit and tension, especially the aforementioned moments.
Once again, the action is slick and bursts with excitement and tension, with terrific stunts and the sheer scale of them being worthy of huge admiration. The freeway scene and Jet Li's final fight are two of the series' best action sequences It is very easy to see why the chalk and cheese chemistry of the polar opposite characters of Riggs and Murtaugh became so popular, very rarely in a buddy-cop film has this kind of chemistry been so entertaining and perfectly pitched.
Mel Gibson continues to excel in a performance as witty and intense has before. Danny Glover gives Murtaugh the right amount of spirit, subtlety and no-nonsense attitude.
Joe Pesci, despite the character being a thrown-in plot device, is closer to the funny character he was in the second and not the irritating one in the third. Rene Russo's role is not as fresh and fairly side-lined but she is a lovely presence. While underused, Jet Li is a calmly sinister villain with some truly indestructibly awesome fighting skills, for me the second best overall villain of the series after Gary Busey in the original.
In summary, fun if not blowing the mind. Doesn't see the series going out with a bang, but a long way from a whimper despite a few sizeable flaws threatening to make it so. 7/10 Bethany Cox
Which is pretty much the same personal opinion for 'Lethal Weapon 4', though a slight improvement over the third. Like the third film, its weak link is the story, except it's even messier than that and sometimes has a going through the motions, tame feel, especially when one can't help comparing to the first two. It also could have done with having less going on and less characters, it did feel over-stuffed and muddled.
'Lethal Weapon 4's' script is also the weakest in this component of the series. Not awful, as some of it is very funny and still intrigues, but there seemed to be too much of an emphasis on sentimentality and especially humour. The humour works better, because there are actually some funny moments like the dentist scene and the fried rice line but there were other parts where it was overdone. The sentimentality really doesn't work, am aware it's for character development but it was done in a very mawkish and under-cooked way and felt really odds and tacked on with the rest of the film.
Was mixed on Chris Rock. Was expecting him to be a disaster and be completely out of place. The good news is that he is a little better than expected, there are times where he is amusing and has some good lines and moments with the rest of the cast. Not so good is that he featured in the film too heavily and some of Rock's shtick is overdone and annoying, when you already have Joe Pesci as a motor-mouth it feels overkill.
However, the way 'Lethal Weapon 4' is shot and designed screams slick and stylish while Richard Donner once again directs with an assured hand. The score is atmospheric and groovy.
Parts of the script doe entertain hugely and crackle in wit and tension, especially the aforementioned moments.
Once again, the action is slick and bursts with excitement and tension, with terrific stunts and the sheer scale of them being worthy of huge admiration. The freeway scene and Jet Li's final fight are two of the series' best action sequences It is very easy to see why the chalk and cheese chemistry of the polar opposite characters of Riggs and Murtaugh became so popular, very rarely in a buddy-cop film has this kind of chemistry been so entertaining and perfectly pitched.
Mel Gibson continues to excel in a performance as witty and intense has before. Danny Glover gives Murtaugh the right amount of spirit, subtlety and no-nonsense attitude.
Joe Pesci, despite the character being a thrown-in plot device, is closer to the funny character he was in the second and not the irritating one in the third. Rene Russo's role is not as fresh and fairly side-lined but she is a lovely presence. While underused, Jet Li is a calmly sinister villain with some truly indestructibly awesome fighting skills, for me the second best overall villain of the series after Gary Busey in the original.
In summary, fun if not blowing the mind. Doesn't see the series going out with a bang, but a long way from a whimper despite a few sizeable flaws threatening to make it so. 7/10 Bethany Cox
The Magic Was Still There
Big Movie Fan23 May 2002
It is extremely rare for the fourth film in a series to be just as good as it's three predecessors. Lethal Weapon 4 was awesome.
Mel Gibson and Danny Glover had no trouble recreating the magic from the first three films. The humour was there, the action was there and the chemistry between them was there. Joe Pesci was back as Leo Getz.
Lethal Weapon 3 was released in 1992, Lethal Weapon 4 was released in 1998. Six years had passed yet none of the actors or production staff involved in Lethal Weapon 4 had any problem in making a great movie.
The action throughout is brilliant (are real American policemen as mad as Riggs and Murtaugh?). And of course the humour is there; particularly the beginning of the movie where Murtaugh (Danny Glover) strips down to his underwear in the rain and acts like a chicken in order to distract the bad guy. There are other humorous scenes throughout and a great plot too.
Roll on Lethal Weapon 5.
Mel Gibson and Danny Glover had no trouble recreating the magic from the first three films. The humour was there, the action was there and the chemistry between them was there. Joe Pesci was back as Leo Getz.
Lethal Weapon 3 was released in 1992, Lethal Weapon 4 was released in 1998. Six years had passed yet none of the actors or production staff involved in Lethal Weapon 4 had any problem in making a great movie.
The action throughout is brilliant (are real American policemen as mad as Riggs and Murtaugh?). And of course the humour is there; particularly the beginning of the movie where Murtaugh (Danny Glover) strips down to his underwear in the rain and acts like a chicken in order to distract the bad guy. There are other humorous scenes throughout and a great plot too.
Roll on Lethal Weapon 5.
Not a bad conclusion to the quadrilogy
Beta_Gallinger9 August 2009
After what was by far the longest gap between "Lethal Weapon" movies, the fourth installment in the quadrilogy finally came into theatres, six years after the third one. I was only about six months old when the original was first released, and by the time this fourth one came out, I was nearing adolescence, but was still too young to watch R-rated movies. I've seen all four LW films for the first time this year. Watching this 1998 action comedy's three predecessors, it seemed to me that each one showed a slight drop in quality from the last, so I had fairly low expectations for this fourth one, but still planned to finish watching the series. Many may disagree, but I think this one actually showed a slight improvement after "Lethal Weapon 3".
Sergeant Martin Riggs' girlfriend, Lorna Cole, is now pregnant, so he will soon be a father. Sergeant Roger Murtaugh, meanwhile, will soon be a grandfather, as his daughter, Rianne, is pregnant. One night, Murtaugh and Riggs are out on a fishing trip on Murtaugh's boat with their chatterbox friend, Leo Getz, who has become a private investigator. However, on this trip, trouble finds them once again, as their boat is struck by a large vessel! After a fight against Chinese men aboard this vessel, Riggs discovers that it is full of Chinese slaves! Detective Ng believes that Chinatown crime boss "Uncle Benny" Chan has something to do with this smuggling. Since Cole is pregnant, she cannot help out much on this mission, but Riggs and Murtaugh are sent along with Getz and Detective Lee Butters, the father of Murtaugh's grandchild, to take on the Chinese Triads. Riggs and Murtaugh are now both showing signs of aging, which unfortunately will not help them on this mission.
In addition to the action in the "Lethal Weapon" franchise, you also expect humour, and there's lots of that here. I definitely laughed during the intro, with Murtaugh clucking like a chicken in his boxers during a confrontation on the street. Joe Pesci once again plays Leo Getz, and this character is still funny, with his conflict with the two main characters, and the scene around the beginning with the shark on the boat. This third sequel also introduces Detective Lee Butters, played by Chris Rock. The confrontation with Butters and Getz on the road had me in hysterics! There are some good action sequences as well, with fights and chases, which definitely had me in suspense. Unlike LW 3, Rene Russo doesn't steal the show here as Lorna Cole, though she could have if the character had not been made pregnant. Also, the romance between Cole and Riggs, while maybe still not perfect, was done a bit better here than in the previous film. The film also has some significant problems, however. The laughing gas scene is rather tedious, our heroes take a tad too many blows in the fight sequences, and the film left me wanting just a bit more.
Like probably most people, I would say the original "Lethal Weapon" is the best of the bunch. However, I think "Lethal Weapon 4" comes in third, inferior to both LW films from the 80's, but better than the first one of the 90's. I know many would disagree, but I would say this fourth installment in the quadrilogy was a good end to the series. There have been talks about "Lethal Weapon 5" coming out in 2012, which have been on again and off again. Since I've found contradicting news articles on this project, I don't know whether it's happening or not (maybe nobody does), but I don't know if it would be a good idea anyway. It's been over a decade since the last installment in the series, and too many sequels can be a problem. Well, whether they make a fifth movie or not, and whether it turns out to be any good or not, overall, the four films that have already been made make a good action comedy series.
Sergeant Martin Riggs' girlfriend, Lorna Cole, is now pregnant, so he will soon be a father. Sergeant Roger Murtaugh, meanwhile, will soon be a grandfather, as his daughter, Rianne, is pregnant. One night, Murtaugh and Riggs are out on a fishing trip on Murtaugh's boat with their chatterbox friend, Leo Getz, who has become a private investigator. However, on this trip, trouble finds them once again, as their boat is struck by a large vessel! After a fight against Chinese men aboard this vessel, Riggs discovers that it is full of Chinese slaves! Detective Ng believes that Chinatown crime boss "Uncle Benny" Chan has something to do with this smuggling. Since Cole is pregnant, she cannot help out much on this mission, but Riggs and Murtaugh are sent along with Getz and Detective Lee Butters, the father of Murtaugh's grandchild, to take on the Chinese Triads. Riggs and Murtaugh are now both showing signs of aging, which unfortunately will not help them on this mission.
In addition to the action in the "Lethal Weapon" franchise, you also expect humour, and there's lots of that here. I definitely laughed during the intro, with Murtaugh clucking like a chicken in his boxers during a confrontation on the street. Joe Pesci once again plays Leo Getz, and this character is still funny, with his conflict with the two main characters, and the scene around the beginning with the shark on the boat. This third sequel also introduces Detective Lee Butters, played by Chris Rock. The confrontation with Butters and Getz on the road had me in hysterics! There are some good action sequences as well, with fights and chases, which definitely had me in suspense. Unlike LW 3, Rene Russo doesn't steal the show here as Lorna Cole, though she could have if the character had not been made pregnant. Also, the romance between Cole and Riggs, while maybe still not perfect, was done a bit better here than in the previous film. The film also has some significant problems, however. The laughing gas scene is rather tedious, our heroes take a tad too many blows in the fight sequences, and the film left me wanting just a bit more.
Like probably most people, I would say the original "Lethal Weapon" is the best of the bunch. However, I think "Lethal Weapon 4" comes in third, inferior to both LW films from the 80's, but better than the first one of the 90's. I know many would disagree, but I would say this fourth installment in the quadrilogy was a good end to the series. There have been talks about "Lethal Weapon 5" coming out in 2012, which have been on again and off again. Since I've found contradicting news articles on this project, I don't know whether it's happening or not (maybe nobody does), but I don't know if it would be a good idea anyway. It's been over a decade since the last installment in the series, and too many sequels can be a problem. Well, whether they make a fifth movie or not, and whether it turns out to be any good or not, overall, the four films that have already been made make a good action comedy series.
The fourth installment in the now huge Lethal Weapon series has no shortage of action, but it just doesn't have the high quality of the last three.
Anonymous_Maxine22 January 2001
By this point in the series, it seems that they just aren't trying as hard with these films, which is kind of a shame. The Lethal Weapon series is really a good group of action films, but part 4 doesn't really seem to take itself seriously. It clearly had the biggest budget and probably some of the most elaborate stunts and action scenes (as well as some of the most exciting, such as that thrilling freeway chase scene), but many of the other elements of the film have deteriorated badly.
I think that with the addition of Chris Rock, while he delivered a satisfactory performance as far as the role that he was playing, caused the film to detract into too much goofy comedy, which unnecessarily diverted attention away from the surprisingly interesting smuggling plot involving illegal Chinese immigrants and counterfeit money. Joe Pesci was just as funny as ever, which is probably the reason the Chris Rock actually took away from the film as a whole. Pesci is all the comic relief that a Lethal Weapon movie ever needed, and Rock is another substantial addition of comic relief that just isn't necessary.
Danny Glover and Mel Gibson work great together for the fourth time; I'm beginning to wonder if they couldn't go on with this great duo forever. And of course, Renee Russo is back, with her and Riggs picking up with their quirky relationship, right where they left off at the end of part 3. But the person who really steals the whole show is Jet Li. Man, I thought Jackie Chan was fun to watch! Even though it's not all exactly real, this guy pulls out some unbelievable martial arts moves that give Lethal Weapon 4 a much-needed boost of energy. I wonder how long it will be before Jet Li and Jackie Chan come out with a movie together. Probably never, because if they worked together, no one could touch them, and if they were enemies, neither of them would be able to end up as the loser or the bad guy. Oh well, we can still hope, right? Even though the 4th installment in the Lethal Weapon series is not nearly as good as any of the previous three, it still remains a quality action film, despite its many weaknesses.
I think that with the addition of Chris Rock, while he delivered a satisfactory performance as far as the role that he was playing, caused the film to detract into too much goofy comedy, which unnecessarily diverted attention away from the surprisingly interesting smuggling plot involving illegal Chinese immigrants and counterfeit money. Joe Pesci was just as funny as ever, which is probably the reason the Chris Rock actually took away from the film as a whole. Pesci is all the comic relief that a Lethal Weapon movie ever needed, and Rock is another substantial addition of comic relief that just isn't necessary.
Danny Glover and Mel Gibson work great together for the fourth time; I'm beginning to wonder if they couldn't go on with this great duo forever. And of course, Renee Russo is back, with her and Riggs picking up with their quirky relationship, right where they left off at the end of part 3. But the person who really steals the whole show is Jet Li. Man, I thought Jackie Chan was fun to watch! Even though it's not all exactly real, this guy pulls out some unbelievable martial arts moves that give Lethal Weapon 4 a much-needed boost of energy. I wonder how long it will be before Jet Li and Jackie Chan come out with a movie together. Probably never, because if they worked together, no one could touch them, and if they were enemies, neither of them would be able to end up as the loser or the bad guy. Oh well, we can still hope, right? Even though the 4th installment in the Lethal Weapon series is not nearly as good as any of the previous three, it still remains a quality action film, despite its many weaknesses.
Lethal Weapon 4 - Great ending to a great series
bujinbudoka23 April 2006
This movie is the end of a series which spanned almost two decades.
This time around Riggs (Gibson) is facing three very personal problems. 1) Age is catching up to him, 2) his g/f is pregnant and he's facing being a daddy, and 3) he's facing the dilemma of wanting to remarry. Also, Murtaugh (Glover) is about to be a grand-daddy to a baby by his oldest daughter, and she is secretly married to Detective Butters (Chris Rock), which everyone is keeping a secret from him.
Add to this the fact that both they are now taking on one of the most powerful crime syndicates in the world, the Chinese Triads, in an effort to stop slave trading and money laundering. The task of a bad guy this time goes to Jet Li, who made his American debut (atleast from an American Film Company) in this movie. Yes, this is the movie which launched him here in the states, and he deserved it.
This movie is as good as the rest of them, though nothing beats part 2 in my opinion. Lethal Weapon 4 really hits home on a lot of subjects, such as facing responsibility, to coming to terms with who you are. And it ended the series in a way that makes you smile and love it even more.
I give it a 9 out of 10.
This time around Riggs (Gibson) is facing three very personal problems. 1) Age is catching up to him, 2) his g/f is pregnant and he's facing being a daddy, and 3) he's facing the dilemma of wanting to remarry. Also, Murtaugh (Glover) is about to be a grand-daddy to a baby by his oldest daughter, and she is secretly married to Detective Butters (Chris Rock), which everyone is keeping a secret from him.
Add to this the fact that both they are now taking on one of the most powerful crime syndicates in the world, the Chinese Triads, in an effort to stop slave trading and money laundering. The task of a bad guy this time goes to Jet Li, who made his American debut (atleast from an American Film Company) in this movie. Yes, this is the movie which launched him here in the states, and he deserved it.
This movie is as good as the rest of them, though nothing beats part 2 in my opinion. Lethal Weapon 4 really hits home on a lot of subjects, such as facing responsibility, to coming to terms with who you are. And it ended the series in a way that makes you smile and love it even more.
I give it a 9 out of 10.
Interesting series
moviewiz-418 October 2000
I seen this movie many times and after the DVD version, i decided to comment on it.
Speaking of action, the spice of this movie is the appearance of Jet Lie in one of his first western movie. His appearance is serious and challenging because he is looks serious this time, where normally he act as a more relaxing hero/character for Chinese's audience.
There words in this movie are rather strong but from the comical view and action part, it supposed have no problem at all for all viewer.
Thanks to the producer of bringing Jet's in, the movie is getting more interesting and worth to watch.
Speaking of action, the spice of this movie is the appearance of Jet Lie in one of his first western movie. His appearance is serious and challenging because he is looks serious this time, where normally he act as a more relaxing hero/character for Chinese's audience.
There words in this movie are rather strong but from the comical view and action part, it supposed have no problem at all for all viewer.
Thanks to the producer of bringing Jet's in, the movie is getting more interesting and worth to watch.
Flaws this profound are rare in a relentlessly mediocre film.
henken30 March 2000
This movie has some strong points. Jet Li is a phenomenal athlete and fairly menacing screen villain. Several of the action/fight scenes are well choreographed. Chris Rock has a couple of good scenes, especially the cell phone discussion with Joe Pesci. But the movie suffers from such deep flaws that one has not only the disappointment of a poor film, but of a director and actors who know that star power and their franchise will carry them along and who just don't care anymore.
Just some of the problems I noticed, in no particular order:
(1) One of the major events in the movie is the promotion of Riggs and Murtaugh to the rank of captain. There are two major problems with this plot point. First, though it hardly matters in this avalanche of the improbable, their promotion isn't just implausible, it's ridiculously improbable. They are supposed to have done so much damage that the city's insurance carrier will no longer insure the police. So they are promoted off the street. But since there are no open spots for Lieutenants, they are promoted one rank higher. Excuse me? They do so much damage that the city loses its insurance coverage and they can't even be taken off street duty? Are *all* cops "on the streets"? But that could be overlooked if it were not for the second problem: The promotion does, apparently, nothing. The only effect of their promotion that we see is that they are called "captain" and "sir." They keep their same desks, their same duties, their same partnership. (Do Captains even have partners?) So why, since it doesn't do anything, do we even have the promotion subplot in the movie?
(2) I know I'm going to sound like a prig for mentioning this, but I was really repelled by the level of casual brutality and harassment Riggs and Murtaugh show. They don't even have to wait for proof or even reasonable suspicion of wrongdoing, they simply destroy property, ruin a business, beat people up, shoot them, etc. These are clearly rogue cops, and it may be a sign of the formula of the movie failing that we notice it. It is not as though any action-movie heroes are textbook cops, but this movie is unforgivable in forcing you to notice it. Perhaps more disturbing is that Riggs and Murtaugh are joined in this adventure by Lee Butters (a younger cop played by Chris Rock) who is just as casual in his brutality as the older cops. He also casually cocks and brandishes his gun at Leo Getz (played by Joe Pesci), apparently just so you can tell that being a bad cop isn't restricted to the older, jaded officers.
(3) Big secrets are kept in ways that suggest that the characters haven't seen each other since the last film. Riggs and Murtaugh are the closest of partners, the earlier movies make it clear that they think of each other as family. But Murtaugh never mentions that Trish (his wife) is a successful writer? Maybe he is embarrassed about what she writes, but would he never have mentioned in the early days that she had written something that she was sending off to a publisher, that it had been published, *nothing*? But perhaps given the example he sets, he should not be surprised to find that his daughter has never revealed that she has been dating a man, has fallen in love, has married him, and is carrying his baby. She has also never mentioned his name or occupation. And this after making much in the last three films about Murtaugh as the devoted family man. That's a betrayal of the characters and it's revolting.
Now more briefly:
(4) Women escape hostage-takers but don't run to alert neighbors or call the police, but remain in area to be recaptured.
(5) Renee Russo's character (Lorna Cole) devolves from the third movie's smart cop to a broad farce of sappy, stupid, pregnant woman stereotype with some martial arts thrown in.
(6) They seem to have entirely forgotten here the first movie's point that Riggs is an outstanding martial artist. He doesn't get beaten up because he is getting old. He gets beaten up because the writers have, again, betrayed the character.
(7) The Chinese villains are supposed to be dastardly killers, using their cars to push their victims in their cars (conveniently stopped at railroad crossings) into the path of (conveniently) oncoming trains. But it is a quite silly form of execution, not because it relies on the unlikely coincidence mentioned, but because all it takes to thwart this method is to hit the gas. The path ahead is clear; when you're getting pushed just go with it and the train will pass behind you.
(8) Murtaugh's very quick to suppose, given basically no evidence, that Butters is gay and attracted to him. Nice sleuthing.
(9) Simplistic, smug, moralizing on guns and slavery. We're clearly supposed to feel uplifted by Murtaugh's opposition to slavery. Good for you, Rog. Are you against murder and cruelty, too? If Richard Donner is a filmmaker who botches a film this badly, why would I trust him for moral guidance?
Of course, there is the usual run-of-the-mill action film weirdness: windows are made of a supremely fragile material which looks like glass but which is effortlessly broken by the protagonist's fist, and cars on the LA freeway that do not swerve or slow down when following a man on a inverted table being dragged by a sheet of plastic from a prefab house. But these aren't really faults of the movie so much as a stupid turn the genre has taken. It is a rare action film these days that doesn't fall into these traps.
All in all, Lethal Weapon 4 is a movie worth watching only if you don't care about film or about yourself.
Just some of the problems I noticed, in no particular order:
(1) One of the major events in the movie is the promotion of Riggs and Murtaugh to the rank of captain. There are two major problems with this plot point. First, though it hardly matters in this avalanche of the improbable, their promotion isn't just implausible, it's ridiculously improbable. They are supposed to have done so much damage that the city's insurance carrier will no longer insure the police. So they are promoted off the street. But since there are no open spots for Lieutenants, they are promoted one rank higher. Excuse me? They do so much damage that the city loses its insurance coverage and they can't even be taken off street duty? Are *all* cops "on the streets"? But that could be overlooked if it were not for the second problem: The promotion does, apparently, nothing. The only effect of their promotion that we see is that they are called "captain" and "sir." They keep their same desks, their same duties, their same partnership. (Do Captains even have partners?) So why, since it doesn't do anything, do we even have the promotion subplot in the movie?
(2) I know I'm going to sound like a prig for mentioning this, but I was really repelled by the level of casual brutality and harassment Riggs and Murtaugh show. They don't even have to wait for proof or even reasonable suspicion of wrongdoing, they simply destroy property, ruin a business, beat people up, shoot them, etc. These are clearly rogue cops, and it may be a sign of the formula of the movie failing that we notice it. It is not as though any action-movie heroes are textbook cops, but this movie is unforgivable in forcing you to notice it. Perhaps more disturbing is that Riggs and Murtaugh are joined in this adventure by Lee Butters (a younger cop played by Chris Rock) who is just as casual in his brutality as the older cops. He also casually cocks and brandishes his gun at Leo Getz (played by Joe Pesci), apparently just so you can tell that being a bad cop isn't restricted to the older, jaded officers.
(3) Big secrets are kept in ways that suggest that the characters haven't seen each other since the last film. Riggs and Murtaugh are the closest of partners, the earlier movies make it clear that they think of each other as family. But Murtaugh never mentions that Trish (his wife) is a successful writer? Maybe he is embarrassed about what she writes, but would he never have mentioned in the early days that she had written something that she was sending off to a publisher, that it had been published, *nothing*? But perhaps given the example he sets, he should not be surprised to find that his daughter has never revealed that she has been dating a man, has fallen in love, has married him, and is carrying his baby. She has also never mentioned his name or occupation. And this after making much in the last three films about Murtaugh as the devoted family man. That's a betrayal of the characters and it's revolting.
Now more briefly:
(4) Women escape hostage-takers but don't run to alert neighbors or call the police, but remain in area to be recaptured.
(5) Renee Russo's character (Lorna Cole) devolves from the third movie's smart cop to a broad farce of sappy, stupid, pregnant woman stereotype with some martial arts thrown in.
(6) They seem to have entirely forgotten here the first movie's point that Riggs is an outstanding martial artist. He doesn't get beaten up because he is getting old. He gets beaten up because the writers have, again, betrayed the character.
(7) The Chinese villains are supposed to be dastardly killers, using their cars to push their victims in their cars (conveniently stopped at railroad crossings) into the path of (conveniently) oncoming trains. But it is a quite silly form of execution, not because it relies on the unlikely coincidence mentioned, but because all it takes to thwart this method is to hit the gas. The path ahead is clear; when you're getting pushed just go with it and the train will pass behind you.
(8) Murtaugh's very quick to suppose, given basically no evidence, that Butters is gay and attracted to him. Nice sleuthing.
(9) Simplistic, smug, moralizing on guns and slavery. We're clearly supposed to feel uplifted by Murtaugh's opposition to slavery. Good for you, Rog. Are you against murder and cruelty, too? If Richard Donner is a filmmaker who botches a film this badly, why would I trust him for moral guidance?
Of course, there is the usual run-of-the-mill action film weirdness: windows are made of a supremely fragile material which looks like glass but which is effortlessly broken by the protagonist's fist, and cars on the LA freeway that do not swerve or slow down when following a man on a inverted table being dragged by a sheet of plastic from a prefab house. But these aren't really faults of the movie so much as a stupid turn the genre has taken. It is a rare action film these days that doesn't fall into these traps.
All in all, Lethal Weapon 4 is a movie worth watching only if you don't care about film or about yourself.
Incredible 4th installment
masonsaul28 July 2019
Lethal Weapon 4 is an incredible 4th installment and imporves over it's predecessor. Mel Gibson and Danny Glover are incredible once again with perfect chemistry. The humour is extremely funny and Chris Rock is definitely a welcome addition. Jet Li is a great villain. Richard Donner's direction is great as usual, resulting in some of the biggest and most enjoyable action sequences in the franchise yet. As with the previous installments, the music by Michael Kamen, Eric Clapton and David Sandborn is really good. It even has a surprisingly strong emotional ending. However, it does follow the formula of previous installments, giving it some predictable moments.
Meh!
hambut-13 March 2023
A Sunday afternoon watch whilst you doze and check your phone. Jet Li gives a strong performance with a good cast. But poorly written. Obvious writing. An officer dating his daughter secretly. The boring aggressive girlfriend cos Riggs can only have his immediate opposite before he finds love. Nothing innovative with Joe Pesci being the only real comic value in what is supposed to be a action film with some humour. The only thing they could've added to make it even more Meh, would've been to cast Channing Tatum and James Corden as partners competing with Riggs and Murtaugh. The most 4th in a series of films that a film could be.
Mel Gibson,Danny GloverJoe Pesci,Rene Russo,Chris Rock, and Jet Li
disdressed1224 February 2008
out of all four movies in the series,this is probably the loudest and most chaotic,but that doesn't mean it was a bad movie.i think the storyline was a bit thin and not really all that original,but just like in part three,the action,and the chemistry of the stars makes up for that.and this movie also has more laughs than the previous installments,many courtesy of both Joe Pesci and Chris Rock.Rene Russo is back,along with Mel and Danny.Jet Li joins the proceedings in this one,and brings some spectacular fight scenes courtesy of his martial arts skill.i don't know if this is the best of the series,but i thought it was as good as number three,which i really liked.for me,Lethal Weapon 4 is a 7/10
Still strong
nicholls905-280-54691115 December 2019
The series has obviously struggled with the last 2 films, but as a long running franchise, it continues to deliver. The characters are the key here and save a one dimensional storyline. Glover and Gibson are having fun, and further additions continue to balloon the series. The villains don't have that same interesting storyline like the first 3 films and it stops this film from becoming anything like the best films of the series. Rumours of a 5th film has been in the wind recently, and a passing of the baton wouldn't be a bad thing.
Worthy successor
Calicodreamin11 April 2020
Lethal weapon 4 is a worthy successor in the franchise, bringing the whole cast together and delivering on action and humor. The action scenes were outrageous and the acting well done. The fourth movie does a good job building on the jokes/themes present in the first three films. The storyline is a bit all over the place and there's a lot of pieces that could have been done with out. Overall a pretty good action movie.
A Solid Sequel
gaccrev17 January 2005
OK... so the language is gratuitous. Just having Chris Rock on set put it over the top. But his acting aside, I thought this was a worthy addition to one of the best cop/buddy series around. It was enjoyable to see the characters we love deal with the inevitabilities of aging and the fierce loyalty of friendship. Some of the mystery is gone and it feels like a pair of comfortable shoes. But aren't those shoes your favorite ones? It was interesting to see the development of Lorna and Riggs' relationship, as well as the growing up of the Murtaugh kids. It makes you feel like you're catching up with old friends at a reunion! Plenty of action and the incredible work of Jet Li make this movie a favorite at my house. Overall, a great wrap-up to the series and a lot of fun for long time fans. Worth seeing! If the language is a real issue, watch for it on TNT and enjoy the edited version.
The gang's all here...again.
BroadswordCallinDannyBoy2 March 2004
A fourth addition to this franchise seems weird. Trilogies seem the farthest as you can go and be safe, but here we are, at Lethal weapon 4 and it's GOOD! Surprising still good. A new character, Butters, is thrown in along with the rest of the crew. Hilarity and action result. Plus Jet Li makes for an awesome bad guy who packs some serious punch (and kick!) to the whole mix. There are funny one liners like in the previous films: Riggs "You boinkin' her?" Murtaugh: "NO! of course n- yeah I'm boinkin' her!" LOL. There is a car chase which is flat out awesome with Riggs being dragged behind a truck, then our heroes drive THROUGH a building after JUMPING into it off of a highway ramp! Pretty ridiculous if you think about it (or try it!), but the resulting entertainment is worth it. However if you were growing tired by the end of the third one you should pass on this. 7/10
I'm getting too old for this s**t
frznnrth22 September 1999
Is it my imagination, or is the once cool Lethal Weapon series on a death spiral? The movies now have a cast of thousands (Glover, Gibson, Pesci, Rene Russo, Chris Rock, everyone's latest baby, a bunch of bad guys, etc.) and they seem like nothing more than a feeble attempt to get them all some screen time. There's no coherent dialogue, no plot, and no point. Watching Jet Li play the latest supervillain was the only reason to be mildly entertained.
One Of the Rare Franchises That Never Gets Too Overbearing and Dull...
MovieAddict20164 December 2002
Lethal Weapon 4 starts out with a boring and ridiculous beginning. I remember watching it the first time and thinking, "oh no, another bad sequel."
However, once past the first ten minutes, the film starts to pick up its pace and retreat into familiar Lethal Weapon style.
Just like film 2 and 3, Lethal Weapon 4 isn't as good as the original, but it never gets to the point of unbearable. It is quite entertaining and fun to watch, with some very great actors, that have some very great chemistry between each other.
Mel Gibson and Danny Glover fit like a glove, and Joe Pesci is perfect as the comedy relief, not being like the recent "side kicks" we always see, that are so obnoxious we want to punch them. Mr. Pesci is a very talented actor, and he always makes me laugh, whether it's Lethal Weapon 4 or Raging Bull and Casino.
Rene Russo provides Mel's love interest yet again, and though I found the marriage thing a bit of a throw-in, it was still good for the story. It provided some laughs at the end of the film.
Chris Rock stars in one role where his character is not completely annoying or loudmouthed, mainly because he wasn't extremely famous yet, and had only been on SNL and a few small roles in film... Joes Pesci and him throw back and forth a few insults and jokes, and bounce off each other, which helps me welcom Rock a bit more.
Jet Li's first American film, I believe, proves he can be a quite and intriguing character, which later helped him get roles in films like Kiss of the Dragon and The One.
Another thing about this franchise is that director Richard Donner directed all four films, and it's always good to use the original director for a sequel, rather than a lesser director, as we have countless examples of. (especially horror films!)
From the opening jazz music we have come to love, Lethal Weapon provides enough entertainment and fun to keep one entertained, and it's definitely worth watching. I hope they stop while they're ahead, and do not make another Lethal Weapon film, because it's rare for a film series to still be entertaining and imaginative after these many sequels. 3/5 stars-
However, once past the first ten minutes, the film starts to pick up its pace and retreat into familiar Lethal Weapon style.
Just like film 2 and 3, Lethal Weapon 4 isn't as good as the original, but it never gets to the point of unbearable. It is quite entertaining and fun to watch, with some very great actors, that have some very great chemistry between each other.
Mel Gibson and Danny Glover fit like a glove, and Joe Pesci is perfect as the comedy relief, not being like the recent "side kicks" we always see, that are so obnoxious we want to punch them. Mr. Pesci is a very talented actor, and he always makes me laugh, whether it's Lethal Weapon 4 or Raging Bull and Casino.
Rene Russo provides Mel's love interest yet again, and though I found the marriage thing a bit of a throw-in, it was still good for the story. It provided some laughs at the end of the film.
Chris Rock stars in one role where his character is not completely annoying or loudmouthed, mainly because he wasn't extremely famous yet, and had only been on SNL and a few small roles in film... Joes Pesci and him throw back and forth a few insults and jokes, and bounce off each other, which helps me welcom Rock a bit more.
Jet Li's first American film, I believe, proves he can be a quite and intriguing character, which later helped him get roles in films like Kiss of the Dragon and The One.
Another thing about this franchise is that director Richard Donner directed all four films, and it's always good to use the original director for a sequel, rather than a lesser director, as we have countless examples of. (especially horror films!)
From the opening jazz music we have come to love, Lethal Weapon provides enough entertainment and fun to keep one entertained, and it's definitely worth watching. I hope they stop while they're ahead, and do not make another Lethal Weapon film, because it's rare for a film series to still be entertaining and imaginative after these many sequels. 3/5 stars-
Action & Laughs - what more do you want?
lastliberal2 March 2007
OK, it may have been stretching it to go for a fourth Lethal Weapon film. I mean, do you remember Rocky 4 or Death Wish 4? But, this film was a departure from the rest and, as such, deserves some credit for what it tried to do. You can't argue with a film that includes Mary Ellen Trainor, Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Joe Pesci, Rene Russo, Chris Rock and Jet Li. There is going to be action, there is going to be comedy, and there is going to be some schmaltzy romance.
The addition of Rock, along with Trainor and Pesci was a hoot. The laughs never stopped throughout the movie. I am a HUGE Chris Rock fan and he did not disappoint.
The action in the film was hot and heavy. The only thing that was bogus was Gibson defeating Jet Li. Come on, nobody defeats Jet Li. He is indestructible and I refuse to believe that Gibson can beat him. But, I have to admit that this was the best fight sequence I have seen.
This is not prime rib, it is chocolate cake. Chocolate cake is good, especially with ice cream. So sit back, and enjoy your dessert. It doesn't much more flavorful than this.
The addition of Rock, along with Trainor and Pesci was a hoot. The laughs never stopped throughout the movie. I am a HUGE Chris Rock fan and he did not disappoint.
The action in the film was hot and heavy. The only thing that was bogus was Gibson defeating Jet Li. Come on, nobody defeats Jet Li. He is indestructible and I refuse to believe that Gibson can beat him. But, I have to admit that this was the best fight sequence I have seen.
This is not prime rib, it is chocolate cake. Chocolate cake is good, especially with ice cream. So sit back, and enjoy your dessert. It doesn't much more flavorful than this.
One Encore Too Many / A Pale Shadow of Past Glories
Dr. Mike6 September 1999
I really loved Lethal Weapon. Mel Gibson deserved high honors for his portrayal of a tortured, suicidal, Vietnam veteran in the first film. More than a decade later, these fine actors are being trotted out strictly for laughs, and everything I found engaging about these movies is gone. Bad plot, major holes in the story, heavy handed, politically correct dialog (yeah, right, cops hang anti-NRA posters in the squad room, and these guys love gun control international. Yeah, these characters are anti-handgun! Gag me.) It is just SAD. Hang it up, guys, you are too old for this stuff, and you surely need a different director. I could shoot holes in the plot, but it would be a waste of time--it is a blooper gold mine. I wish big Hollywood Cop movies would have at least one real cop on the set to point out how things are really done, so we wouldn't see such embarrassing retelling movie stereoptypes.
Jet Li kicks butt!
tripwires10 November 2001
I don't like Mel Gibson, I've never heard of Danny Glover until this film, I've never heard of the Lethal Weapon series until this film, and I saw this film only because Jet Li is in it. I ended up liking more than Jet Li's performance. This movie is funny without going overboard to slapstick, and although Jet Li's screen time is way too short, I like it anyhow. Mel Gibson didn't annoy me for once, and him and Danny Glover are just so fun to watch. They have a certain chemistry that is definitely needed for the characters they play (who are best friends, am I not right?).
Jet Li's character was more flat compared to Gibson's and Glover's, but who cares? I enjoyed watching him play the bad guy, and how fantastic he was! He may not be a very versatile actor, but his martial arts and his basic grasp of the craft is just enough for a fairly one-dimensional character.
All in all, "Lethal Weapon 4" is great entertainment with a great Jet Li. Do watch it.
Jet Li's character was more flat compared to Gibson's and Glover's, but who cares? I enjoyed watching him play the bad guy, and how fantastic he was! He may not be a very versatile actor, but his martial arts and his basic grasp of the craft is just enough for a fairly one-dimensional character.
All in all, "Lethal Weapon 4" is great entertainment with a great Jet Li. Do watch it.
A good fourth installment in the Lethal Weapon franchise!
ivo-cobra825 December 2015
Disclaimer: If you are a viewer that mainly prefers art-house-type movies, then you might as well ignore this review. In addition, if you're not able to take a buddy cop action movie the fourth installment in the "Lethal Weapon" series, ignore this review, as well. We'll both be better off.
Lethal Weapon 4 (1998) is the fourth installment in the Lethal Weapon series. It is the last installment in the franchise and it is a good one. It is the last movie in the series and it ended perfectly. I am glad there wasn't a fifth movie. I heard they are planning to reboot the original movie. The same is with Die Hard and those reboots are stupid! This is one of the funniest movies I have ever seen, this is entertaining funny action film I've ever seen. Best part: I wish I had a siren right about now Rog: Really hilarious!! I could watch it over and over again! It is my at least favorite movie in the series but it is still a lot of fun.
The gangs are all back: Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Joe Pesci and Rene Russo, there are some new additions in the cast Chris Rock and Jet Li./: Jet Li is such a bad ass and in this movie you have Chinese Triads, I was disappointed with Mel Gibson and Danny Glover in this, I seriously think those two guys become a soft pussy's in this film. I think wife's and baby coming on their way making them a really wuss, don't get me wrong, Riggs and Murtaugh were both a bad ass in the whole trilogy. In this film they are fighting like a pussy's. But still I like this movie a lot, I still like Rene Russo I am happy that Riggs and Lorna get's married at the end of the movie and I also love that both Rianne Murtaugh and Lorna gives a birth to their baby's.
The action sequences were not that great but Jet Li was a damn bad ass and that was his first American movie. It was one of the first roles I saw him as a villain, I was used more to see Jet Li been the good guy. I think it was hard to convince him to play the bad guy. Even for a villain he did a good job playing his character. This was the last movie in the Lethal Weapon series and I am glad the movie showed the different site of the characters. Especially the movie explained and made a perfect ending with what happened with all our favorite characters. The rest of the crew did a solid job and I like it a lot.
I have all Lethal Weapon movies on Blu-ray and I also have 2 & 3 on DVD the director's cut. I couldn't got Lethal Weapon the directors Cut on DVD but I got Theatrical cut on Blu-ray. I also have the trilogy on VHS tape they are all Director's Cut. Seeing Director's Cut on DVD and VHS tape for 2 Hrs. 07 Mins the same running time is this film Lethal Weapon 4, I was really disappointed. I thought the movie was set too long than the theatrical cut I grew up with it. The theatrical cut was always my favorite of the first one. I am glad I own the original first movie on Blu-ray with theatrical cut. I am big fan of Lethal Weapon movies and I love all of them. The same is with Rambo franchise I love all four of them. Lethal Weapon 4 get's the same score by me as Lethal Weapon 2 did a 9. I am glad I know what happened with all the characters that I care for and the scenes in the hospital were beautiful, I love Leo Getz (Joe Pesci) in this movie as private detective. Who helped Martin Riggs when his wife is getting a baby.
Lethal Weapon 4 was a by the numbers rehash of the franchise's formula, but the Martin Riggs character had lost his edge from the previous movies. A big disappointment. Tough I have enjoyed this movie considering its a 4th in the series, I thought Chris rock was funny especially his scenes with Joe Pesci = "NO means NO..!", I'd agree in that I'd be hard pressed to choose between number 1 and number 3. Also like the idea of Chris Rock having his own movie. Perhaps in the same character he could take on a young partner and they become the next generation albeit different\their own characters within the "Lethal weapon universe".
Lethal Weapon 4 is the fourth installment in the Lethal Weapon film franchise. The 1998 sequel follows Riggs (Mel Gibson) and Murtaugh (Danny Glover) as they uncover a smuggling ring involving Chinese immigrants. Rene Russo and Joe Pesci also return and the cast includes newcomer to the series Chris Rock and Jet Li, who made his American film debut.
9/10 Grade: A- Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures, Silver Pictures Starring: Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Joe Pesci, Rene Russo, Chris Rock, Jet Li Director: Richard Donner Producers: Richard Donner, Joel Silver Screenplay: Channing Gibson Story: Jonathan Lemkin, Alfred Gough, Miles Millar Rated: R Running Time: 2 Hrs. 7 Mins. Budget: $100.000.000 Box Office: $285,444,603
Lethal Weapon 4 (1998) is the fourth installment in the Lethal Weapon series. It is the last installment in the franchise and it is a good one. It is the last movie in the series and it ended perfectly. I am glad there wasn't a fifth movie. I heard they are planning to reboot the original movie. The same is with Die Hard and those reboots are stupid! This is one of the funniest movies I have ever seen, this is entertaining funny action film I've ever seen. Best part: I wish I had a siren right about now Rog: Really hilarious!! I could watch it over and over again! It is my at least favorite movie in the series but it is still a lot of fun.
The gangs are all back: Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Joe Pesci and Rene Russo, there are some new additions in the cast Chris Rock and Jet Li./: Jet Li is such a bad ass and in this movie you have Chinese Triads, I was disappointed with Mel Gibson and Danny Glover in this, I seriously think those two guys become a soft pussy's in this film. I think wife's and baby coming on their way making them a really wuss, don't get me wrong, Riggs and Murtaugh were both a bad ass in the whole trilogy. In this film they are fighting like a pussy's. But still I like this movie a lot, I still like Rene Russo I am happy that Riggs and Lorna get's married at the end of the movie and I also love that both Rianne Murtaugh and Lorna gives a birth to their baby's.
The action sequences were not that great but Jet Li was a damn bad ass and that was his first American movie. It was one of the first roles I saw him as a villain, I was used more to see Jet Li been the good guy. I think it was hard to convince him to play the bad guy. Even for a villain he did a good job playing his character. This was the last movie in the Lethal Weapon series and I am glad the movie showed the different site of the characters. Especially the movie explained and made a perfect ending with what happened with all our favorite characters. The rest of the crew did a solid job and I like it a lot.
I have all Lethal Weapon movies on Blu-ray and I also have 2 & 3 on DVD the director's cut. I couldn't got Lethal Weapon the directors Cut on DVD but I got Theatrical cut on Blu-ray. I also have the trilogy on VHS tape they are all Director's Cut. Seeing Director's Cut on DVD and VHS tape for 2 Hrs. 07 Mins the same running time is this film Lethal Weapon 4, I was really disappointed. I thought the movie was set too long than the theatrical cut I grew up with it. The theatrical cut was always my favorite of the first one. I am glad I own the original first movie on Blu-ray with theatrical cut. I am big fan of Lethal Weapon movies and I love all of them. The same is with Rambo franchise I love all four of them. Lethal Weapon 4 get's the same score by me as Lethal Weapon 2 did a 9. I am glad I know what happened with all the characters that I care for and the scenes in the hospital were beautiful, I love Leo Getz (Joe Pesci) in this movie as private detective. Who helped Martin Riggs when his wife is getting a baby.
Lethal Weapon 4 was a by the numbers rehash of the franchise's formula, but the Martin Riggs character had lost his edge from the previous movies. A big disappointment. Tough I have enjoyed this movie considering its a 4th in the series, I thought Chris rock was funny especially his scenes with Joe Pesci = "NO means NO..!", I'd agree in that I'd be hard pressed to choose between number 1 and number 3. Also like the idea of Chris Rock having his own movie. Perhaps in the same character he could take on a young partner and they become the next generation albeit different\their own characters within the "Lethal weapon universe".
Lethal Weapon 4 is the fourth installment in the Lethal Weapon film franchise. The 1998 sequel follows Riggs (Mel Gibson) and Murtaugh (Danny Glover) as they uncover a smuggling ring involving Chinese immigrants. Rene Russo and Joe Pesci also return and the cast includes newcomer to the series Chris Rock and Jet Li, who made his American film debut.
9/10 Grade: A- Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures, Silver Pictures Starring: Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Joe Pesci, Rene Russo, Chris Rock, Jet Li Director: Richard Donner Producers: Richard Donner, Joel Silver Screenplay: Channing Gibson Story: Jonathan Lemkin, Alfred Gough, Miles Millar Rated: R Running Time: 2 Hrs. 7 Mins. Budget: $100.000.000 Box Office: $285,444,603
Better then Lethal Weapon 3 but not as good as Lethal Weapon and Lethal Weapon 2
freemantle_uk10 September 2010
After a six year hiatus the Lethal Weapon returned with a fourth film, the last of the series: though there are rumours of a fifth film. With a budget of $100 Million Lethal Weapon 4 was considered the weakest in box-office return and critical reaction: but in my opinion I consider it better then Lethal Weapon 3.
With both Sergeants Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson) and Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover) are getting older and whilst still causing damage in Los Angles there can do less physical fests. Both men's families are expanding, Rigg's partner Lorna (Rene Russo) and Muztagh's daughter Rianne (Traci Wolfe) are pregnant and both are them are promoted to captain. At the same time they investigate people smuggling by the Triads led by Benny Chan (Kim Chan) and Triad enforcer Wah Sing Ku (Jet Li). With the aid of young police sergeant Lee Butters (Chris Rock) and private investigator Leo Getz (Joe Pesci) the two set out to bring down the Triads who are putting people into slavery.
Like the first three films there is strong chemistry between Gibson and Glover, with good comic timing, particularly in the beginning when a nutcase in homemade armour, a flamethrower and a machine gun is causing a lot of damage. But the two are getting older and it was clear that a stunt double was being used more often and there were jokes about their ages. It was also good that Gibson cut the Three Stooges stick and his character was more serious and down to Earth With the rest of the cast there Chris Rock was decent, offering his motormouth style of comedy and he is a much better then many American comedians like Chris Tucker, Martin Lawrence and Dane Cook. He is better stand up but he is a decent actor and he is also good as playing a straight, serious character as well. Jet Li was excellent as the villain, both as a material artist and as a sinister threat, the real mastermind of the plot. Pesci's character also improves from the annoying being he was in Lethal Weapon 3, but his character still doesn't add anything to the film.
Richard Donner keeps the stunt work of the first three films and there are some excellent sequences, especially involving Jet Li's fighting ability. There are good gun battles and a excellent car chase on the freeway which was done with traditional action techniques. The scene involving the nutcase was also fun. But some of the action became more over the top, with bad guys missing with great skill with AK-47s whilst the good guys can shoot really well in the dark and at distance with pistols. Other examples are when Riggs uses the laser sight of his gun to bounce a bullet into the back of a Chinese guard, considering that's not however a laser sight works and Riggs and Murtaugh drive through a building without killing anyone and then jumping back onto the freeway. Another examples are when Riggs shots the back of a nutcase in his flamethrowers fuel supply and he ends up flying into a fuel tanker and a oil drum flying into the air into Murtaugh's boat. But Donner is a good action director and when it's done right it was great to watch.
There is a good use of a Chinese score in the film, adding to the atmosphere. Donner does have good pace in the film and the script does have some fine ideas, like counterfeiting Chinese currency and human trafficking. But some elements are just fillers like the car chase when in the end the officers question Uncle Benny for information. Like the first film the henchman takes over the organisation. Also the ending is cringe worthy with Lorna giving birth, with an unfunny scene where Lorna and Riggs getting married by a Rabbi (it more funny that we all know Gibson is a raving anti-Semite) and a sentimental ending about family which only Americans can do in a vomit inducing way.
The film is worth watching simply because of Jet Li.
With both Sergeants Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson) and Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover) are getting older and whilst still causing damage in Los Angles there can do less physical fests. Both men's families are expanding, Rigg's partner Lorna (Rene Russo) and Muztagh's daughter Rianne (Traci Wolfe) are pregnant and both are them are promoted to captain. At the same time they investigate people smuggling by the Triads led by Benny Chan (Kim Chan) and Triad enforcer Wah Sing Ku (Jet Li). With the aid of young police sergeant Lee Butters (Chris Rock) and private investigator Leo Getz (Joe Pesci) the two set out to bring down the Triads who are putting people into slavery.
Like the first three films there is strong chemistry between Gibson and Glover, with good comic timing, particularly in the beginning when a nutcase in homemade armour, a flamethrower and a machine gun is causing a lot of damage. But the two are getting older and it was clear that a stunt double was being used more often and there were jokes about their ages. It was also good that Gibson cut the Three Stooges stick and his character was more serious and down to Earth With the rest of the cast there Chris Rock was decent, offering his motormouth style of comedy and he is a much better then many American comedians like Chris Tucker, Martin Lawrence and Dane Cook. He is better stand up but he is a decent actor and he is also good as playing a straight, serious character as well. Jet Li was excellent as the villain, both as a material artist and as a sinister threat, the real mastermind of the plot. Pesci's character also improves from the annoying being he was in Lethal Weapon 3, but his character still doesn't add anything to the film.
Richard Donner keeps the stunt work of the first three films and there are some excellent sequences, especially involving Jet Li's fighting ability. There are good gun battles and a excellent car chase on the freeway which was done with traditional action techniques. The scene involving the nutcase was also fun. But some of the action became more over the top, with bad guys missing with great skill with AK-47s whilst the good guys can shoot really well in the dark and at distance with pistols. Other examples are when Riggs uses the laser sight of his gun to bounce a bullet into the back of a Chinese guard, considering that's not however a laser sight works and Riggs and Murtaugh drive through a building without killing anyone and then jumping back onto the freeway. Another examples are when Riggs shots the back of a nutcase in his flamethrowers fuel supply and he ends up flying into a fuel tanker and a oil drum flying into the air into Murtaugh's boat. But Donner is a good action director and when it's done right it was great to watch.
There is a good use of a Chinese score in the film, adding to the atmosphere. Donner does have good pace in the film and the script does have some fine ideas, like counterfeiting Chinese currency and human trafficking. But some elements are just fillers like the car chase when in the end the officers question Uncle Benny for information. Like the first film the henchman takes over the organisation. Also the ending is cringe worthy with Lorna giving birth, with an unfunny scene where Lorna and Riggs getting married by a Rabbi (it more funny that we all know Gibson is a raving anti-Semite) and a sentimental ending about family which only Americans can do in a vomit inducing way.
The film is worth watching simply because of Jet Li.
The series ends on a solid note.
Pjtaylor-96-13804419 April 2020
'Lethal Weapon 4 (1998)' is the weakest in its series, but it still cements the franchise as one of the best in cinematic history. The most drastic difference here is actually Gibson's hair, which has transformed from a luscious mane into a simple short back and sides, which is a testament to the continued enthusiasm and skill of everyone involved. The two leads are as great as ever, their dynamic remaining compelling and enjoyable right the way through. They really feel like long-time friends and, for the stars, it seems utterly effortless to pull off. Riggs isn't as much of a loose cannon as before but that's actually a part of his overall arc. One of the worse changes in character is the fact that Russo's Lorna is, essentially, reduced to 'the wife', only serving to add stakes to the plot and get a knife held to her pregnant belly - though, she does get a couple of good kicks at her captor. Leo is back in a bigger role than last time. Thankfully, though he is annoying (as designed), he gets a heartfelt scene that really rounds out his character. Chris Rock does a decent job as an eager young detective, even if his more improvisational style doesn't always mesh with the otherwise more 'written' stuff, and Jet Li serves the film well as its often-silent antagonist, bringing his martial arts expertise to the often brutal action. That action is as good as ever. The set-pieces are inventive and exciting, a good mix of fisticuffs, shoot-outs and car chases that are all sure to get your blood pumping. It's unusual for a director to remain on board for an entire series, but it's difficult to imagine 'Lethal Weapon' without Richard Donner. Aside from a couple of dodgy edits, he delivers yet another enjoyable action-comedy. The movie does have some flaws, including a fairly lacklustre plot and quite a lot of unfortunate Asian stereotyping, but (for now) it satisfyingly closes the book on its brilliant franchise. 7/10
They never get too old for this ****!
Boba_Fett11385 June 2005
This is about as entertaining as a movie can get!
You can tell by watching this movie that cast and crew worked together as one big family. A lot of cast and crew members of the first three Lethal Weapon movies returned in this movie. That is the biggest power of the movie.
The story itself actually is quite weak, messy and not always easy to follow. This is due that the story was still being written during production and all the scene's had to be shot in chronically order in order to finish the movie in time. But this seriously is one of those movies were the story is of no importance at all. The true power of the movie is in the characters and their relations. There are some incredible fun sidetracks in the story and some amusing dialog.
Additions to the cast for this movie are Chris Rock as an highly enjoyable police officer and new partner for future Lethal Weapon movies (?) and Jet Li in his first American movie, as the new main villain. Both were really good and enjoyable in their role. I dislike both actors right now actually but at the time of "Lethal Weapon 4" they were still two unknown actors therefor there is no reason to dislike them in this movie for me. Another fun role is played by Kim Chan, who's character involves at least one hilarious scene.
Mel Gibson and Danny Glover are still amazingly good and fun together, after already three Lethal Weapon movies and are truly a golden screen duo. Other welcome returning actors are Rene Russo and Joe Pesci. It's funny, I normally don't like Rene Russo in movies but this is one of the few I can stand her in. Joe Pesci is fun as ever as hyperactive Leo Getz.
The movie also features some top-class action sequences and fights, making this movie not just one of the most entertaining but also best action movie's of the last couple of years. The movie's opening is just great! Maybe even better than the well known opening for "Lethal Weapon 3".
Seriously one of the most entertaining movies of the last couple of years.
9/10
http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/
You can tell by watching this movie that cast and crew worked together as one big family. A lot of cast and crew members of the first three Lethal Weapon movies returned in this movie. That is the biggest power of the movie.
The story itself actually is quite weak, messy and not always easy to follow. This is due that the story was still being written during production and all the scene's had to be shot in chronically order in order to finish the movie in time. But this seriously is one of those movies were the story is of no importance at all. The true power of the movie is in the characters and their relations. There are some incredible fun sidetracks in the story and some amusing dialog.
Additions to the cast for this movie are Chris Rock as an highly enjoyable police officer and new partner for future Lethal Weapon movies (?) and Jet Li in his first American movie, as the new main villain. Both were really good and enjoyable in their role. I dislike both actors right now actually but at the time of "Lethal Weapon 4" they were still two unknown actors therefor there is no reason to dislike them in this movie for me. Another fun role is played by Kim Chan, who's character involves at least one hilarious scene.
Mel Gibson and Danny Glover are still amazingly good and fun together, after already three Lethal Weapon movies and are truly a golden screen duo. Other welcome returning actors are Rene Russo and Joe Pesci. It's funny, I normally don't like Rene Russo in movies but this is one of the few I can stand her in. Joe Pesci is fun as ever as hyperactive Leo Getz.
The movie also features some top-class action sequences and fights, making this movie not just one of the most entertaining but also best action movie's of the last couple of years. The movie's opening is just great! Maybe even better than the well known opening for "Lethal Weapon 3".
Seriously one of the most entertaining movies of the last couple of years.
9/10
http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/
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