Lethal Weapon 4K UHD (1987) May 20

[Jorvic]

Originally Posted by IndyMLVC

Watched this last night and it's probably the least I've enjoyed it since I first saw it. Tonally, it's just so different from the other 3. I dunno, it's always been my least favorite but it gets harder to watch the older I get.

That final fight is just downright idiotic.

Love the final fight – it's entertaining, fairly unique and just feels so right for Riggs' character.

Originally Posted by Ben_UK

For me, the first is a stone coke classic, then they get progressively worse.

The first film is an action film with a bit of comedy, by the fourth film it’s a comedy with a bit of action.

Well it is that, for sure.

[Geoff D]

Yep, love that fight. It IS absurd, no way would the cops just let Riggs fight some guy they've already got in custardy, but somehow it just works.

[growly]

I don’t think I’ve watched them in 15 years. It was when I was considering upgrading the DVD to blu ray and thought, no, then sold the DVDs instead. Some movies don’t need physical discs and this is, for me, one of them.

[Jegærn]

Originally Posted by Fat Phil

People give 3 a hard time for being generally softer/more comedic, but I think it’s massively underrated. Stuart Wilson is a terrific villain, the Sting credit sequence is the greatest thing ever, Michael Kamen’s scoring has never been more on point and everyone’s just so at ease in their roles that the whole affair is basically a delight.

Agree.

When I first saw these movies as a teenager, I didn't like the third one as much as the first two. Now it's probably my favourite. But all of them are super great in my opinion. Perfect blend of action, drama and comedy.

[Markgway]

Jet Li and that final fight were by far the best things about LW4.

The major problems were in the writing (which was lazy and poor) and, surprisingly, the cast themselves who went from playing actual characters to phoney caricatures who border on parody.

[IndyMLVC]

Originally Posted by Jorvic

Love the final fight – it's entertaining, fairly unique and just feels so right for Riggs' character.

It just doesn't feel (and has never felt) like it was based in reality at all. A bunch of cops just watching them fight? It's just over the top 80's ridiculous machismo BS.

[The hitcher]

That's why it's cool..?

[CinemaScope]

I bought the Blu-ray box set when it was first released, £25, it did go as low as £10 at one time, I see it's gone back up to £25. The first release was in a thin case, much better than the latter thicker cases. It's my favourite & most watched box set.

[JoelGoodsen]

Originally Posted by The hitcher

That's why it's cool..?

Exactly. 80s were peak testosterone and that includes cops knowing to let 2 guys duke it out.

I’m all here for it.

[The hitcher]

Originally Posted by JoelGoodsen

Exactly. 80s were peak testosterone and that includes cops knowing to let 2 guys duke it out.

I’m all here for it.

I basically rolled my eyes all the way through Cobra after revisiting it years ago. The showdown at the end of Lethal Weapon is just good theater!

[dallywhitty]

Originally Posted by IndyMLVC

It just doesn't feel (and has never felt) like it was based in reality at all. A bunch of cops just watching them fight? It's just over the top 80's ridiculous machismo BS.

Right!? I felt the same when I watched Raiders of the Lost Ark for the first time. Just so silly. That wouldn't happen.

[jess1581]

Originally Posted by Markgway

Jet Li and that final fight were by far the best things about LW4.

The major problems were in the writing (which was lazy and poor) and, surprisingly, the cast themselves who went from playing actual characters to phoney caricatures who border on parody.

As much as I enjoy LW4, I do agree it's the least of the pack. The writing was, to be more specific, too comedic where scenes came off more like sketches that stops the narrative rather than flow with it. The action set pieces are great, the more personal interactions were good, but the comedy was the Achilles heel this time around. Funny yes, but too much. The other LW films weaved humor into the narrative flow, not make pit stops to put on a funny show.

[Geoff D]

I still say "Enter the drag queen" from LW4 too

[Croweyes1121]

LW2 has always been my favorite of the 4 by far. Absolutely perfect combination of seriousness, classic action, and comedy. The first is a bit too serious, the third a bit too silly, and the fourth WAY too silly. The second got the mix just right IMO.

[crissrudd4554]

The fourth would rank as my least favorite if I had to pick one but I still enjoy it. It has some nice moments and character progression, particularly Riggs. Adjusting to the idea of parenthood, contemplating a second marriage, accepting that he’s getting older. Still some good action. The chase fight on the tractor trailer is one of my favorites in the series. The comedies on point. Love the dentist office scene, the constant teasing of Roger about the article of him in his undies, and the “privates” joke. I would say it’s the plot with the bad guys that sorta loses me. Counterfeiting and slavery is basically all I understood of it. Leo’s analogy of his pet frog to his friendship with Riggs and Murtaugh is touching and well setup. At first you think “what the hell does that have to with Riggs’ situation??” but it quickly changes and becomes so poignant. Yes it’s the flawed one of the bunch but part 4 still delivers some good entertainment.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by crissrudd4554

The fourth would rank as my least favorite if I had to pick one but I still enjoy it. It has some nice moments and character progression, particularly Riggs. Adjusting to the idea of parenthood, contemplating a second marriage, accepting that he’s getting older. Still some good action. The chase fight on the tractor trailer is one of my favorites in the series. The comedies on point. Love the dentist office scene, the constant teasing of Roger about the article of him in his undies, and the “privates” joke. I would say it’s the plot with the bad guys that sorta loses me. Counterfeiting and slavery is basically all I understood of it. Leo’s analogy of his pet frog to his friendship with Riggs and Murtaugh is touching and well setup. At first you think “what the hell does that have to with Riggs’ situation??” but it quickly changes and becomes so poignant. Yes it’s the flawed one of the bunch but part 4 still delivers some good entertainment.

Yes! I love 4 for the same reasons as the rest because it's expanding on their friendship, their relationship and their families. To me all that action stuff is the skeleton on which the comedy and occasional seriousness is hung, not the other way around.

[crissrudd4554]

Also just to go back to quotes here’s two recent moments where I couldn’t help but think of the LW films. The fam and I were watching The Penguin finale the other week ago and when Oz is being tortured I couldn’t help but think of Murtaugh saying “Go spit you son of a b***h! F**k you!”.

Second was last week when we saw the ‘94 version of Miracle on 34th Street and my stepdad and I immediately quoted “Diplomatic immuuuuuunity!” when we saw Joss Ackland.

[jess1581]

Lethal Weapon: The Musical (Mel Gibson) - YouTube

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by crissrudd4554

Also just to go back to quotes here’s two recent moments where I couldn’t help but think of the LW films. The fam and I were watching The Penguin finale the other week ago and when Oz is being tortured I couldn’t help but think of Murtaugh saying “Go spit you son of a b***h! F**k you!”.

Second was last week when we saw the ‘94 version of Miracle on 34th Street and my stepdad and I immediately quoted “Diplomatic immuuuuuunity!” when we saw Joss Ackland.

Dude! Miracle on 34th was on TV last night and I thought the same thing

[crissrudd4554]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Dude! Miracle on 34th was on TV last night and I thought the same thing

Good minds think alike!