In 1987 and 1989, Warner Bros. released “Lethal Weapon” and “Lethal Weapon 2”, directed by Richard Donner and starring Mel Gibson and Danny Glover. Gibson plays Riggs, a man who was a suicidal mess after the death of his wife while Glover plays Roger Murtaugh, a veteran detective who is just trying to make it to retirement and is constantly “too old for this shit.”
“Lethal Weapon 2” had Riggs going crazy again when he learned that the bad guys in that film were actually involved in his wife’s death. It also introduced Joe Pesci as the fast-talking police informant named Leo Getz. Murtaugh was still “too old for this shit.”
By 1992, it was decided that if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it and “Lethal Weapon 3” was released. All of these films play like a band getting back together. Richard Donner directs and Gibson and Glover return for more hijinks and action. Even Pesci returned as Leo Getz, now a legitimate real estate agent that is trying to sell Murtaugh’s house since he is only days away from retirement… and still “too old for this shit.”
The third movie has Riggs and Murtaugh investigating a case involving illegal guns being put out into the streets. The only problem is that these guns seem to be coming from the LAPD’s own evidence lockers. That means that someone on the inside may be the person they’re looking for… or is it someone who used to work for them?
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| Murtaugh and Riggs returned for more action in 'Lethal Weapon 3'! |
That’s also why Rene Russo’s Lorna Cole enters the picture. She’s an Internal Affairs officer who is initially antagonistic against Riggs and Murtaugh because of their penchant for destruction and chaos, but she may also be the perfect fit for Riggs with shared interests and battle scars.
What is surprising about the third movie is how well it holds up with the first two movies. It’s great to see Riggs and Murtaugh in action again and since the same team that made the first and second film return for this outing, it’s also consistent with what came before it.
Donner’s skills as an action director don’t fail him here with this movie. There are several great action set pieces such as a thrilling chase that sees Riggs trying to keep up with the bad guys while driving a police motorcycle.
Russo’s involvement in the movie also proves to be a great asset. She has great chemistry with Gibson and her character fits right in with the rest of the gang.
The film’s villain is actually an ex-cop named Jack Travis (Stuart Wilson) and while he can be an over-the-top villain, he’s actually a good antagonist for the movie. The fact that he also knows how to secure guns, drugs, etc. from the LAPD’s own evidence lockers also makes him an extra threat for our characters.
Ultimately, if you loved the first two films in the series and the movie that succeeded this one, then you’ll love “Lethal Weapon 3”. If you didn’t like the first two movies, then this one won’t do much to change your mind. For me, I’m a fan of this series and feel that this third film is a worthy entry into the franchise.
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