Sutty
Posts: 3540
Joined: 6/6/2006
From: the front row
|
In my opinion they are all fine films. Lethal Weapons 1 & 2 do stand head and shoulders above 3 & 4 though. They are much more adult in their action storytelling, wheras the last two movies have much more obvious humour, an not all thanks to Leo Getz.
I think that perhaps by the forth installment they had become a little bit "sitcom-ish". Partly by softening up characters - Snake eyes is right when he says that any of Riggs lethalness is gone by part 3. He was lethal primarily because he didn't care whether he lived or died and was suicidal, his kung fu and shooting ability was secondary I think. By part 4 he's having his own family and is as far from wanting to die, or not caring, as you can get. - but also I think because we know the characters now. They have all been played by the same actors throughout and we are very familiar with them. Suddenly the family aspects of storylines starts to precedence over the police storylines. This wasn't the best thing to happen...
I think part 3 is the weakest installment, and I found that Rene Russo's character was one too many and got in the way. I always liked that "bromance" factor between Riggs and Murtough and she kind of got in the way of this. Once she was introduced their relationship wasn't really explored further which was a shame.
Part 4 is pretty good. Again not a patch on the first two but entertaining enough. They are now coming to terms with not only their age, which for Roger was always a factor, but retirement. An there is some nice moments and moments of humour mined from this. And I like the fight at the end. You really see that the two guys cannot and will not walk away from "the bad guys" and will really stand toe to toe and side by side with even the most seemingly undefeatable foe. The uncut version is the better and it is nice to see Murtough play an equal part in the physical defeating of a villian, rather than Riggs doing all the swinging. Some nice one liners too. Decent film.
Parts 1 & 2 I find difficult to seperate in terms of which is the better, I really do. The mood of both is rather dark an the action as I said earlier more adult. Both have good villians, though Busey does take it down here. I do think that Lethal Weapon 2 has the better ending by far. With Riggs on the edge of death, Murtough cradling him and Knockin' on Heavens Door coming in slowly. And both films have some classic set pieces...
Lethal Weapon:
The weapons training/smiley face scene.
"Do you really wanna jump?! Well come on! That's fine with me!"
Riggs shooting at a helicopter. Very cool.
Riggs and the christmas tree's.
The final fight.
Lethal Weapon 2.
The opening car chase
Riggs in a straightjacket
"But you're blick?!"
The introuction of Leo Getz
Bringing own the house
The last 20 minutes.
"Diplomatic Immunity"
"It's just been revoked!"
Yeah, I got to say I think that Lethal Weapon 2 is the better film. Danny Glover is given more to do and a share of the good dialogue "He was decaffinated". And more of the movie stands out in my mind than the first one.
Yep, Lethal Weapon 2 for me. Patsy Kensit or no.
_____________________________
"Lord, make me your instrument of peace. Where there is hatred, let me bring love.
Where there is darkness, light."
"When you're pushed, killin's as easy as breathin'"
|
Printable Version
RE: Lethal Weapon - 
New Messages
No New Messages
Hot Topic w/ New Messages
Hot Topic w/o New Messages
Locked w/ New Messages
Locked w/o New Messages
Post New Thread