Lethal Weapon's final flourish (Lethal Weapon 4 (DVD))

Member Name: RussellsReviews

Product:	Lethal Weapon 4 (DVD)
Date:	17/09/09 (24 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Action, plenty of subplot

Disadvantages: None

Ah the famous duo are back again for a fourth and final installment? Allegedly there were plans for a fifth but these appear to have fallen through. What on earth they would have managed to do given the age of the stars now is beyond me. Perhaps this is why the plans were dropped...

The film sees two pregnancies that of Riggs' partner Lorna (from IA) and Murtaugh's daughter Rhianne. And signifies that the series has come along way, wayward Riggs as a father, young Rhianne as a mother and Murtaugh as a grandfather. The film begins with Murtaugh pretending to be a chicken whilst wearing only his underwear (a humourous if completely unrelated scene). A nice start and sets the tone for what will become the funniest of the Lethal Weapon films, (the scene at the dentist's is particuarly humourous). The plot revolves around an immigrant smuggling ring and the men in charge including likeable villain Uncle Benny and silent but ultimately deadly Wah Sing Ku played by Jet Li.

But what really makes the film is the various subplots. Murtaugh is unaware that Rhianne's unborn child's father and her husband is Detective Butters who works at the the same precinct as Riggs and Murtaugh. Riggs uses Butter's friendliness towards Murtaugh to convince Murtaugh that Butter's is interested in Murtaugh romantically of course to humourous effect.

The character of Butters is played by Chris Rock which in itself brings humour to the film, his very emotional reaction to crime is particuarly humourous. The realtionship between Murtaugh and Riggs continues in similar fashion with plenty of laughs along the way, the continued newspaper clipping plotline stands out.

There's also a sentimental moment from Leo who tells Riggs a heartbreaking story (surprisingly about a frog) from his childhood which changes Riggs' mind about marriage to Lorna. The only thing I found unconvincing about the film was the Riggs and Lorna relationship, the scene in which they walk on the beach lacks chemistry and I find them unconvincing as soon to be parents who are allegedly very much in love.
The film also sees Riggs realisation that he's not all that young anymore and is perhaps unable to do everything as rashly as he used to without consequence.

The final fight scene may surprise and keep in mind the UK version had 93 seconds removed due to excessive violence, I have no idea what these 93 seconds contained as I haven't seen the uncut version but keep that in mind when you watch it.

All in all a pretty standard outing for the Lethal Weapon crew but one that I think improves significantly on its predecessor.

Summary: Fantastic end to the Lethal Weapon series