Lethal Weapon 4 (1998)
Lethal Weapon 4 really pulls out all the stops with the action sequences and special effects. It feels like there’s an explosion in every scene. Since it is the last one in the franchise, why not? And since it is the last one, there’s a tension in the action scenes that makes you wonder and worry if everyone’s going to make it out alive. Especially because they’re getting older. Danny Glover’s catchphrase is now adopted by Mel Gibson as well, as they lament in scene after scene that “they’re too old for this s***”. With both partners having a new baby on the way (Mel’s about to be a daddy, and Danny’s about to be a grandpa), they both have motivations to stay safe.
But if you’ve watched all three Lethal Weapon movies up to this point, you know that playing it safe isn’t in Mel’s vocabulary. And for the fourth and final time, Danny goes along for the ride and places his life in his friend’s hands. This one is very suspenseful, and the stunt and action scenes threaten to overwhelm you, even twenty years later.
There were some notable changes in this movie, the most obvious was Mel Gibson’s haircut. In 1987, the mullet was extremely cool. In 1998, it had to go. Another distinction was found in the villain. Originally offered to Jackie Chan (who turned it down because he didn’t want to play a bad guy), Jet Li was a super-scary villain for the first time in his career. Right before he killed someone, he’d relax and smile to put the other person at ease. It was very creepy, and very effective!
I won’t spoil the conclusion of the franchise, but I will say that no matter what you’re hoping will happen, you owe it to the boys to watch it all the way through. You’ll see some incredible stunt work, and in the nostalgic end credits, a photo collage shows all the people behind the scenes, including the stunt men! Chris Rock guest stars as a new face, with an interesting connection to Danny Glover, so if you like his style of humor you’ll get to chuckle in a few scenes. I always laugh whenever Joe Pesci’s on the screen (yes, he’s back, okay?). But the normally hilarious Joe gets emotional as he shares a sad memory from his past. What is this, the last movie in a series or something? Yes it is, so expect some sentiment amidst the action and humor.
Kiddy Warning: Obviously, you have control over your own children. However, due to violence and language, I wouldn’t let my kids watch it.
More Danny Glover movies here!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of 1987's Lethal Weapon here!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of 1989's Lethal Weapon 2 here!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of 1992's Lethal Weapon 3 here!
But if you’ve watched all three Lethal Weapon movies up to this point, you know that playing it safe isn’t in Mel’s vocabulary. And for the fourth and final time, Danny goes along for the ride and places his life in his friend’s hands. This one is very suspenseful, and the stunt and action scenes threaten to overwhelm you, even twenty years later.
There were some notable changes in this movie, the most obvious was Mel Gibson’s haircut. In 1987, the mullet was extremely cool. In 1998, it had to go. Another distinction was found in the villain. Originally offered to Jackie Chan (who turned it down because he didn’t want to play a bad guy), Jet Li was a super-scary villain for the first time in his career. Right before he killed someone, he’d relax and smile to put the other person at ease. It was very creepy, and very effective!
I won’t spoil the conclusion of the franchise, but I will say that no matter what you’re hoping will happen, you owe it to the boys to watch it all the way through. You’ll see some incredible stunt work, and in the nostalgic end credits, a photo collage shows all the people behind the scenes, including the stunt men! Chris Rock guest stars as a new face, with an interesting connection to Danny Glover, so if you like his style of humor you’ll get to chuckle in a few scenes. I always laugh whenever Joe Pesci’s on the screen (yes, he’s back, okay?). But the normally hilarious Joe gets emotional as he shares a sad memory from his past. What is this, the last movie in a series or something? Yes it is, so expect some sentiment amidst the action and humor.
Kiddy Warning: Obviously, you have control over your own children. However, due to violence and language, I wouldn’t let my kids watch it.
More Danny Glover movies here!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of 1987's Lethal Weapon here!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of 1989's Lethal Weapon 2 here!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of 1992's Lethal Weapon 3 here!