Review of Lethal Weapon 4 (1998) by Stuart K — 05 Aug 2013

And here's where it all ended, even if Warner Bros. would have liked to have made more, there's a distinct smugness about this one, as if Lethal Weapon 3 wasn't smug enough. This was filmed as breakneck speed, starting production in January 1998 for a July release that year, which left it's cast and crew shattered and drained, and they look tired here.

Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson) and Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover) are promoted from Sergeants to Captains, mainly because of all the destruction left in their wake, and that this could get them off the street for a while.

But, that doesn't last long, after they and Leo Getz (Joe Pesci) discover a ship full of Chinese slaves. Their investigations lead them to crime boss Benny Chan (Kim Chan) and hardass Triad negotiator Wah King Su (Jet Li).

Meanwhile Riggs has married Lorna Cole (Rene Russo) as is about to become a father, while Murtaugh has growing pains all of his own. It's a very silly film, and it's just an excuse to see them blow stuff up and shout comedic insults at one another.

They should have spent more time on this film, as it does look rushed in places and Donner didn't direct again for 5 years, while it caused Pesci to retire from acting for a while.