Riggs and Murtaugh must stop the triads from freeing their leaders
​from prison while facing the fact they may be too old for this.

ACTION/CRIME

Lethal Weapon 4 (1998)

Directed by Richard Donner

Written by Channing Gibson

Starring Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Joe Pesci, Rene Russo,
Chris Rock, Jet Li, Kim Chan, Darlene Love, Traci Wolfe

Sequel to 1992’s Lethal Weapon 3

---

Caleb Leger

January 27, 2021

8/10

After seeing this, I got to admit, I really think they should drop the idea for a potential fifth film. Don’t get me wrong, it would be great to get Glover and Gibson back together with long-time director Richard Donner for a final installment which directly deals with them being too old for this finally. But, that’s something which is touched on here. Mainly because, well, this feels like a final installment already. An impressive one too if you take into account there have been zero casting changes and the director has been the same for all four films. At this rate, over 20 years later, it would feel weird since it’s not a guarantee we would get the whole gang back together again. Plus, I don’t know if our series stars would be good on the action scenes currently.

I want to start with someone I haven’t mentioned in the past three reviews. The fact that this series has maintained the same director in Richard Donner. See, I feel this is important to mention because I feels this is why there has been such a consistent tone across all the films. Seriously, everything from the action, comedy, and chemistry feel the exact same in each installment. Donner, being attached as director the entire time, plays a huge part in that. Now, for the very well-known new blood in this installment, Chris Rock and Jet Li. Rock brings his usual brand of humor to the proceedings and proves to be a great comedic foil to the rest of the cast. LI, as to be expected, does great as the film’s villain while also bring his brand of martial arts action to the mix.

I don’t know how they did it, but Lethal Weapon 4 solidifies my feelings in full. Not only is this a great (currently) final installment to a long running franchise, it also maintains the quality which hasn’t dropped since the original film. At this rate, if the long delayed fifth film ever does get off the ground, they better not disappoint.