Lethal Weapon 3

Directed by Richard Donner and screenplay by Jeffrey Boam and Robert Mark Kamen from a story by Boam, Lethal Weapon 3 is the third film of the film series where Martin Riggs and Roger Murtaugh team up with an internal affairs officer in pursuit of a former LAPD detective who has turned into an arms dealer. The film has Riggs and Murtaugh not only deal with a former cop who is selling guns to young men but also for the fact that the latter is retiring as Mel Gibson and Danny Glover reprise their respective roles as Riggs and Murtaugh while being joined by franchise regulars Joe Pesci, Darlene Love, Traci Wolfe, Damon Hines, Ebonie Smith, Jack McGee, Mary Ellen Trainor, and Steve Kahan reprising their roles from previous films. Also starring Rene Russo, Gregory Millar, and Stuart Wilson as Jack Travis. Lethal Weapon 3 is a sensational film from Richard Donner.

The film has Martin Riggs and Roger Murtaugh not only deal with a former cop who has become an illegal arms dealer to fund his own real estate venture as they’re joined by an internal affairs officer who is investigating the case. Meanwhile, Murtaugh is set to retire in less than a week as he isn’t just coping with the need to retire but is also confronted with the severity of his case which involves armor-piercing bullets known as “cop-killers”. Teaming up with the internal affairs officer Lorna Cole (Rene Russo) and getting help from friend Leo Getz (Joe Pesci), Riggs and Murtaugh not only take on the case but also deal with how intense it is as their antagonist is Jack Travis who is a man that knows every police code and how to get around them. Yet, he is driven by greed and chaos as he used to be one of the good guys only to be so corrupt that he was kicked out of the force.

The film’s screenplay, which features additional contributions from Carrie Fisher, doesn’t just explore these two cops trying to uncover this case of illegal arms dealing but also for the fact that young African-American men are the ones who are buying these guns. Even as Murtaugh would shoot a young man with one of those guys who is revealed to be one of his son’s friends as he becomes consumed with guilt as he would withdraw himself from everyone including his own family. This would force Riggs to continue the investigation with Cole for a while as the two develop a rapport with one another over their love of violence and the Three Stooges. Once Riggs gets Murtaugh back in the game as he reveals how Murtaugh’s retirement affects Riggs, it becomes clear how special this partnership is as Riggs knows Murtaugh is teetering on the edge as he would protect him.

By the film’s second half, Murtaugh starts to display a bit of craziness as his grief becomes the driving force to confront those who had been dealing weapons as it would lead to some discoveries about Travis’ real-estate ventures as they seek Getz’s help. Getz’s appearance in the film definitely adds a lot of humor as he has reinvented himself as a real estate dealer as he tries to sell Murtaugh’s house while he is someone that can get connections about Travis’ line of work which does lead to this explosive third act where Riggs, Murtaugh, and Cole confront Travis and his men not only to save their friends in the police force but also stop Travis from killing men on the force.

Richard Donner’s direction starts off with a bang where Riggs and Murtaugh try to defuse a bomb only to make things worse as it plays to that mix of action and humor. Especially as it takes place in the span of more than a week as Murtaugh is spending his final days as a detective until he retires. Much of the compositions are simple as Donner keeps much of the humor light-hearted and natural for gags such as Riggs trying to quit smoking or Murtaugh dealing with an admirer he met during a chase. Still, there is a balance to the humor and action in the way Donner plays out as well as some light-hearted moments where Riggs is definitely part of Murtaugh’s family as he would be the one to find Murtaugh at his lowest as it’s one of the most powerful moments of the film.

The direction is also sprawling in terms of the action set pieces from the opening sequence of a bomb destroying a building to some chase scenes. Notably a chase scene in the third act where Riggs and Murtaugh save Captain Murphy from Travis as Riggs borrows a motorcycle to chase Travis and one of his goons onto an unfinished highway. All of which leads to this very violent and elaborate climax that shows why Riggs and Murtaugh are the last two cops that should be messed with. Add Cole to the mix and there is more trouble as she is a total ass-kicker as the result is an explosive climax that also includes bits of humor. Overall, Donner creates a very exciting and funny film about two detectives who are joined by an internal affairs officer in taking down a former cop who has gone bad.

Cinematographer Jan de Bont does excellent work with the cinematography to capture the sunny look of the scenes set in Los Angeles including the nighttime climax scene with its use of fire and elaborate lights. Editors Robert Brown and Battle Davis do brilliant work with the editing with its use of rhythmic cuts to play into the action and suspense including the chase scenes as well as some of the film‘s funnier moments. Production designer James H. Spencer, with set decorator Richard C. Goddard and art director Greg Papalia, does fantastic work with the look of Murtaugh‘s home as well as Riggs‘ trailer home in a renovated state as well as some of the places such as the precinct where Riggs and Murtaugh work at.

Sound editor Robert G. Henderson does nice work with the sound to play into the sense of chaos that goes in the gunfights as well as some scenes set in the Los Angeles subways and at a hockey game. The film’s music by Eric Clapton, Michael Kamen, and David Sanborn is superb as its mixtures of blues, orchestral music, and jazz play into the air of suspense and action as well as some humor that includes variations of the Three Stooges theme while the soundtrack features songs by Sting and Elton John.

The casting by Marion Dougherty is incredible as it features notable small roles from Andrew Hill Newman as a jaywalker Riggs and Murtaugh harass, Gregory Millar as an associate of Travis in Tyrone, Nick Chinlund as an arms dealer working for Travis, Jason Rainwater as a young rookie cop that would help in saving Captain Murphy, Mark Pellegrino as an associate of Travis who gets arrested early in the film, Bobby Wynn as Nick’s friend Darryl, Jack McGee reprising his role as the carpenter from the previous film as he helps Riggs renovate his home, Delores Hall as the bank security driver who is attracted to Murtaugh, and Mary Ellen Trainor as the police psychiatrist Dr. Stephanie Woods who keeps asking Murtaugh to come see her in a very awkward moment with him and Riggs.

Ebonie Smith and Damon Hines are terrific in their respective roles as Carrie and Nick Murtaugh who are hoping for the dad would retire while Traci Wolfe is wonderful as the eldest daughter Rianne who is trying to make it as an actress as she asked Riggs to find her dad when he didn’t come home over the shooting of Darryl. Darlene Love is excellent as Murtaugh’s wife Trish who is anxious about her husband’s impending retirement as, in the extended cut of the film, has him not forget his bulletproof vest while asking Riggs to keep her husband out of trouble. Steve Kahan is superb as Captain Murphy who knew Travis when he was once a cop as he is later captured by Travis in order to get access to some weapons. Stuart Wilson is fantastic as Jack Travis as this former cop who has become an arms dealer in order to fund his own real estate ventures as he is a really fun and sly antagonist.

Rene Russo is great as Lorna Cole as this internal affairs officer who leads the investigation over what Travis is doing as she proves to be an absolute ass-kicker who doesn’t take shit from anyone making Riggs fall for her. Joe Pesci is brilliant as Leo Getz as he brings in that great sense of humor as he tries to help Murtaugh sell his house while aiding them in finding clues relating to the case. Finally, there’s Mel Gibson and Danny Glover in marvelous performances in their respective roles as Martin Riggs and Roger Murtaugh as the two maintain that sense of chemistry of mayhem and hilarity while also showing their vulnerable side during an intense moment involving a grief-stricken Murtaugh. Even as the two switch personas for a bit where Murtaugh gets a bit crazy and Riggs being the straight man as Gibson also displays a lot of humor in his performance that includes a very funny scene where he tries to win over a guard dog by acting like a dog.

Lethal Weapon 3 is a remarkable film from Richard Donner that features thrilling performances from Mel Gibson and Danny Glover plus strong supporting performances from Rene Russo, Joe Pesci, and Stuart Wilson. The film isn’t just one of the finest action blockbusters of the 1990s but also one of the funniest. It’s a film that has something for everyone while also having something for the smart audiences as well as audiences that want some excitement. In the end, Lethal Weapon 3 is a phenomenal film from Richard Donner.

Richard Donner Films: (X-15) - (Salt and Pepper) - (Twinky) - (The Omen) - (Superman) - (Inside Moves) - (The Toy) - (The Goonies) - (Ladyhawke) - Lethal Weapon - (Scrooged) - Lethal Weapon 2 - (Radio Flyer) - (Maverick) - (Assassins) - (Conspiracy Theory) - Lethal Weapon 4 - (Timeline) - (16 Blocks) - (Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut)

© thevoid99 2014

Lethal Weapon

Directed by Richard Donner and written by Shane Black, Lethal Weapon is the story of two very different Los Angeles detectives who become partners as they battle a retired general who has become a drug smuggler and his psychotic enforcer. The film is a strange mixture of the buddy comedy films with high-octane action as it is led by two men who have nothing in common as Mel Gibson plays the crazed, suicidal Martin Riggs and Danny Glovers as the straight-laced veteran Roger Murtaugh. Also starring Gary Busey, Mitchell Ryan, Darlene Love, Traci Wolfe, Tom Atkins, Mary Ellen Trainor, and Steve Kahan as Captain Murphy. Lethal Weapon is an explosive yet extremely entertaining film from Richard Donner.

What happens when a middle-aged family man who is straight as an arrow is teamed up with a lonely and crazed man with a death wish as they go around chasing bad guys? That is basically the premise of the film as it plays into this odd world where two guys who have nothing in common other than being part of the LAPD as they deal with a drug smuggler who was once a general in the Vietnam War who also has an enforcer that is extremely insane in terms of dealing with situations. Especially as the veteran Roger Murtaugh is asked to investigate the death of a young woman whose father is an old friend of Murtaugh as he and Martin Riggs deal with many revelations about the drug trade that is connected with this woman’s death. During this investigation, Riggs and Murtaugh would become this unlikely duo that takes name and kick some ass as they also find more to like about each other outside of their work.

Shane Black’s screenplay definitely has this strange mix of action, suspense, and humor all rolled into a story that is offbeat but also filled with a lot of excitement. At the heart of the script is this unlikely partnership between Riggs and Murtaugh as they’re different in many ways not just in age, personalities, skills, morals, backgrounds, and in lifestyles. Yet, this duo manage to become partners that get things done as well as be there for one another. In Murtaugh, he’s this middle-aged veteran who lives in the suburbs as he’s been in the force for many years as he has three children as one of whom in Rianne (Traci Wolfe) is becoming a young woman. In being this veteran, he copes with being middle-aged as he often states that he’s too old for this shit which is among the many aspects of the film’s humor.

In Riggs, there’s a man who is an absolute mess as he is known for being very crazy in his tactics where he has no qualms in killing criminals as he has an offbeat sense of humor inspired by the Three Stooges. Yet, he’s also someone that is suicidal due to the death of his wife as he would often put himself or anyone else near him in danger. Having these two men as partners definitely seems like a combustible partnership but once they deal with revelations of this young woman’s death as well as it plays into this world of drug smuggling run by General Peter McAllister (Mitchell Ryan) whose enforcer in Joshua (Gary Busey) is a man that doesn’t just get things done but he has tactics that are far more brutal. Even as it would involve Murtaugh’s family which would have Riggs and Murtaugh go into great lengths to stop these two men at any cost.

Richard Donner’s direction starts off with a bang as it opens with aerial shots of Los Angeles and moves into a close-up of a drugged-out young woman in her hotel room as she would then jump off the building. It sets up the tone of what kind of film it would be as Donner infuses a lot of style from high-octane aerial shots as well as some unique camera angles to play into the action. Much of the action is often intense as it also include some moments of dark humor as it relates to the mismatched partnership of Riggs and Murtaugh in the things they would encounter. While many of the action sequences are elaborate in its presentation with wide shots and stylistic camera angles to play into the vast look of the film. It is balanced by the intimate approach to humor and suspense for the film.

Donner’s use of close-ups and medium shots play into the humor as well as the developing friendship between Riggs and Murtaugh as the former gets to know the latter and his family. It adds to something that feels very intimate as well as special into something that Riggs is in need of as he is a man that lives in a trailer on a beach with his dog. Once the two are in great danger as they meet their adversaries, the sense of drama and suspense do intensify where Murtaugh would realize that he needs to play dirty if he is to make sure the world is a safer place. It adds to the dramatic stakes where Riggs needs Murtaugh to keep him in control and Murtaugh needs Riggs to push his buttons. Overall, Donner creates a very riveting yet exhilarating film about two mismatched detectives who work together and kill some bad guys.

Cinematographer Stephen Goldblatt does excellent work with the cinematography from the colorful and sunny look of the scenes set in the daytime in Los Angeles and the Californian deserts to more stylish usage of lights for its nighttime interior/exterior scenes. Editor Stuart Baird does brilliant work with the editing with its usage of stylish slow-motion cuts as well as jump-cuts to play into the action and suspense. Production designer J. Michael Riva and set decorator Marvin March do terrific work with the set pieces from the look of the homes of some of suspects as well as the different homes of Riggs and Murtaugh to play into their different lifestyles.

Costume designer Mary Malin does nice work with the clothes to play into the different looks of Riggs and Murtaugh with the former wearing street clothes and the latter wearing a shirt and tie. Sound editors Robert G. Henderson and Alan Robert Murray do amazing work with the sound to play into layers of gunfire as well as explosions and other moments to play into the film‘s humor and action scenes. The film’s music by Michael Kamen, Eric Clapton, and David Sanborn is superb for its mixture of Kamen‘s soaring orchestral music to play into the film‘s suspense while Clapton brings in some blues-based guitar to showcase the sense of melancholia surrounding Riggs and Sanborn bringing some snazzy jazz with his saxophone for some of the film‘s humorous moments.

The casting by Marion Dougherty is phenomenal for the ensemble that is created as it features some small performances from Jackie Swanson as the young woman who would jump off a building in the film’s opening sequence, Grand Bush and Jack Thibeau as a couple of fellow detectives, Blackie Dammett as a thug Riggs beats up early in the film, Lycia Naff as a hooker Riggs and Murtaugh interrogate, Al Leong as Joshua’s man of torture, and Sally Field in an un-credited cameo as a TV news reporter. Other notable small roles include Ebonie Smith and Damon Hines in their respective roles as Murtaugh’s younger children Carrie and Nick, Mary Ellen Trainor as the police psychiatrist Dr. Stephanie Woods, and Steve Kahan in a terrific performance as Riggs and Murtaugh’s superior Captain Murphy.

Traci Wolfe is wonderful as Murtaugh’s teenage daughter Rianne who has a crush on Riggs while taken hostage by McAllister. Darlene Love is excellent as Murtaugh’s wife Trish who is has this sense of warmth and comfort that intrigues Riggs while being the person that grounds her husband from doing dangerous things. Tom Atkins is superb as Michael Hunsaker as the old friend of Murtaugh who asks for his help following his daughter’s death as he would reveal some things about why his daughter jumped off a building to her death. Mitchell Ryan is fantastic as General Peter McAllister as a once-revered army leader who decides to go into the world of drug smuggling as he sees money in the operation and will do anything to be rich.

Gary Busey is brilliant as the devious enforcer Joshua who knows Riggs via reputation as he is very insane guy who can push people’s buttons and do things to get the job done. Finally, there’s the duo of Mel Gibson and Danny Glover in incredible performances as Martin Riggs and Roger Murtaugh. Gibson brings that mix of craziness and vulnerability to his character as this man that is teetering on the edge as he tries to find something to live for. Glover is the perfect straight man as he has these little moments that make him very funny as well as very serious in the way he does his job. Gibson and Glover have a chemistry that is often fun to watch in the way Riggs makes Murtaugh tick or how Murtaugh tries to show Riggs how it’s done as they are the heart and soul of the film.

Lethal Weapon is an outstanding film from Richard Donner that features top-notch performances from Mel Gibson and Danny Glover. Featuring an inventively witty script from Shane Black as well as a noteworthy supporting performance from Gary Busey. The film is definitely a standard bearer for not just buddy cop films as well as action-comedies but it’s also one of the most enjoyable films that still holds up since its initial release. In the end, Lethal Weapon is a gloriously enthralling and exciting film from Richard Donner.

Richard Donner Films: (X-15) - (Salt and Pepper) - (Twinky) - (The Omen) - (Superman) - (Inside Moves) - (The Toy) - (The Goonies) - (Ladyhawke) - (Scrooged) - Lethal Weapon 2 - (Radio Flyer) - Lethal Weapon 3 - (Maverick) - (Assassins) - (Conspiracy Theory) - Lethal Weapon 4 - (Timeline) - (16 Blocks) - (Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut)

© thevoid99 2014