Thursday, March 15, 2007

Lethal Weapon 2


Dysfunctional partners Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson) and Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover) returned for a second adventure in the 1989 film "Lethal Weapon 2." The pair ended on quite friendly terms at the end of the first film, but have become best buds by the time this second picture begins rolling. Riggs is not the depressed lunatic he was in the first outing, he is simply a lunatic. Murtaugh has a full understanding of his friend´s idiosyncrasies, and though Murtaugh would rather not partake in some of Riggs near suicidal high speed chases, he knows his partner is one hell of a cop. Where they were reluctant partners in most of the first film, the second movie redefines the "Lethal Weapon" franchise as the ultimate in buddy-cop movies, which an incredible blend of action, humor, danger and excitement.

"Lethal Weapon 2" is the hardest edged of the series. The first film began darker, with Riggs sanity and depression a core element of the film, but those emotions have been replaced with blood and death. In this second film, the filmmakers were not afraid to kill a half a dozen or more cops, eliminate a very pretty and innocent love interest and also reveal a deadly and ruthless villain that is by far the most ominous bad guy in the four film series. While "Lethal Weapon 2" is filled with the series trademark humor, it delves into dark territory and is not quite the good natured films that the series final two pictures redefined the franchise into. Underneath the mean and nasty natured moments, Riggs is still Riggs and Murtaugh is still Murtaugh and the film revisits themes and humor that was prevalent in the first film. It is not entirely dark. There is an explosive toilet scene that is both thrilling and funny bone tickling.

In this second film, Riggs and Murtaugh discover that a South African diplomat is hiding beyond his diplomatic immunity, but is quite the villain. Arjen Rudd (Joss Ackland) is discovered to be smuggling gold ingots into the country in large shipping containers and does not bat an eyelash at killing anybody that gets in his way. Riggs confronts Rudd, but Rudd has no issues with letting Riggs know that there is not a damn thing he can do and that he will continue to take part in what he is doing. Of course, Riggs is determined to bring down the bad seed from South Africa and will stop at nothing. "Lethal Weapon 2" becomes a test of wits between two men who do not mind bending the law or bringing about a little destruction. Riggs finds aide from a lovely South African assistant, Rika Van Dan Hass (Patsy Kensit). Rika takes a liking to Riggs and is possibly his key to infiltrating the evildoings of the diplomat.

Debuting in the second film is the loudmouthed informant, Leo Getz (Joe Pesci). What Leo wants; Leo gets. Gets would become the third member of the team, as he manages to find is way into the adventures in both the third and fourth film to assist Riggs and Murtaugh. Getz is a hilarious character and this film is far more entertaining due to Pesci´s presence. Pesci had made himself known for playing a mobster and a tough character. "Lethal Weapon 2" is a vehicle that showed the comedic talents of the actor and while his character may be grating to the soul, he can be awfully funny. Returning to the second film is Murtaugh´s family. His wife apparently cannot yet cook, but has become close to Riggs as well and Murtaugh´s daughter has aged into a fine young woman and her first acting job provides additional lighthearted laughs to the picture.

"Lethal Weapon 2" is an action packed adventure that is filled with laughs, but also with danger. Not many action-comedies have as high a death count as this picture, but one particular string of scenes quickly launches it into higher numbers. The introduction of Leo Getz is all about comedic relief and I feel that the "Lethal Weapon" franchise is not only one of the iconic roles for stars Mel Gibson and Danny Glover, but also one of the defining roles for Joe Pesci. This film moves fast and is unflinching as the story moves quickly towards its climax. The audience isn´t given a lot of time to regain its breath, aside from a sultry love scene between Gibson and Kensit. That is interrupted with a high intensity action sequence, so the breath doesn´t last that long. The "Lethal Weapon" franchise is one of the best action franchises to span multiple sequels and perhaps the defining buddy-cop action series. "Lethal Weapon 2" moves faster and provides more laughs and action than the first and is certainly one of the better sequels you will find.

Dysfunctional partners Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson) and Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover) returned for a second adventure in the 1989 film "Lethal Weapon 2." The pair ended on quite friendly terms at the end of the first film, but have become best buds by the time this second picture begins rolling. Riggs is not the depressed lunatic he was in the first outing, he is simply a lunatic. Murtaugh has a full understanding of his friend´s idiosyncrasies, and though Murtaugh would rather not partake in some of Riggs near suicidal high speed chases, he knows his partner is one hell of a cop. Where they were reluctant partners in most of the first film, the second movie redefines the "Lethal Weapon" franchise as the ultimate in buddy-cop movies, which an incredible blend of action, humor, danger and excitement.

"Lethal Weapon 2" is the hardest edged of the series. The first film began darker, with Riggs sanity and depression a core element of the film, but those emotions have been replaced with blood and death. In this second film, the filmmakers were not afraid to kill a half a dozen or more cops, eliminate a very pretty and innocent love interest and also reveal a deadly and ruthless villain that is by far the most ominous bad guy in the four film series. While "Lethal Weapon 2" is filled with the series trademark humor, it delves into dark territory and is not quite the good natured films that the series final two pictures redefined the franchise into. Underneath the mean and nasty natured moments, Riggs is still Riggs and Murtaugh is still Murtaugh and the film revisits themes and humor that was prevalent in the first film. It is not entirely dark. There is an explosive toilet scene that is both thrilling and funny bone tickling.

In this second film, Riggs and Murtaugh discover that a South African diplomat is hiding beyond his diplomatic immunity, but is quite the villain. Arjen Rudd (Joss Ackland) is discovered to be smuggling gold ingots into the country in large shipping containers and does not bat an eyelash at killing anybody that gets in his way. Riggs confronts Rudd, but Rudd has no issues with letting Riggs know that there is not a damn thing he can do and that he will continue to take part in what he is doing. Of course, Riggs is determined to bring down the bad seed from South Africa and will stop at nothing. "Lethal Weapon 2" becomes a test of wits between two men who do not mind bending the law or bringing about a little destruction. Riggs finds aide from a lovely South African assistant, Rika Van Dan Hass (Patsy Kensit). Rika takes a liking to Riggs and is possibly his key to infiltrating the evildoings of the diplomat.

Debuting in the second film is the loudmouthed informant, Leo Getz (Joe Pesci). What Leo wants; Leo gets. Gets would become the third member of the team, as he manages to find is way into the adventures in both the third and fourth film to assist Riggs and Murtaugh. Getz is a hilarious character and this film is far more entertaining due to Pesci´s presence. Pesci had made himself known for playing a mobster and a tough character. "Lethal Weapon 2" is a vehicle that showed the comedic talents of the actor and while his character may be grating to the soul, he can be awfully funny. Returning to the second film is Murtaugh´s family. His wife apparently cannot yet cook, but has become close to Riggs as well and Murtaugh´s daughter has aged into a fine young woman and her first acting job provides additional lighthearted laughs to the picture.

"Lethal Weapon 2" is an action packed adventure that is filled with laughs, but also with danger. Not many action-comedies have as high a death count as this picture, but one particular string of scenes quickly launches it into higher numbers. The introduction of Leo Getz is all about comedic relief and I feel that the "Lethal Weapon" franchise is not only one of the iconic roles for stars Mel Gibson and Danny Glover, but also one of the defining roles for Joe Pesci. This film moves fast and is unflinching as the story moves quickly towards its climax. The audience isn´t given a lot of time to regain its breath, aside from a sultry love scene between Gibson and Kensit. That is interrupted with a high intensity action sequence, so the breath doesn´t last that long. The "Lethal Weapon" franchise is one of the best action franchises to span multiple sequels and perhaps the defining buddy-cop action series. "Lethal Weapon 2" moves faster and provides more laughs and action than the first and is certainly one of the better sequels you will find.

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