“You think I could get a gun this time?” —Leo Getz
Today’s quick review: Lethal Weapon 3. With only a week left until retirement, Sgt. Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover) of the LAPD is determined not to take any unnecessary chances. But Murtaugh is forced back in the line of fire when he and his partner Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson) discover a crooked ex-cop (Stuart Wilson) trafficking high-powered weapons. Meanwhile, Riggs meets his match in Lorna Cole (Rene Russo), a hardheaded officer from Internal Affairs.
Lethal Weapon 3 is an action movie starring Mel Gibson and Danny Glover. Mismatched partners Martin Riggs and Roger Murtaugh return, this time with the much more modest goal of getting Murtaugh safely to retirement. Lethal Weapon 3 continues the series tradition of explosive action backed by playful, character-driven comedy. However, the movie lacks some of the finesse of its predecessors, making it a solid action flick but not much more.
Lethal Weapon 3 struggles to hit the same balance as the first two entries in the series. The plot isn’t as tightly constructed, with a less memorable villain and action thrown in for its own sake. The scenarios are more outrageous, pushing the movie away from drama and more towards comedy. Lorna is a fine addition to the cast, a female counterpart to Riggs, but she isn’t given the chance to work her way into the group organically.
Still, these faults are minor compared to what the movive gets right. Mel Gibson and Danny Glover are still a great duo, especially when they’re given the chance to show how far Riggs and Murtaugh’s relationship has come. Joe Pesci earns some laughs as the loudmouthed Leo Getz, now turned from money laundering to real estate. The action is loud and thrilling, with a couple of big stunts and a few moments of drama that land surprisingly well.
Lethal Weapon 3 remains a solid pick for fans of the action genre. It has all the basics in roughly the right proportions, with plenty of action, good comedy, and some memorable characters. Anyone looking for a popcorn watch should look no farther. However, the recipe is executed with a little less skill than before, making it harder for Lethal Weapon 3 to stand out from the crowd. As such, those looking for perfection should give it a pass.
For another iconic action series with similar merits, check out the Die Hard movies.
6.7 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 for quality action missing some of the polish of its predecessors.