LETHAL WEAPON 3
A film review by Jose R. Perez
Copyright 1992 Jose R. Perez
I went to this movie with very low expectations for a variety of reasons: first, and unlike the other two, it has gotten mixed reviews in the media (although mostly good); secondly, the net has also had mixed opinions; and last and foremost in my apprehension, Shane Black (the writer of the others) has apparently departed the LW team. However, since Richard Donner and the regulars were back, I decide to gamble on seeing it.
To my surprise, LW3 surpassed by far my expectations; I am still amazed that some opinions in the net hint of not enough action. One big part of the LW movies is the action, and the incredible stunts; (IMHO) this movie had more than enough spectacular and new action and situations to blow me away. Another part of the LW movies, and what is almost as important, is the buddy cop relationship between the characters. With Mr. Black departed, I was concerned the relationship (and the chemistry) wouldn't be as strong. Again, I was pleasantly surprised, as the Riggs-Murtaugh relationship is stronger than ever, and even though Mr. Leo (okay, okay, okay!) Getz is on screen for few parts of the movie, the character is still interesting. What's more, Rene Russo worked *perfectly* for me as an addition to the usual duo, even though she is only a female Riggs. The last Shane Black movie THE LAST BOY SCOUT disappointed me, in that the relationship seemed strained and in that I *hate!* Tony Scott's directing style of almost complete constant closeups and grisly violence. Kudos to Mr. Donner and Mr. Jeffrey Boam (who has written the last two LW screenplays and the LW3 story) for making LW3 as good as it was.
As to the plot, it had as much of it as the others. To me the LW movies are simply this: Completely fleshed out characters interact with each other with expertly done humor and action with unbelievable (and new) stunts. LW3 delivered in all these counts. Plot is not irrelevant in these movies, but does demand a little suspension of disbelief; thankfully, since the action and humor are so well done, and the movies are so well filmed by Mr. Donner and his crew, the fun experienced by the movie-goer more that makes up for the occasional "oh, sure...." LW3 simply delivers.
On that note, the LW movies get the following ratings:
LW1: ***1/2 : Damm near perfect; the first cop buddy relationship that
evolves and is believable since 48 HOURS.
LW2: *** : Great movie! Riggs may not be suicidal but he is still crazy;
the character change in the first one is supplanted by
nonstop action and humor in the second one. One proof that
when the heart is in a production, a sequel can work.
LW3: *** : (See above!) Ms. Russo is an excellent addition; the movie
simply is fun.
These series are evolving into the American Bond movies, (IMHO). Let's hope the fourth one (if there is one) is as good as LW3.
Footnote: (AND SPOILERS!!!!!!!!) ^L I mean it! ^L
Russo's character didn't die!!! HURRAAAYYYYY! Maybe it was for the best that Mr. Black departed; he seems to kill all the females :-) Who knows? Maybe Russo will save Riggs on the next one (Big :-))
To some people, the ending seemed tacked on; to me, ever since Riggs told Murtaugh that by retiring himself he would be retiring them, I *knew* he wasn't going to retire. To me, it was a treat to relive his birthday scene in the first one with his retirement party; guess they didn't change the bathroom much after the explosion :-).
That's it. Be excellent to each other,
Next weekend: ALIEN^3 - Maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised again.
-- *Jose R. Perez *Internet: *gt7257c@prism.gatech.edu
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