LETHAL WEAPON 4 1998
A film review by Timothy Voon
Copyright 1998 Timothy Voon
2 :-( :-( for too much noisy bickering
Director: Richard Donner Writer: Channing Gibson, story by Jonathan Lemkin Cast: Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Joe Pesci, Rene Russo, Chris Rock, Jet Li
It's difficult to express my disappointment at seeing an unsatisfying conclusion, to what would otherwise be considered a well made trilogy. The spark has just left Lethal Weapon 4, as surely as the lights dim before it's opening.
There are certain annoying tendencies that have cropped up in this movie, which was not obvious in its predecessors. It has to do with age and maturity, and unfortunately both Mel Gibson and Danny Glover are getting too old to be still yelling and screaming like kids. In fact the majority of their dialogue is so anxious, frenzied and manic – you probably won't understand what they're shouting about! Add Joe Peschi to the screeching and the noise has just become deafening. Not so funny anymore, poor Peschi gets the brunt of most of the childish antics of the two most immature Captains on the police force. Add Chris Rock to the trio and well, we have an avalanche of hyperactivity and mayhem. Rock tries to out-talk Peschi at every turn and Peschi responds by yelling louder. In fact all sanity is loss from the word go as the movie plummets into tedious routines of smart-arse cops trying to outdo each other.
Fortunately, Renne Russo isn't as manic as the others and retains the sanity and sanctity of a pregnant woman. The other commendable character is Jet Li - the martial arts world wonder boy, who doesn't have to shout to be heard. His stoic looks and staunch Mandarin dialogue, captures more meaning and heart than the combined clown fest of Gibson, Peschi, Rock and Glover put together. Not to mention the fact that Li could probably have kicked their butts majorly bad in a fair fight, but because he's the villain, ends up dead.
This was one movie where, I wanted the bad guy Li to win and give all four clowns a good thumping for making too much noise. The stunts are pretty average for this sort of action thriller – there are no meteorites, tidal waves or giant monsters stomping through the streets of this movie. Very disappointing overall, for what was otherwise an intelligent, witty action duo.
Timothy Voon
e-mail: stirling@netlink.com.au
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