Alright, fellow tape-heads, let’s rewind to the hazy days of 1998. The video store shelves were groaning under the weight of sequels, and nestled amongst them was a familiar, slightly battered box: Lethal Weapon 4. Eleven years after Riggs first flipped out on Murtaugh’s lawn, here they were again, looking decidedly… well, older. There was a definite sense of ‘one last job’ surrounding this one, a feeling amplified by the slightly frantic energy pulsing through the film itself. Could the magic still be there, even buried under more explosions and an ever-expanding cast list? Let’s hit play.
### Still Crazy After All These Years?
The core premise finds Riggs (Mel Gibson) and Murtaugh (Danny Glover) tangling with ruthless Chinese Triads involved in human trafficking and counterfeiting. It’s a suitably grim backdrop, but let's be honest, the plot often feels like a framework to hang elaborate set pieces and beloved character interactions on. And by this point, the interactions are very familiar. Riggs is settling down (sort of) with Lorna Cole (Rene Russo, returning from LW3), both expecting a child. Murtaugh is grappling with becoming a grandfather, thanks to daughter Rianne (Traci Wolfe) and Detective Lee Butters (Chris Rock), a new, motor-mouthed addition seemingly designed to annoy him. And yes, Leo Getz (Joe Pesci), somehow now a private investigator, is still… Leo Getz.
The chemistry between Gibson and Glover remains the absolute bedrock. They slip back into these roles so effortlessly, it’s like watching old friends bicker and bond. Their timing is impeccable, honed over a decade, carrying scenes that might otherwise buckle under the weight of exposition or increasingly broad comedy. Richard Donner, returning to direct the franchise he basically built (hot off successes like Superman (1978) and The Goonies (1985)), clearly understands this dynamic is the secret sauce. He leans into the ‘family’ aspect – both the blood relations and the found family of the precinct – giving the film a surprisingly warm, albeit chaotic, center.
### Enter the Jet
But let's talk about the real game-changer here: Jet Li. Making his Hollywood debut as Wah Sing Ku, the primary villain, Li is a force of nature. Silent, menacing, and utterly lethal, he brings a completely different energy to the series. Remember how electrifying his fight scenes felt back then? This wasn't the brawling style we were used to; it was precise, lightning-fast Wushu. It's a known tidbit that Li was initially hesitant about playing a villain, but his presence elevates every action sequence he’s in. He provides a genuine physical threat that pushes Riggs and Murtaugh to their absolute limits, making the stakes feel personal and incredibly dangerous. His final confrontation with Riggs, amidst rain and collapsing debris, is a highlight of pure, brutal physicality.
### That Late 90s Action Spectacle
And the action… oh, the action. Lethal Weapon 4 arrived at the cusp of the digital revolution in effects, but it still proudly wears its practical stunt work on its sleeve. The freeway chase sequence is pure mayhem – cars flipping, tankers exploding, Murtaugh ending up in his underwear… it’s gloriously excessive, peak late-90s blockbuster stuff. You can feel the metal crunching, the heat from the (very real) fireballs. There’s a weight and impact here that often gets lost in today’s smoother, CG-heavy sequences. Was it over the top? Absolutely. But wasn't that part of the fun? It felt tangible, dangerous, like someone actually drove a car through an office building (which, by the way, was reportedly part of a sequence filmed with impressive miniature work combined with full-scale destruction).
The production itself was famously rushed. Rumor has it the script was still being finalized during filming, contributing to the somewhat episodic feel. Warner Bros. wanted the film out for the summer blockbuster season, leading to immense pressure on Donner and the team. Key cast members commanded hefty paychecks – Gibson reportedly netted around $25 million – reflecting the franchise's bankability even at this late stage. The budget ballooned to a reported $100-140 million range, a massive sum for the time, but it paid off handsomely, grossing over $285 million worldwide. Audiences clearly weren't too old for this stuff yet.
### The Expanding Family (Maybe Too Much?)
While the core duo shines, the supporting cast gets a bit crowded. Pesci's Leo Getz shtick feels slightly more forced this time around, though he still lands a few laughs. Chris Rock brings his signature manic energy as Butters, clearly having a blast playing off Glover, even if his character sometimes feels shoehorned in primarily for comic relief. His constant stream of chatter was apparently encouraged by Donner, adding another layer to the film's noisy charm. Russo is solid as Lorna, grounding Riggs and providing a capable partner, but doesn't get quite as much action spotlight as in LW3.
The blend of dark themes (human trafficking) with slapstick comedy and relationship drama is pure Lethal Weapon, but the mixture feels a little less balanced here than in the earlier installments. The tonal shifts can be jarring, lurching from grim violence to goofy antics. Yet, somehow, powered by Donner's experienced hand and the cast's commitment, it mostly holds together – a testament perhaps to the formula's enduring, if slightly worn, appeal. And let's not forget the score – the familiar strains of Michael Kamen and Eric Clapton's guitar work instantly transport you back.
### Final Reel
Lethal Weapon 4 isn't the tight, groundbreaking buddy-cop film the original was. It’s bigger, louder, messier, and definitely shows its age in places (the fashion, the tech, some of the humor). It juggles too many characters and occasionally trips over its own plot threads. But watching it again on a fuzzy screen, maybe late at night like we used to, there’s an undeniable charm. The practical action still impresses, Jet Li is unforgettable, and the chemistry between Gibson and Glover remains legendary. It felt like a slightly chaotic, overstuffed family reunion, but one you were still glad you attended.
Rating: 7/10 - While undeniably flawed and over-the-top, the core chemistry, Jet Li's electrifying introduction, and Donner's knack for spectacular (and very real-feeling) practical action make it a worthwhile, if slightly bloated, closing chapter to the main saga.
Final Thought: It’s the cinematic equivalent of that last, loud firework in the display – maybe not the most artful, but undeniably explosive and a fittingly noisy farewell to a certain kind of 90s action filmmaking.