Lethal Weapon 2 (1989) * * * 1/2

 

Directed by:  Richard Donner

Starring:  Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Joss Ackland, Derrick O' Connor, Joe Pesci, Patsy Kensit, Steve Kahan, Darlene Love

Lethal Weapon 2 begins smack dab in the middle of a frenetic car chase and never takes its foot off the gas.    It is the best in the Lethal Weapon series, which sparked a whole generation of cop/buddy movies.  The odd couple of Sgt. Roger Murtaugh (Glover) and Sgt. Martin Riggs (Gibson) return as the mismatched pair who by now have eased into a comfortable chemistry.   A third party is added to their mix in the form of hyper accountant Leo Getz (Pesci in one of his most memorable roles), who ripped off South African drug dealers and is now a federal witness...if Riggs and Murtaugh can keep him alive long enough to testify.

The South African drug dealers are led by the ruthless, unsmiling Rudd (Ackland), a South African diplomat stationed in Los Angeles who hides behind diplomatic immunity to avoid prosecution.   That doesn't stop Riggs and Murtaugh from harassing him and his underlings.   One of Rudd's crew is the particularly menacing Vorstedt (O'Connor) who we find has a past role in the events which changed Riggs' life.    The villains in Lethal Weapon 2 are ones we can't wait to see get theirs.    The way Rudd arrogantly flaunts his immunity as he is shooting someone makes you want to change the international diplomacy laws.   You also must take into account the movie was released in 1989, when apartheid was still in full swing in South Africa, adding an extra level of malevolence.  

Most of all, Lethal Weapon 2 is fun.   The actors can barely conceal their glee.   The action scenes aren't by rote, but contain high energy and creativity.   It's the first chase I can recall in which a surfboard plays a part in someone's demise.   The heart of Lethal Weapon 2 isn't the action, but the ever-growing relationship between Riggs and Murtaugh.   Lethal Weapon 2 doesn't simply recycle the first film, but finds ways to let Riggs and Murtaugh's friendship evolve.   It's also touching the way Leo fights his way into Riggs and Murtaugh's hearts, one "okay, okay" at a time.