In 1987, Lethal Weapon was a huge commercial success—grossing $120 million worldwide on a $15 million budget—and redefining the codes of the Friends movie. Starring the iconic duo Danny Glover-Mel Gibson, the film is a perfect cocktail of humor and action.
This success clearly motivated Warner producers to continue. After rejecting a very dark proposal from Shane Black, the original screenwriter, they hired Jeffrey Boam – who had scripted the first film – to write a more comedy-oriented script.
Still directed by Richard Donner, Lethal Weapon 2 sees the return of Martin Riggs and Roger Murtaugh, who are in charge of protecting Leo Getty, an ex-outlaw who has agreed to testify to arrest drug dealers. Their investigation leads them to the South African consulate…
Schoolboy humor, a beat that never misses, a political subtext about apartheid and the arrival of a new iconic character in the guise of Joe Pesci: this second part will prove to be more successful than the first! Unsurprisingly, it’s the saga’s highest-grossing episode in the United States, grossing $147 million.
In total, Lethal Weapon 2 earned $227 million worldwide. In France, the film attracts 1.8 million moviegoers. Therefore, it makes sense that the detective saga continues first with Lethal Weapon 3 in 1992, then Lethal Weapon 4 in 1998.
Richard Donner’s Lethal Weapon 2 with Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Joe Pesci…
from the age of 10
Tonight on TF1 Séries Films at 9pm.
Source: Allocine
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
