Customer Reviews

Lethal Weapon 2 [Blu-ray]

5 star:		(40)
4 star:		(29)
3 star:		(13)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

After recently purchasing a PlayStation3 primarily for its functionality as a Blu-ray high-definition movie disc player, I was really looking forward to seeing some of my all-time favorite films on the new format. I mean, Blu-ray has 50gb of storage capacity on one side of a disc, enough room to pack a pristine 1080p video print and uncompressed 7.1 PCM audio, not to mention loads of extras... Having said that, Warner Home Video really let me down with their first issue of 1989's "Lethal Weapon 2" on Blu-ray disc. This is exactly what I feared they would do. Rather than do the job right the first time out, consumers are being setup for an obvious double-dip on several titles, including the first two "Lethal Weapon" films.

I grew up watching a VHS of "Lethal Weapon 2" with my older brother. He and I both loved this movie and used to watch it constantly, so naturally over the years we hope and pray for vastly improved ways to watch this 18-year old favorite. This Blu-ray disc is NOT that vast improvement we've been waiting for. From the opening frame, what we get is an image so jagged and grainy that it tempted me to insert my "Lethal Weapon 2: Director's Cut" DVD and see if the 480p image upconverted to 1080p was any better. So I did that, and while the DVD did make the Blu-ray presentation look good, that's not saying much. While there's a lot more detail and color depth in the Blu-ray version, there is also the huge distraction of seeing jagged edges around everything and everyone on screen. Just look at the opening frame of the film, where it says "A Time Warner Communications..." etc, and look at the text. Skip into the film a few chapters where we see a fax printing out of a fax machine, and look at the jagged edges around the printed page, everything on Murtaugh's desk... The list of flaws is endless, because it goes on throughout the entire film. Did anyone actually watch this master before sending it off to the Blu-ray duplication factory? The biggest reason why I would consider upgrading my DVD library to Blu-ray is for film-like images and detail, and this is one title where the studio needs to mint a brand new master from the ground-up if we're ever to see a better presentation. I have two words for Warner Bros: Lowry Digital. See what they did for James Bond? Enough said. Incidentally, after watching the film, I did some searching online to find out if other's have complained about this problem. I found out the technical reason for this is that Warner simply took an existing 1080i master and put it through a process of "vertical filtering" to convert it to 1080p. They did the same thing with the first "Lethal Weapon" film, along with at least five other Blu-ray transfers created from 1080i masters, so I'd be cautious of which early Warner titles you pick up on Blu-ray.

For this initial wave of Blu-ray titles, Warner also decided to do nothing with the format's audio capabilities. Instead, we just get the same Dolby Digital 5.1 track with slightly more detail, but not enough of an improvement to really notice. Where's the Dolby TrueHD or uncompressed 5.1 PCM audio tracks? On top of that, where are the audio commentaries? Come on, "Lethal Weapon 2" is a modern classic, surely deserving an audio commentary with Richard Donner, Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Joe Pesci, etc. Instead, we get a French language track. Lame.

The extras are equally as unspectacular as the picture and sound. I just don't get how some films are treated to 2-3 re-releases over 10 years, yet the "Lethal Weapon" franchise goes by hugely overlooked in the Special Edition department.

Bottom-line: Don't buy it. I bought it, and I'm returning it. Hold out until Warner gets their act together, creates new 1080p masters from cleaner elements, and gives us a deluxe box set of all four films with new extras. They've proved they can do it with other films, so I'm guessing it's only a matter of time before Riggs & Murtaugh get their due respect on high-def disc.

The tone is a bit lighter, but the "lethal" action continues unabated and non-stop as two of L.A.P.D.'s finest go after a South African consulate, dirty up to his neck in drugs and hiding behind diplomatic immunity in "Lethal Weapon 2," directed by Richard Donner and once again starring Mel Gibson and Danny Glover. Still crazy, but no longer suicidal, Riggs (Gibson) continues to hunt down the bad guys with partner Roger Murtaugh (Glover), and this time around they find their lives in danger when they get too close to the underhanded dealings of South African Arjen "Aryan" Rudd (Joss Ackland) and his band of thugs. Along the way, they're assigned to baby-sit an informant in a money laundering racket, Leo Getz (Joe Pesci); and Riggs at last finds someone, Rika Van Den Haas (Patsy Kensit), who helps ease the pain of his wife's death, while also discovering who was responsible for the automobile accident that took her life. As he did with the first "Lethal Weapon," Donner keeps it all moving along at a brisk pace, though he allows the intensity level to drop somewhat this time while infusing more humor. There's some "Stooges" on hand, and a bit that finds Murtaugh the target of some office gags after the debut of a television commercial, starring his daughter, Rianne (Traci Wolfe), for a product that takes him by surprise, but the real laughs come courtesy of Pesci, who's upbeat, manic characterization of Getz becomes a real scene stealer. Though serious at the core, this movie is more of a joy ride than the first, though there are moments of true menace and apprehension, as well as a sobering resolution involving one of the featured characters. Performance wise, Gibson is as charismatic as ever, by now settling comfortably into Riggs' skin while further exploring the more intricate details of the character's personality. Glover, too, manages to take Murtaugh to the next level, leaving no doubt as to who this guy is and what he's about, from his dedication to the job, to his even more stringent dedication to his family. And, most importantly, these two really click as a team, and Donner knows just how to bring out the best in them. What really raises the bar in this second installment, however, is the addition of Pesci, who makes Leo Getz a truly memorable character. Inserting him into the mix was a real stroke of genius, and Donner wisely uses him just enough to effectively lighten the mood and counteract the drama. The supporting cast includes Darlene Love (Trish), Derrick O'Connor (Adolph), Steve Kahan (Capt. Murphy), Mark Rolston (Hans) and Jenette Goldstein (Officer Meagan Shapiro). With snappy dialogue, plenty of action and some good guys to root for, "Lethal Weapon 2" is a thoroughly entertaining sequel that more than does justice to the original. Donner knows his territory, and his stars know their stuff and how to deliver it, and that's a "lethal" combination any way you look at it. And what's even more gratifying, is knowing that they didn't stop here; after all the action of the first two, you know there's another one waiting for you. At this point, do not pass go, do not collect two hundred dollars; "Lethal Weapon 3" is available, and it's yours for the asking.

I am a fan of the "Lethal Weapon" series as well as DTS soundtracks. In fact, when I learned that this movie was to be released in DTS, I waited to make my purchase. However, after viewing the DVD I was left dissapointed by the sound quality it delivered. There are very few low frequency effects, and the rear speakers are often underutilized. Much of the dialogue is stationed in the center channel alone, and ADR processing is easily detected. It seems that the movie's musical score is the only sound element that uses available speakers appropriately. Perhaps, the fact that "Lethal Weapon 2" was not originally recorded in DTS has a great deal to do with the soundtrack's limitations. Regardless, I am not pleased with the quality Warner Brothers and DTS offeres with this title.

The summer of 1989 was loaded with blockbusters, yet there was only one movie that I really wanted to see more than any other. In a season that saw such blockbusters as a new Indiana Jones movie, the latest Star Trek picture and Timothy Dalton's second outing as 007, the movie that held the most excitement for me was LETHAL WEAPON 2. Not because of Mel Gibson or Danny Glover or a particular love of the original, but because the love interest came in the very lovely shape of the lead singer of one of my favorite 1980s bands (Eighth Wonder) Patsy Kensit.
Truth be told though, there's not much to Kensit's role here, she is there simply as window dressing in the part of a secretary at the South African consulate. The movie as a whole though is a great, fun ride and is easily my favorite of the franchise.
The plot of the movie involves drug smuggling that is being conducted by officials at the South African consulate. Back in the 1980s South Africa was largely an international pariah because of its policy of apartheid. This made it easy to target them as the villains and their position as diplomats provides them with the protective vbeil of diplomatic immunity. As lead villain Arjen Rudd (played wonderfully by British actor Joss Ackland) comments when confronting the Los Angeles police officers "you could not even give me a parking ticket."
Starting with a chase through the night streets of Los Angeles, the movie races from one action sequence to another rarely pausing for breath in what is a classic cop buddy movie. Both Gibson and Glover make a great team and the interplay between them provides for some really subtle humor.
Which brings us to Joe Pesci, whose humor is about as subtle as a sledgehammer in the role of witness Leo Getz - "Whatever you want Leo Getz - get it!?" Pesci is at times annoying and at other times loveable, but he is always funny. Obviously he was also a hit with the audience too as he would return in the third and fourth movie of the series.
As a bonus for Kensit fans like myself - in the scene where Leo is cleaning Riggs house you can hear Eighth Wonder's biggest hit "I'm not Scared" playing in the background. It's a shame they did not have Kensit's character survive until the end as they had originally planned, but I understand that her death leads Riggs to take the dramatic action that he does.
This is my favorite cop movie (alongside "Beverly Hills Cop" and an entertaining way to spend 114 minutes or 118 minutes if you go with the directors cut.
Scenes included in the directors cut includes Leo using numbers to remember a suspects address and Murtaugh getting some bad news from an auto-repair man after Riggs drives his new station wagon up against a guardrail. Pretty standard stuff that I felt did not add anything particularly.
The directors cut also comes with a making of featurette, cast and crew bios and a theatrical trailer. Here's hoping that one day soon Warner will put out an ultimate edition. Director Richard Donner has already done a great commentary track on the original Suoerman movie and a commentary track here would be welcome also.
Recommended.

First of all, I love this movie. The first two Leathal Weapon movies are so good. It is so much fun to watch the two very different main characters work together. The movie is a bit dated, but not much, and it is wonderful to see it again, I haven't seen it in over 15 years.
Now for the Blu-ray itself. I can't say that I am impressed at all. If I was to rate just the picture I would give it two stars. I use a 40' Sony KDL-40W2000, a Denon AVR-2803 and a PS3, such equipment isn't exactly high end. There are very clear evidence of the picture being encoded in 1080i (interlaced) and not progressive. There are so many times that I can clearly see empty line in between the lines in the picture. An example is the scene in the grocery store when Riggs meets miss van den Haas and they are standing at each end of the fruit stand. I could very clearly see lines in the price tags. Another example is the end credits sequence where the letters were very edgy. There are so many other example of this.
The sound, though, is quite good, for a late 80s movie. I thought, though, that the sound on the first Leathal Weapon on Blu-ray was a tad better.
So despite of the picture I will keep it, since I don't have it in any other format. But if you have the movie on DVD I would wait and hope for a better version to come out on Blu-ray.

Mel Gibson and Danny Glover are probably the best "buddy" film duo in action films. Their on screen chemistry lights up the screen and they are truly gifted actors to take these roles and elevate them to not only good action heroes, but good actors as well. Director Richard Donner is back in this second film, and the action starts out fast and furious with an incredible multi-car chase and never lets up. Gibson is as "stressed" as ever, although he seems to have channeled it better, until a key plot revelation about his wife's death turns him into a walking timebomb.
This sequel is harsher than the original, with a lot of carnage and much of the action towards the end borders on cruel retribution. A lot of the policemen bite the dust, without telling too much Riggs' newest love interest doesn't last too long, and Gibson meets Derrick O'Connor in a vicious showdown in which Mel doesn't come out too well.
However, this is what action movies are all about and the film is a blistering, adrenaline pumped winner. Joss Ackland is maliciously repugnant as the South African diplomat; Derrick O'Connor ranks up there with the nastiest of James Bond villains, and the irascible Joe Pesci is brilliant as the protected witness our boys are assigned to protect.
A top notch entry in the series, but be warned---this one isn't pretty.

The engaging chemistry of Mel Gibson (Martin Riggs) and Danny Glover (Roger Murtaugh) continues into LETHAL WEAPON 2 as they take on a South African drug kingpin, Arjen Rudd(Joss Ackland). He also happens to be a South African diplomat with immunity to any type of persecution. So, Riggs and Murtaugh harrass him and his henchmen, playing a lethal cat and mouse game of picking off each other from both sides. A key witness Leo Getz (Joe Pesci) stands in the middle of all the carnage and the carnage mounts. Practically everyone from Riggs' and Murtaugh's precinct (detectives, officers and what have you) are eliminated... even the female lead/love interest to Riggs-(Patty Kensit) is oft in the proceedings. It seems the only ones left alive are Riggs and Murtaugh (it was reported that Shane Black's original screenplay was to have Riggs killed at the end) to take on the South African drug cartell. Even with the body count, the film is very entertaining due to Gibson and Glover's characters, a witty script, and the direction of Richard Donner (SUPERMAN-THE MOVIE, THE OMEN) who seems to have a fond affection for the two characters since he's directed all four films. The film franchise probably "perfected" (not invented)the buddy cop genre (forerunners: SUPERCOPS, FREEBIE AND THE BEAN, RUNNING SCARED) and is the "yardstick" for others that haven't come close (i.e. TANGO AND CASH...?). Lastly as the final credits roll in LW2, George Harrison's great song CHEER DOWN plays. Perhaps because guitar god/legend Eric Clapton did part of the muscial score for the film, he got pal Harrison to contribute the song. The song sounds very much like a James Bond-type tune and perhaps was inspired by the nature of the film. When the film is shown on network televison, its too bad the song is always drowned out by programming or commercial announcements (notoriously and especially on TNT and TBS). On cable, DVD, and video, the song can be heard in its entirety.

This is a weaker sequel to Lethal Weapon (obviously) but although it has more action, more laughs, and possibly a better plot, it has Riggs having an unnecessary romance with Patsy Kensit (of all people) which I found contradicted everything you learned about Riggs in the original.

I love this movie. Just like the first Lethal Weapon, this one is just as funny. I am so glad that I have bought this, to add to my collection.

I have enjoyed Mel Gibson movies always with Mad Max being the best and Lethal Weapon as second.Years back I noticed society could not get enough of Mel Gibson,and now they would rather he dried up and was blown away forever.Very saddening!