Lethal Weapon 2 (1989)

Directed by: Richard Donner | 114 minutes | action | Actors: Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Joe Pesci, Joss Ackland, Derrick O’Connor, Patsy Kensit, Darlene Love, Traci Wolfe, Steve Kahan, Mark Rolston, Jenette Goldstein, Dean Norris, Juney Smith, Nestor Serrano, Philip Suriano, Grand L. Bush, Tony Carreiro, Damon Hines, Ebonie Smith, Allan Dean Moore, Jack McGee, Mary Ellen Trainor

This second film in the ‘Lethal Weapon’ series is hardly inferior to part one. The interaction between the manic, reckless Riggs (Mel Gibson) and the cautious, calm Murtaugh (Danny Glover) is like a train. The pair feel each other perfectly and the bond that prevails between the two men is excellently displayed. There is no mention of the wear and tear in this formula in the later parts. The humor is stepped up a notch compared to the first part and that is only beneficial in this case. Because despite the witticisms, the film is quite grim and at times brutal. The screenplay by Jeffrey Boam manages to both retain the strengths of the first part and add new elements, of which Joe Pesci as the hyperactive Leo Getz is the most important. This ever-rattling accountant has laundered millions in drug money and wants to be in the witness protection program. Although Riggs and Murtaugh are annoyed by him, they also find him amusing and because he knows a thing or two about the case they are dealing with, they take him in tow. It produces nice moments à la ‘The Three Stooges’ (which is also referred to in part 3 in particular) and Pesci gets the laughs on his hand with his “okay, okay, okay” and “whatever you want, Leo gets”.

Where in the first part especially Mr. Joshua (Gary Busey) impressed as a villain, some equally memorable bad guys have come out for this part. A pair of South African diplomats, who are not only racist killers, but also drug dealers and smugglers, keep LAPD agents busy. Especially if the scum also personally targets the police in ruthless acts of revenge. And sometimes quite inventive: without wanting to reveal too much, the bomb in the toilet is brilliant and gives Riggs and Murtaugh another chance to prove their friendship. The leader of the bad guys is the inviolable diplomat Arjen Rudd, played bloodcurdling by Briton Joss Ackland. His right-hand man is the icy Pieter Vorstedt (Derrick O’Connor), who is a worthy opponent for Riggs when it comes to fighting. The villains’ wickedness is very memorable, which also takes ‘Lethal Weapon 2′ to a higher level. Ackland and O’Connor are more than the standard “baddie” in an action movie. Incidentally, the anti-Apartheid message that the film conveys, a clear political statement is the time when the white minority was still in charge in South Africa.

The action, explosions and chases are expertly directed by Richard Donner, who manages to keep the balance between the different types of scenes, so that the attention is always fully focused. As in the other installments, Murtaugh’s family also plays a part in this film, and Riggs’ escapades with the lovable Rika van den Haas (Patsy Kensit) are a welcome diversion from all the action. Why is ‘Lethal Weapon 2’ so little mentioned when movie buffs debate which sequels are just as good or better than the original? This should really be included in the list.