LETHAL WEAPON 4

US, 1998, 111 minutes, Colour.
Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Joe Pesci, Renee Russo, Chris Rock, Jet Li.
Directed by Richard Donner.

Mel Gibson and Danny Glover have done this Riggs and Murtagh police buddy show so often that they are so at home with each other that much of the movie seems improvised banter shouted at the top of their lungs. There is lots and lots of shouting - including from Rene Russo outdoing Joe Pesci. A somewhat difficult to follow plot has Chinese Tongs smuggling families as slaves into the US which provides occasion for lots and lots of shoot first action and impossible car chases and stunts. There are some moments of quiet friendship which shows that the actors are capable of giving the film some of the humanity it is in dire need of. Disappointing - and loud.

1. The popularity of the series? Lasting over ten years? The appeal of the stories, the characters, their interplay, action show?

2. The Los Angeles settings, the harbour, homes, precincts? The ships?

3. The importance of the action, the special effects, the stunt work, the chases, the shoot-outs? The introduction of the traditions of Hong Kong martial arts films? East meets West?

4. The title, its reference to Murtaugh and Riggs?

5. The familiarity of the characters, the kinds of adventures – audiences comfortable with the characters and looking forward to seeing more of them?

6. The two and their experiences, the bonds together, shared dangers, saving each other’s life? Their ageing? Murtaugh and the prospect of being a grandfather? Riggs and the prospect of marrying, having a child? Their mellowing? Murtaugh and his relationship with his wife, concern about his children, their education, finances? Concern about the grandchild – and the discovery that Butters is the father of the child? Riggs and his relationship with Lorna, the prospect of marriage, her pregnancy, assisting at the childbirth, getting married?

7. The focus of the action, the harbour, the freighter, the smuggling of the Chinese migrants? Going on board, the crew, the fight? The immigrants and the deportation orders? Murtaugh and his offering to help the family, finding them in the lifeboat?

8. The investigations, the passengers murdered by the crew, the Chinatown boss, Uncle Benny, Wah Sing Ku?

9. Wah Sing Ku, his manner, violence, martial arts skills? His gang? With the immigrants, working for Uncle Benny? The attack on Murtaugh’s house, the imprisonment, the burning of the house? The narrow escape?

10. Murtaugh and Riggs, the pursuit of Wah Sing Ku? Butters and his place in the force, going along with them? Murtaugh learning about Butters and his being a prospective son-in-law?

11. The gang, their wanting to counterfeit money, the gang lords in China, trying to get money to pay for their freedom?

12. The battle, the detail, the confrontations, the pier, the crew, the gang, the death of Wah Sing Ku?

13. How well did the film develop its central characters, their repartee, sparking off each other?

14. The character of Butters, Chris Rock and his comic turns?

15. The familiarity with Leo Getz, his place in the force, with the men, his character, humour, assistance?

16. Lorna, long-suffering, her love for Riggs, pregnancy, giving birth, the marriage?

17. This kind of action show being typical American entertainment – and popular throughout the world?