Lethal Weapon 3 1992 Film Starring Danny Glover
Murtaugh and Riggs Struggle to Bring Down a Corrupt Former Cop
Sep 16, 2009
Roger Murtaugh is just a week away from retirement and is determined not to get himself killed. However, his reckless partner Martin Riggs is not about to let him go out without a bang, and after accidently setting off a bomb the pair are demoted to patrol officers.
Lethal Weapon 3's Plot and Characters
Martin Riggs and Roger Murtaugh (Mel Gibson and Danny Glover returning to their roles from the previous two Lethal Weapon films) are arguing their way through the last week of their partnership before Murtaugh retires. After being called to investigate a bomb, the two attempt to disarm it, Riggs cuts the wrong wire and the timer accelerates. The pair escape the building moments before it detonates destroying the building.
Their long suffering superior officer Captain Ed Murphy (Steve Kahan reprising his role from Lethal Weapon and Lethal Weapon 2) demotes the pair to patrol officers.
During their first patrol the pair foil an armoured car robbery but discover that the criminals were armed with armour piercing bullets that Murtaugh refers to as ‘Cop Killers’. The pair return to the station to interrogate a captured robbers but discover that he has been killed by a man they identify as former LAPD officer Jack Travis (Stuart Wilson). Travis was legendary because of his brutality and his corruption. The pair are eager to pursue him but are pushed to the sidelines by Internal Affairs officer Sergeant Lorna Cole (Rene Russo).
Leo Getz (Joe Pesci), now an estate agent, recognises Travis as someone he once did a favour for, and sets the two on his trail.
The problems for the pair escalate as it becomes obvious that Travis is filling the LA streets with armour piercing bullets capable of getting through a police officers’ protective body armour.
Second Sequel Falls Short of the First Two
Mel Gibson, Danny Glover and Richard Donner (director) return from the previous films. But unfortunately the magic of the first two is sadly lacking from the proceedings. As usual the chemistry and friendship between Riggs and Murtaugh is key, however, the story is essentially a retreading of familiar ground.
Wilson is a decent villain and knows how officers think, yet, he lacks the terrifying presence of Mr Joshua (Gary Busey) from Lethal Weapon or untouchable diplomat Arjen Rudd (Joss Ackland) from Lethal Weapon 2.
Pesci has been reduced to a background character, and the film would have really not have been any different if he had written out completely.
Lethal Weapon 3 boasts the action sequences and tongue-in-cheek comedy of its predecessors but there is nothing new on show. However, there are some truly touching moments, one of the most notable being when Riggs asks Murtaugh what he is supposed to do after his partner and best friend retires.
Rene Russo as the feisty internal affairs officer is also a joy to watch, and seems essentially to be a female version of Riggs. She also serves at the love interest for him. Regrettably this marks the beginning of the end of the franchise. Director and the returning cast are all obviously comfortable working with one another again but the story of corrupt officers turning into criminals just does not work as well as cops verses ex-mercenaries or untouchable diplomats.
Whilst not as good as the previous two, the charm and chemistry between Glover and Gibson is enough to carry this film. However this should have been where the Lethal Weapon Franchise ended.
8/10
Mel Gibson and Danny Glover are as entertaining as ever, but Lethal Weapon 3 is not a patch on the original or its sequel.
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