If a studio were going to release a 4K version of one of their classic movies, one would think they would release it for the 40th anniversary of the movie, but that isn't what Warner Bros. did with Lethal Weapon. This year is only the 38th anniversary of the film, yet the 4K film is out now for purchase. The movie, which has gone on to become a classic, has earned $120 million on a $15 million budget and spawned three sequels and a television series. Supposedly, a 4th film in the franchise is in development.
After the death of his wife, narcotics Sergeant Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson; Mad Max) begins acting erratically and talks of committing suicide. Not believing he really has a death wish, the captain instead pairs Riggs with Homicide Sergeant Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover; 2012) to investigate the death of Murtaugh's friend's daughter, who was a prostitute. What seems like a routine homicide suddenly becomes something more sinister, and Riggs and Murtaugh find themselves in danger.
Like every buddy cop movie, you need to start with actors who have terrific chemistry, and Gibson and Glover have that in spades. Their witty banter is timed perfectly, and there is no doubt that some of their dialogue was improvised. Because of them and director Richard Donner (1978 Superman), Lethal Weapon went on to become a beloved franchise with talks of a fourth film possibly in the works. The movie also saw a resurgence in Gary Busey's (Point Break) career, who found new life as a movie villain.
Shot on a $15 million budget, much of the effects had to be "faked," which typically doesn't bode well for a 4K upgrade, but Lethal Weapon has never looked better. The 2160p resolution with a 1.85:1 aspect ratio offers immense clarity to the video quality. The details are sharp and clean, and the color saturation is solid throughout. Perhaps the only thing that surpasses the video is the Dolby Atmos audio quality. Gunshots echo across the room, explosions start in one speaker only to end up in another, and dialogue is crisp, emanating primarily from the front speakers. The multilayered soundtrack sounds terrific without overpowering the ambient noise or the dialogue.
While previous DVD and Blu-ray releases included a number of extras, none of them appear on this 4K combo pack. Instead, the real attraction of Lethal Weapon 4K is the Director's Cut, which restores seven additional minutes long unavailable to fans.
The set offers two all-new bonus features:
- A Legacy of Inspiration: Remembering Dick Donner - Richard Donner's peers pay tribute to the late director, who passed away in 2021 at the age of 91.
- Partners in Action - Cast and crew revisit the production and reflect on the film's enduring influence on the buddy-cop genre.
"I'm too old for this..." - Sgt. Roger Murtaugh
Several of the same participants also discuss the lightning-in-a-bottle chemistry between the two lead actors in these new special features.
Fans of the original Lethal Weapon film, and the franchise as a whole, have been waiting patiently for the rerelease of the Director's cut, and there doesn't seem to be a better time to offer it than when the movie has been transferred to 4K. The video and audio quality are terrific, and the extras offer something new for people to enjoy.
Besides watching the comedy genius duo of Gibson and Glover, Lethal Weapon has so many quotable lines that you will find yourself walking around with them all popping into your head and secretly laughing to yourself. This 4K is definitely one worth owning for so many great reasons, so go out and buy one today.
Grade: A-
