Although the first "Lethal Weapon" film was a huge success, I only mildly enjoyed it. Although I liked the characters, this movie relied too much on huge explosions and stunts...to the detriment of the plot. But who am I to complain? The film was enjoyable AND made a ton of money. As soon as I turned on the DVD for "Lethal Weapon 2", I realized that it might just be MORE explosive, unrealistic and stunt-soaked....as the opening scene probably cost more to shoot than half a dozen entire movies! It had everything....exploding BMWs, a helicopter rescue, machine guns galore and more. As a result, I pretty much resigned myself to turning off my brain (once again) and accepting it for what it is....nothing more or less. Though, in hindsight, I had a MUCH harder time doing it with this film than the first.

During the course of this HUGE intro scene, the baddies manage to escape BUT they also did so without the million dollars in South African Kruggerands they had illegally brought into the USA (due to the boycot of the apartheid regime at that time). The big bad boss-man (Joss Ackland) is NOT happy...and he lets his lackey know this in no uncertain terms. As for the good guys, Riggs and Murtaugh (Mel Gibson and Danny Glover),they now know that there is some South African connection on the case. But instead of following up on this, the pair are instead assigned to protect a star witness, the ultra-annoying Leo Getz (Joe Pesci). So how does this all tie together? See the film.

So, is this any good? Well, yes and no. It all depends on you. If you want more explosions and insane stunts than you ever could imagine in a film, this one's for you. If you want a funnier film than "Lethal Weapon", then this one's for you. If you want a film that makes sense....well....keep looking. The film just isn't logical nor does it ever try to be--especially with GIANT South African hit squads (pretty much a mini-army) operating in Los Angeles with complete immunity! For me, that made watching the movie a bit of a chore after a while--especially when a squadron of attack helicopters hit Riggs' trailer with about 200,000 machine gun rounds and no one seemed to notice! But again, as I noted above, the first film in the franchise made a fortune...and this one managed to earn even more! Brainless or not, the filmmakers must have been laughing all the way to the bank with this one.

Coming from somebody who really enjoyed the first 'Lethal Weapon', while not considering it quite perfect, this is quite high praise. Although there are sequels that are as good as their predecessors is nearly better ('Godfather Part II', 'Terminator 2', 'Aliens') there are many others that don't measure up and some even disgracing them.

'Lethal Weapon 2', thank goodness, is not one of those films. But saying that it is almost as good as the first 'Lethal Weapon' is genuinely meant, even if it is not in the same league as the three sequels listed above that are almost as good and nearly better. 'Lethal Weapon 2' has its faults but the good things are many and very obvious to spot.

It is let down a little by a script that's at times inconsistent, with the tone sometimes forced and confused and like it's trying to do too much. While the action is mostly great, the helicopter scene is somewhat implausible, more so than most of the script in the first film.

Most of the performances are spot on, but two didn't really do it for me. One was Patsy Kensit, who is attractive but looks lost. The other is Joss Ackland's hammy villain who looks like he belongs in another film entirely. Not things that everybody is going to share but just personal opinion.

However, like 'Lethal Weapon', the way 'Lethal Weapon 2' is shot and designed screams slick and stylish while Richard Donner once again directs with an assured hand. The score is atmospheric and groovy.

Despite not finding all the script working, a lot of it does with some cracking, sometimes hilarious humour, tension and dark pathos. The story is tightly structured and plotted, with some great tension and always being fun. Loved the bathroom scene, one of the best and most unique on film.

Once again, the action is slick and bursts with excitement and tension, apart from one that suffers from excessive implausibility. It is very easy to see why the chalk and cheese chemistry of the polar opposite characters of Riggs and Murtaugh became so popular, very rarely in a buddy-cop film has this kind of chemistry been so entertaining and perfectly pitched.

Mel Gibson continues to excel in a performance as witty and intense has before. Danny Glover gives Murtaugh the right amount of spirit, subtlety and no-nonsense attitude. They are matched well by Joe Pesci, who is a motormouth delight, and Derrick O'Connor who gives much more of a sinister edge than Ackland (have noticed that in both films that the henchman has always been the more memorable and better played than the lead villain).

In summary, very well done and just as good. 7/10 Bethany Cox

Lethal Weapon 2 finds the LAPD's most reckless cops Mel Gibson and Danny Glover going after some drug dealers and finding they are covered by diplomatic immunity.

This was really a bit much to swallow. Back then in its last days before it finally fell, South Africa's white supremacist government was desperately trying to hold on to friends. I doubt very much that it would employ a Joss Ackland as a consul who uses their diplomatic immunity with impunity to allow him to run rackets. In fact right up to the end they were involved in a propaganda publicity offensive and this drug dealing would have truly counteracted that.

This film also introduces Joe Pesci to the Lethal Weapon regulars. He's a wire puller and fixer who's been skimming some loose change from his money laundering for the South Africans and has defected for his own health which gets seriously put in jeopardy. Patsy Kensit plays a secretary at the consulate who gets something going with Gibson that proves fatal.

Ackland because of the attention decides to declare war on the LAPD figuring they can't respond. Let's just say he pulls the diplomatic immunity card once too often.

Fans of the series should be happy.