Lethal Weapon finally makes its long awaited debut on 4K physical media from Warner-Discover Home Entertainment.
The Production: 4/5
Director Richard Donner may have been denied the Superman franchise by the Salkinds, but in 1987, as his follow-up to The Goonies and Ladyhawke, a screenplay by a young Shane Black came across his desk that really piqued his interest. That script was Lethal Weapon, which would go on to earn $120 million worldwide on a $15 million budget and spawn three sequels, all of which were directed by the late director.
A young girl appears to commit suicide by jumping from the balcony of her high-rise apartment. The autopsy reveals that she was actually poisoned, bringing homicide detective Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover), who discovers he has something of a connection to the case – the young girl was the daughter of his old Army buddy Michael Hunsaker (Tom Atkins). Meanwhile, narcotics detective Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson) is burned out and suicidal after losing his wife in a car accident months earlier. After a bust that almost goes completely sideways, Riggs is reassigned to Homicide and partnered with Murtaugh. The two detectives, who do not get along at first, start chipping away at the case and discover a major heroin smuggling operation run by General McAllister (Mitchell Ryan) and his head mercenary Joshua (Gary Busey).
What made the Lethal Weapon films a success was the instant chemistry between Glover and Gibson, something that does not come along very often in movies. As soon as the two are put together, comedic sparks fly in their banter between each other. Many films since have tried to replicate this chemistry, but none have come close, nearly redefining the buddy cop action genre. The series is also grounded by Murtaugh’s family, played by Darlene Love as his wife Trish, Traci Wolfe and Ebonie Smith as his daughters Rianne and Carrie, and Damon Hines as his son Nick. Especially in this first film in the series, the family dynamics are believable and bring a warmness to the film. Donner sets up the action set pieces rather brilliantly, slowly building them up to the big showdown in Hollywood. The final fight between Riggs and Joshua on Murtaugh’s lawn goes on a bit too long, but that is my only major complaint about the film. The score by Michael Kamen and Eric Clapton, with sax solos by David Sanborn, is a melding of instrumental rock, orchestral and jazz that fits the film like a glove.
Warner has included both the 1987 Theatrical Cut and the so-called Director’s Cut from 2000 (Richard Donner had stated that he did not approve the addition of the seven minutes of footage added in the Director’s Cut and was nothing more than a marketing ploy by the studio to sell more DVDs).
Video: 5/5
3D Rating: NA
Lethal Weapon was shot on 35mm Kodak film stock on Panavision Panaflex Gold cameras and completed on 35mm with some 70mm blowup engagements during its initial theatrical run with an intended aspect ratio of 1.85:1. Warner’s new 2160p HEVC encode retains the film’s 1.85:1 aspect ratio and adds HDR10 high dynamic range, placed on a BD100 disc. The result is a major improvement over any of the more recent Blu-ray releases of the film. It certainly looks like an action film from the 1980s (the sequels were much slicker), but fine detail is excellent, with ever pine needle visible in the shootout in the Christmas tree lot. Colors are vibrant and not oversaturated, again the best example being the shootout in the tree lot, with lush green Christmas trees that you wouldn’t see in most Los Angeles lots. Where this transfer really holds up is in black levels, which are deep and contain strong shadow detail. This film has never looked better.
Audio: 5/5
Default audio on both cuts is a nicely reimagined immersive mix that does its best to remain true to the original 2.0 matrix surround (included on the Theatrical Cut only in DTS-HD MA 2.0) and it limited release 70mm 6-track mix (which was likely a 4.1 mix in reality). Heights are implored sparingly, mostly used for extending the score, acoustics and atmospherics, and flyovers. Surrounds are not as active as they could be, but this is a film from the late 1980s when optical stereo tracks ruled the theater. LFE, though, does get quite a boost to help strengthen explosions, crashes, and gunshots. Dialogue is clear and understandable throughout.
Special Features: 2/5
Lethal Weapon continues Warner’s policy of single-disc 4K releases, leaving all of the previous bonus materials off this disc. Warner did use a BD100 disc for this release, but only uses 87 Gb for the film and two very short featurettes (totaling just over 13 minutes). Worse, those older bonus features aren’t available on the digital version, either, so you may want to hold on to any previous Blu-ray release you may have.
A Legacy of Inspiration: Remembering Dick Donner (1080p; 7:00): Lauren Schuler-Donner (his wife), Jenie Lew Tugend (associate producer), Shane Black, Traci Wolfe, Jackie Swanson (Amanda Hunsacker), and Danny Glover reflect on working with the director who passed away in 2021. Notably absent is Mel Gibson.
“I’m Too Old For This…”: A Chemistry That Became Iconic (1080p; 6:06): The same principals from the above piece reflect on the chemistry between Glover and Gibson. Once again, Gibson is absent.
Digital Copy: A Movies Anywhere code is included, and as of this review, the following retailers offer the film in the following formats when redeemed:
Movies Anywhere: Theatrical Cut – 4K Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos; Director’s Cut – 4K HDR10 and Dolby Digital+ 5.1.
Apple TV: Theatrical and Director’s Cut – 4K Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos (DC only available on Apple devices).
Fandango At Home: Theatrical and Director’s Cut – 4K Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos.
Prime Video: Theatrical Cut – 1080p and Dolby Digital+ 5.1; Director’s Cut – 1080p and Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo.
Overall: 4/5
Lethal Weapon has never looked or sounded better than it does on this new 4K release. The extras are a major disappointment, though.
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