Search - Lethal Weapon 4 [Widescreen] on DVD

MPAA Rating: R Content Advisory: Violence, Adult Situations, Adult Humor, Profanity, Sexual Situations Movie Release: 1998 DVD Release: 12/15/1998 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV Audio Tracks: English, French Subtitles: English, French SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 2 hrs 7 mins Studio: Warner Home Video Total Copies: 49 Genres: Action, Action Thriller, Action Comedy, Buddy Film See Also: Lethal Weapon 4 [Fullscreen]

Detectives Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson) and Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover) reteamed for their fourth foray together in this buddy-cop action-comedy series based on characters created by Shane Black. With the passage of years, Murtagh's daughter Rianne (Traci Wolfe) is now about to upgrade Murtagh to grandfather status, while Riggs' relationship with Internal Affairs officer Lorna Cole (Rene Russo) means he'll become a proud papa. Elsewhere on the family front, Chinese triad members in Los Angeles smuggle families from the mainland, but this is only one item on the criminal agenda of triad leader Wah Sing Ku (Jet Li), who executes balletic martial arts maneuvers with blinding speed (fight sequences were staged by Hong Kong director Corey Yuen). The film opens with fire (when Riggs and Murtaugh encounter a flame-thrower in a bulletproof suit) and travels an entertaining popcorn plot path to a frightening, watery climax (which we won't reveal here). In between, Riggs and Murtaugh tackle the troublesome triads with an assist from wickedly witty, sharp-edged newcomer Lee Butters (Chris Rock) and private detective Leo Getz (Joe Pesci), the character first seen as a mob accountant in the second film of this highly popular series. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide

Mel Gibson - Martin Riggs
Danny Glover - Roger Murtaugh
Joe Pesci - Leo Getz
Rene Russo - Lorna Cole
Chris Rock - Lee Butters

The Lethal Weapon films are at least consistent in one way -- their use of explosions, which almost define the shape of the story. This DVD expands things a little, though the presentation is overall somewhat of a letdown. The film is presented in an anamorphic transfer, maintaining the aspect ratio of 2.35:1. The image is relatively sharp and clear, but suffers from overenthusiasm in the mastering department. There is obvious edge enhancement, video compression, shimmer, and grain, while contrast seems overall a little off -- there are no solid blacks, and the image seems a little too bright throughout. The interior scenes still have good color balance, but exteriors have a sickly yellowish tone. While this may result from the persistent Los Angeles condition, it could easily have been corrected. The sound is good, but not spectacular. Mid-range in the music seems muddy, while the bass in music and effects has a distracting softness to it. Dialogue is relatively well separated. The 5.1 mix is fairly clean, but undistinguished -- there is environmental use of the surrounds, but not much directional effort. The French Dolby 5.1 track sounds muddy and has several rather bad examples in the dubbing department.
The DVD includes deleted and extended scenes from the first three movies, along with "Pure Lethal," a rather fluffy documentary covering the four films, again with outtakes and unused scenes. Main cast and producers are covered in a collection of interview snippets, and there are trailers for all four films. The majority of the extras are provided on the second side of the disc, rather than using a dual-layer format (and providing more room for the movie). Director Richard Donner and a pair of co-producers provide a commentary track. Donner is good to listen to, speaking throughout in an even, deep voice. Final verdict -- not so lethal, either in terms of the film or the DVD production. ~ Steven E. McDonald, All Movie Guide