The Reel Rejects - LETHAL WEAPON 3 (1992) IS STILL A TON OF FUN!! MOVIE REVIEW!!!

Starting point is 00:00:00 you ready little joe little joe all right let's go all right guys are going to get into it with a countdown three two one all righty johnny boy of the movie lethal weapon three what did i think of lethal weapon three yeah man I thought this was a fun movie. I thought this was a fun movie. It doesn't have the same like clockwork magic that the first two have.

Starting point is 00:00:38 No. I agree with that. But it still has a lot of the personality that I think you want out of lethal weapon. Like the charm at the heart of it is still there. You know, Danny Glover and Mel Gibson bickering and, you know, being the odd couple and all that stuff and Riggs being insane and Murtaugh being too old for the shit. All that stuff is great.

Starting point is 00:00:57 And Renee Rousseau, I really know. enjoyed the addition of as like, yeah, this, I don't know, any internal affairs officer and anything is always like, oh, we don't like them, you know, because they don't trust us and blah, blah, blah, blah. Trying to get in our shit. Yeah, exactly. And so, like, I thought having her also just be, like, a really good match and foil for him and a romantic interest is like, oh, cool, maybe Riggs has, you know, finally met somebody

Starting point is 00:01:21 who in the future he could actually, like, I liked the setup of that. I thought that was very charming. And, like, Leo is really charming. so it's like this one felt more like an episode of a show you know it like a franchise shifts from feeling like oh yeah this is like a continuing you know movie experience to like okay I feel like I just checked in with an episode of you know lethal weapon it's kind of like how this was yeah I feel like yeah the first one obviously was

Starting point is 00:01:46 a very much an establishing thing of the franchise the first time they meet the second one definitely have that feel as well as far as like the next steps in their relationship plus the reveal of the fact that the villain of that one was the guy who ended up actually killing griggs's wife so there is that that element of this is a candidate of end in their partnership but yeah this one is feels like not run of the mill but it's just another day at the office you know we were going to sell the house we were going to retire but nah just kidding that's not going to happen and like oh we killed the accident we killed my friend my my son's friend and then i don't know if there's a lot even though all three of them have

Starting point is 00:02:26 have the sense of bickering. I felt like there are better partners in the second one, even though they have a obviously growing relationship over the course of the movies. Plus, I think this one had the weaker villain than the first two did. Yeah. It's like kind of there. The previous ones, I think, illustrated better how, like, yes, they are very much at odds, but, like, there's, like, a simpatico, like a drift compatibility that is just undeniable.

Starting point is 00:02:53 That, like, yeah, when they're in the zone together, they uniquely get shit done whereas here it yeah it feels more like they're just like an odd couple who happened to also both be cops yeah exactly I felt the chaos more yeah the villain it's like I like that guy's presence

Starting point is 00:03:08 like he felt very menacing but like you know he's just showing up and being evil and he's an ex-cop and it's weird because it's like the previous movie had all that stuff with like the South African apartheid where I was like this is a random thing to throw into the movie but okay like you know

Starting point is 00:03:25 take a stand let's go uh and this one you know wants to seemingly say something about i don't know gang violence in the line between criminals and cops and you know corruption and whatnot but it's just i don't know it's weird it's like as much as that thing with his son's friend is like is is a good dramatic beat's very sad it's very tragic um it feels like the rest of the theme that that whole you know plot thread was didn't quite get as well kind of explored as you might have hoped from one of the previous ones. It's weird. It's like, not that these are all

Starting point is 00:04:00 allegories or something like that, but I don't know. I felt like they had maybe a better grip, even in the last movie feeling like this whole like, oh, okay, again, South African apartheid, very specific choice. But at the same time, it felt like they really kind of, I don't know, rounded that out in a way

Starting point is 00:04:18 that suited the movie anyhow. That, like, felt well, like, complete by the end. and this not as much I mean it was cool to watch them you know destroy his development and things like that yeah you know I think like if you compare

Starting point is 00:04:33 the opening of the seek the second one to the first one I feel like though I'm sorry the second one to the third one like the way that's just immediately starts with a car chase they're already in the thick of it and there's just like this energy to it whereas this one the third one just felt kind of more goofy

Starting point is 00:04:49 this one felt like the homer what do they call it the homerification homerification of the character like the prologue in this movie is fun I enjoyed it however this was a completely avoidable situation that happens

Starting point is 00:05:06 because Riggs just can't help himself and like fine it's of the character in that way but also we just blew up a building that we didn't have to blow up like we didn't have to go in there and like you can remember why are you supposed to cut whereas like the car chase is like I get it

Starting point is 00:05:23 Like, okay, the situation is developing and it's getting more and more and more out of hand. Not like, we, we, it's literally don't start nothing. It ain't going to be nothing. Like, it's that. And so, like, that establishing tone is way more cartoon. It's like the other ones had a slightly greater, it's weird, because this movie doesn't even, like,

Starting point is 00:05:44 sacrifice the tone of the action. Like, the action still feels, like, kind of gritty and the stunts are tangible. But, like, that opening, note definitely sets the tone cartoonier for the movie as a whole. Yeah, plus I feel like the first one had that thing of obviously we're establishing them. They're the odd couple, seeing how they work together. We finally get on the same page at the end.

Starting point is 00:06:07 The second one still had that, but it also had this thing of like, okay, we are literally fighting racist and we got to, you know, get it together for that. and I think just something about the first two. Made it personal in an interesting way. Yeah, the first two have this great balance of not only making it personal, but having this good balance between the comedy and the drama and the plot

Starting point is 00:06:34 itself. I feel like the balance is a little off in this one. I thought they actually could have done a trope of this genre in, I know the guy who they're hunting down, whose name they say a million times, and it's alluding me now, you know,

Starting point is 00:06:50 the villain is an ex-cop and he just vanished off the beat one day and I don't know like they set up a lore around him but I almost feel like if they'd gone one level deeper and made it like oh this is Murta's old partner

Starting point is 00:07:04 or something like that like made it somebody really personal again then you know it's like any any you know deep installment once you get to three four or five you know like you're gonna start feeling episodic in some way or another but I don't know I feel like that could have been a way to make

Starting point is 00:07:20 they did that thing in the last movie where it was like oh actually uh you know your wife she was murdered and twist and i thought you know we could have you know we leave the door open for a choice like this to make it more personal to one of them or the other yeah you know i feel like the first the first sequel justified its own existence and this one i guess there is developments but i don't something about it does feels more tv like you were saying rather than pivotal chapters in these people in these guys' lives. I feel like my favorite scene, because I feel like

Starting point is 00:07:55 this one was lacking on the dramatic side, was the scene in the boat where he was drunk and he was trying to take the bottle away from him. Obviously, all the action stuff is great as well, but I miss that dramatic side of this franchise. I like seeing Denny Glover just being so vulnerable

Starting point is 00:08:12 and angry and sad and remorseful. And also, it was, I don't know, I have a mixed relationship. with the idea of like his son's response to it because on one hand you know it's nice to see his his son knowing his dad's intention and knowing that he did the right thing for the circumstances or did the best he could in the circumstances but i don't know maybe i would have liked more emotional complexities in that in that area also yeah yeah because i agree with you during the movie like

Starting point is 00:08:41 not having a moment where he has to break it to him i thought was kind of a lost dramatic opportunity and too like i like that the son's friend is involved. They don't do a ton of that like, oh, is his son going to get involved with the gang? Yeah, which is... It seems like they're going to lean that way in the beginning, but they don't. Yeah, and that's... Like, I'm of two minds about that, because part

Starting point is 00:09:02 of me is like, that could make this movie more interesting. Part of me is like, I like that they didn't have to do that because it's such a trope that, like, you know, for his kid to be aware of this reality, to have a friend involved, but who isn't actually... Who's still, like, clearly, like, a good kid and who still, like, has a good

Starting point is 00:09:18 relationship with his dad, it seems like, and, like, all that stuff like that's fine with me but it does seem like they kind of slighted just various opportunities to make that more interesting you would have made both of those the thing both the villain in that the friend killing more palpable or make it feel more

Starting point is 00:09:33 important is if obviously we can't change history can't do things in retrospect but if that friend and that cop were established in the first two movies and then we see them like kind of flip in this movie yeah yeah I don't because that's the thing is they're good at keeping threads going across this

Starting point is 00:09:50 in some compatible, like the stuff with his daughter is very fun. In fact, she's out here, she's still trying to act, and she's, you know, and they find a new way to make her being an actor sort of a funny gag, because of that whole thing where he tackles the director and, you know, forces him to take her back.

Starting point is 00:10:05 Belize him back into her putting on the film. Yeah, it was like really fun and wacky. Like, you know, this one, I feel like all of these ride a level of suspension of disbelief in terms of like they're doing shit that is not ethical for, like, actual police work. But we love it because it's fun and it's what you wish you could do in reality.

Starting point is 00:10:23 And this one has the most sort of like ask in terms of like, they're doing all sorts of stuff where I'm like, I don't know if I fully, I like, I like, I like, I like, I'm like, I don't know if I'd like you. I like, I like, maybe calm down when you're harassing this guy for Jaywalking or something like that. Like it's funny. It's fun. I'm not saying like, I'm upset about it. But like, you know, moments, I had more moments in this movie where I was like, I don't know if I'd actually be cool if I saw this in public. Yeah. Y'all are doing the most right now.

Starting point is 00:10:49 We don't need to. But anyway, y'all, it looks like we have at least a couple of questions here from the patrons. Let's do it. So let's get into it. Let's start with Jay Rustin. Jay Rustin question, was this movie funny there? I don't know what that means. Was it a funny movie? It was funny.

Starting point is 00:11:14 I think it was a funny movie. I think this one was doing, I think, maybe a little bit more. funny. There were a lot of, you know, still a lot of word plays and things like that and, you know, and part of the fun of Riggs and Murta is like that there were ballbusters for each other. So I would say this is a funny movie.

Starting point is 00:11:32 Yeah, I would say. I mean, the opening was hilarious. Yeah, I was like, ridiculous, completely avoidable. And I'm hilarious on the less. And I do, it's, like, it's a good encapsulation in the movie because I'm like, I think this is really funny, but it's also just so weird that they chose this, because, like,

Starting point is 00:11:48 part of you is going, okay. my brain says that he's so good that he should find the right wire anyway anyway but i think they might want to subvert that expectation and have it be the wrong wire and i like like i i find it in the moment very amusing that they subverted the expectation but in doing so i'm like wait a minute wait hold on also there's no way they got that that fast yeah i know that was insane like that thing was rocketing down and i'm like how many floors up were you uh i don't know yeah yeah it was it was funny It was funny. Not my favorite of the franchise, but it was funny. Thanks, Jay Russian.

Starting point is 00:12:24 Thank you, Brad. All right, Jaden Rhodes, lethal weapon three, and thank you for chiming in. This is probably the most forgettable of the franchise for me. I'm just going to let the, I'm just remember going, I just remember going, it was no, sorry, I'm having a meltdown. I get the syntax now. I just remember going, it was nowhere near as good as part two, but still. a fun time. Yeah, I would 100% agree

Starting point is 00:12:54 with your subway take right now. Yeah, it's like, there's still enough that if you like this franchise, like, hey, I'm happy to have another lethal weapon and if we're doing a marathon, I'll throw it on, why not? You know, it'll be a good time. But yeah, it's just, it's

Starting point is 00:13:10 not as inspired as the first two. Yeah, this is like the Iron Man 2 of the lethal weapon movies. Yeah. My board. My board. My board. but uh but but yeah rene rousseau we love to see

Starting point is 00:13:23 it's rene rousseau right i get i get her confused with the other one who i accidentally called her not miranda rickson i'm gonna look up the rotten tomatoes i don't remember if we did the ron tomatoes i don't think we did all right all right Aaron what do we got

Starting point is 00:13:39 what do we got yes it is ren russo is lorne cole there we go all right the weapon rotten tomatoes what are we got what we got so for the first one we'll do it okay all right ready first movie what do you what do you think ooh ooh oh that's a tricky one uh 91 critics okay

Starting point is 00:14:05 and 99 audience 81 critics damn 86 audience wow I thought this was a universally loved movie I must brush up Okay Lethal weapon two Lethal weapon two All right fine 81 was the first movie

Starting point is 00:14:29 Geez 80 I'm gonna go 76 76 76 for critics I'm gonna start low balling now

Starting point is 00:14:39 82 audience What did you say for for critics 76 26. Dang, so close. We flipped that. 82 for critics. Wow, critics like a little more than the first movie.

Starting point is 00:14:53 78 for audiences. Wow. Audiences did not like it quite as much. All right. Now, to the titular movie reaction, what do you think this one got? These are weapon three? 110%. I'm going to say this one got 68 from critics.

Starting point is 00:15:14 Okay. And I'm going to say that audiences gave it a 75. So for critics, it is... Funny enough, this is the longest of the franchise so far. And it is a 60 flat. Okay. And audiences gave it a 61. Wow.

Starting point is 00:15:30 Okay. So, you know, people are not as fun of this one as the first two. And, you know, it still has some good qualities. But, yeah, for sure, something lacking in this one that the first two had. And I'm hoping the fourth one brings some of that pizzazz back. Yeah. Yeah, absolutely. They apparently blew up that building for real, though.

Starting point is 00:15:50 Damn, I could tell. That was impressive. But, yeah, I guess they did it, like, actually for this movie and not as, like, stock footage or something. That is nuts. Golly. And, yeah, we got some hockey in here, too. It was nice to see them out on the ice. Yeah, that was a fun little sequence of the film.

Starting point is 00:16:07 You know, so, yeah, a lot of fun moments and stuff. And we love Joe Pesci in this house. We love Joe Pesci. And hey. You know, Richard Donner knows how to direct a movie. Yeah? Very punchy still. So how could you not love it?

Starting point is 00:16:22 How could you not? Well, that'll be it for us today. Guys, Johnny, have any final thoughts before you get out of here? I'm too... I'm the right age for this shit. So bring on part four. All right. Well, with that, we love you guys.

Starting point is 00:16:37 And more saxophone. More saxophone. More sax, more guitar. All the things, more Joe Pesci. Bring it on, baby. Let's see in part four. Duses.

The Reel Rejects - LETHAL WEAPON 3 (1992) IS STILL A TON OF FUN!! MOVIE REVIEW!!!

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