Summary

• Lethal Weapon 5 may actually happen and hopefully, its Rotten Tomatoes rating will be better than the third and fourth entries.
• The chemistry between Danny Glover and Mel Gibson carried even the weakest sequels.
• Lethal Weapon 5 can finish the franchise on a stronger note than the lackluster fourth entry.

It looks like Richard Donner movie had great action and a witty script by Shane Black, but it was the chemistry between Danny Glover and Mel Gibson that truly made it sing. This is what got me through some of the weaker outings too.

Lethal Weapon evolved from the grittiness of the original to the borderline sitcom that was the fourth film, which arrived in 1998. For a time, it appeared Lethal Weapon 4 closed the book on Riggs and Murtaugh; if I recall correctly, that outing's credits literally finish on a book closing. Donner later announced his intention to make a final installment, but when he ed in 2021, I never thought it would happen. Gibson has kept the project going in the years since, and in a recent update on the Inspire Me podcast reaffirmed his plans to star and direct.

Lethal Weapon 3 & 4 Were Both Rotten On Rotten Tomatoes

Lethal Weapon 5 must reverse the franchise's downward critical trajectory

Plot details for the Lethal Weapon 5 are being kept vague, and it's unknown if any actors besides Gibson and Glover will return. I mentioned earlier that Gibson and Glover's immense chemistry held together the lesser sequels, and that's one reason I'm still excited for one last ride. However, both Lethal Weapon 3 and 4 have "Rotten" ratings on Rotten Tomatoes, and suffer from patchy stories and an overreliance on silly hijinks. Delightful as Joe Pesci was in the second film, his appearances in the final two felt crowbarred in.

It's telling that Lethal Weapons 1 and 2 are both rated "Fresh," since Shane Black had a hand in penning them. Granted, Black's bleak screenplay for the second movie was heavily reworked, but his fingerprints are still on the final product. Putting aside the humor and the action of the first two movies, Black has a gift for fleshing out his heroes while working in compelling mystery stories. The second half of the Lethal Weapon saga became too focused on spectacle, and while Rene Russo was a welcome addition, the sequels struggled to service so many characters.

Mel Gibson and Danny Glover also shared a scene in Richard Donner's 1994 comedy Maverick.

For all their flaws, I can find plenty to enjoy in the later sequels. The chemistry between Gibson and Glover never faltered, and Riggs and Murtaugh are an incredible double act. It might even be poignant to have a Lethal Weapon 5 where they really are "too old for s***" but still rise to the occasion.

Can Lethal Weapon 5 Be A Return To Form For The Franchise?

Lethal Weapon wouldn't be the only series with a belated sequel that rips

Lethal Weapon 4 proved to be a pleasant if slightly bland finale, but Lethal Weapon 5 has the opportunity to go back to the roots of the series.

Lethal Weapon 4 is often considered the weakest of the bunch, and that's an assessment I agree with. It's too long, the plot feels like a total afterthought and Chris Rock's presence is distracting. Even then, Jet Li is a great villain, and the final battle between him and the leads is one of the franchise's best setpieces. This sequel proved a pleasant if bland finale, but Lethal Weapon 5 has the opportunity to go back to the roots of the series.

Maybe the world doesn't need another sequel, but I'm quietly hopeful it will work. Richard Donner clearly felt the concept had potential, and it wouldn't be the first time a long-dormant series delivered an awesome belated sequel. Mad Max went quiet for three decades before Fury Road brought it roaring back to life, while Top Gun: Maverick rocked. Perhaps more importantly for Lethal Weapon 5's chances of happening, early word on Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F is strong.

Gibson is also a great director (Braveheart, Apocalypto), and he and Glover will be honoring their late friend Donner by bringing the property to a dignified finish. Selfishly, I just want to see Riggs and Murtaugh back together one last time, and if Lethal Weapon 5 jettisons the things that undermined the third and fourth chapters, then all the better!

The first four Lethal Weapons are available to rent or purchase from iTunes, Amazon Video, Google Play and YouTube.

Source: Inspire Me Podcast, Rotten Tomatoes