Review of Lethal Weapon: Director`s Cut

Introduction

When the Director`s cuts of the first three Lethal Weapon films were announced, I paid little attention. After all, the added scenes advertised were all available as deleted scenes on Lethal Weapon 4. Otherwise the discs were identical in content. However, on the day of release, I was able to take a look at the cases and saw something that piqued my interest, the words Dual Layer. The original films were released as single layer single sided discs. Tempted by the promise of better picture quality and three trade-ins later, here is what I found.

I have always been fond of the Lethal Weapon series, combining action and comedy and thrills in a way that always keeps me on the edge of my seat. Lethal Weapon, the first in the series first introduced us to the characters of Riggs and Murtaugh. Two mismatched cops thrown into the deep end against ruthless criminals. An old friend of Murtaugh`s comes to him asking for help in solving the murder of his daughter. This murder masks a deeper racket of ex-military types turned drug dealers. Against his will, Murtaugh is partnered by Riggs, a cop who`s been on the verge of suicide since his wife died. What follows is a non-stop thrill ride, as the action gets more intense.

Video

The picture is an anamorphic 1.85:1 transfer, and as you would expect given the dual-layer format is a remarkable improvement over the previous disc. Gone is any instance of grain. The picture is well defined and the image sharp. The colours are strong and the improvement over the original disc easily apparent. The action is well represented on screen, with Richard Donner`s direction brisk and exciting, and he sets the standard here for all the sequels.

Audio

The sound is identical to the previous disc, a DD 5.1 transfer in English, French and Italian. This is the way all action movies should sound. You have here the trademark Michael Kamen and Eric Clapton soundtrack. Just as the James Bond films are made by the James Bond theme, so the Lethal Weapon films are instantly recognisable by their music.

Features

Extras, what extras? You get a static cast list, and the menus have been spruced up for this release with a little animation. You get a nice silvery snapper case. There`s nothing else though.

Conclusion

What really makes the Lethal Weapon movies are the characters, and the pattern is set in the first of the films. Mel Gibson has built his career on playing characters tinged with mania; here he plays the role that made him a bankable megastar. Danny Glover is put-upon as Murtaugh, the family man who`s trying to survive till retirement, despite all that Riggs does to put him into an early grave. The dialogue and interaction between these characters is always fresh and spontaneous, almost as if it was improvised. The bad guys here are Mitchell Ryan as General McAllister, a role that is pretty much by the numbers and aiding him is a slim Gary Busey as Mr Joshua, a far more memorable character. This is the film where many of the Lethal Weapon family are introduced, including the police Psychologist and Captain Murphy as well as Murtaugh`s family.

This film sets the pattern for its sequels but is played less for laughs, resulting in a grittier edge and more emotional resonance for its characters. This had to be contrived in the sequels and not always as successfully. The added scenes, as I mentioned can all be seen on the Lethal Weapon 4 disc, but are seamlessly restored into this film. The story isn`t altered one iota, the pace of the film isn`t changed and no plot holes are filled. What you get is more exposition establishing the characters. None of it is out of place and all of it welcome. One scene in particular sticks in mind, where Riggs calmly walks into a schoolyard peppered with a snipers fire. Without batting an eyelid, he deals with the sniper by shooting him accurately from great distance with his 9mm automatic. You can understand that this would seem far-fetched in this movie alone, but taken into context with the 4 film series it becomes credible. This film has had more scenes restored to it and remains as enjoyable as before.

This is a great movie given the treatment it deserves. The picture is crystal clear, with all the thrills and spills in graphic clarity. The magic relationship that starts between Riggs and Murtaugh is showcased here in all its splendour. This is the definitive version.