Lethal Weapon 2 (1989)
Richard Donner’s sequel to his own 1987 hit movie, Lethal Weapon, is a much deeper cut in terms of characterization. We uncover more about the two leads, as they face a foe that proves to have influenced their lives beyond the current criminal case.
Our heroes, Riggs (Mel Gibson) and Murtaugh (Danny Glover) have gone up against a group of South African diplomats who are deeply involved in organized, violent crime. As the pair close in on the ring-leader, Arjen Rudd (Joss Ackland), Riggs becomes romantically involved with Rudd’s assistant, Rika Van Den Haas (Patsy Kensit). That is, until he discovers her dead body and is devastated by the news that not only have the criminals killed his new girlfriend (and a number of police colleagues), but they have been trying to kill Riggs for a while and were responsible for the death of his wife several years prior.
The drama builds to an inevitable showdown amid darkened shipping equipment, during which Riggs is cut down in a hail of bullets. This proves to be a step too far for Murtaugh – normally renowned for following the rules – who decides to personally revoke Rudd’s diplomatic immunity with his service revolver.
