The first part of the legendary thriller action movie Deadly Weapons (actors: unsurpassed Mel Gibson, little-known Danny Glover, Mitchell Ryan, Gary Busey, Tom Atkins), which was released in 1987, laid a solid foundation for the next three parts, which appeared in 1989, 1992 and 1998 respectively. All films from quadrology were created by almost the same team of like-minded people: director Richard Donner, producer Joel Silver and acting duet Mel Gibson and Danny Glauver.
Workmates
"Deadly weapon" (the actors completely agree with this statement) has the full right to be called a legend film, because, according to many leading filmmakers, it was this picture that largely determined the development of the "action" genre. It is known for certain that one of the cornerstones of the subgenre is the “buddy movie”, that is, a movie in which there are two friends, a partner connected by real friendship. In "Deadly Weapons" such partners are Australian Mel Gibson ("Mad Max") and the little-known actor Danny Glover. For Glover, participation in this criminal action movie is a real breakthrough in his creative career. For playing the role of Roger Murtaugh, the actor was awarded the Image Awards. In recent media interviews, Mel Gibson has denied the start of filming the next part of the movie "Deadly Weapons" (the actors allegedly already agreed to participate in the fifth episode), according to him, nobody will succeed in replacing the magnificent Danny Glover, and the charm of all four episodes rests solely on his person.
Old School in the best tradition
Despite the obvious secondary nature of the plot, the 1987 action movie Deadly Weapons, whose actors are listed above, achieved excellent results. It masterfully used all the key elements typical of a "police action movie", an experienced director Richard Donner effectively creates the tension of the entire plot action. A tough fight against criminal elements alternates with everyday, everyday scenes in which the viewer can appreciate the human qualities of the main characters. Actors Mel Gibson and Danny Glover expressively and convincingly demonstrate the complex process of grinding in completely dissimilar characters. After all, according to the idea of the creators, the character of Mel Gibson - the Los Angeles police officer Martin Riggs - is considered an inveterate psycho, definitely unbalanced. The hero was unable to cope with the consequences of the Vietnam War. His companions determine the calm, respectable and unflappable guardian of the law of the African American Roger Murtaugh performed by Danny Glover. With difficulty overcoming mistrust, warily and gradually, the characters reach mutual understanding, at the same time destroying the Joshua gang that trades in the drug trade.
Part two
After the resounding success of the first part, producer Joel Silver provided an opportunity for director-producer Richard Donner and all those who participated in the creation of the first Weapon to continue the story of the new misadventures of the brave cops from Los Angeles in 1989. "Deadly Weapon 2" (actors: the same Gibson and Glover plus Joe Pesci, Derrick O'Connor, Joss Ekland) is made in the same genre politics. Nevertheless, the authors did not go the proven way of creating a furious action movie with a dynamic action and exciting intrigue. All this, naturally, is continued, but the dialogues, distinguished in the first part by a darkly rude American humor, saturated with jargon, became more witty in the second part. One gets the impression that in the movie "Lethal Weapon 2" (the actors took this trend more than positively), an invisible shadow of mockery and undisguised irony floats. The main characters still catch drug dealers, which this time are the diplomats and ambassadors from South Africa.
Magic returns in 1992. Part 3
In the third part, the creators amazed the audience with amazing special effects, difficult to stage, because by that time Richard Donner had the necessary experience after the Superman project. “Deadly Weapon 3” (actors: the irreplaceable Glover, Gibson and Joe Pesci, as well as Stuart Wilson and Rene Russo) are not distinguished by original refinements in terms of the script. The partners still stand guard over the law, trying to get on the trail of an ex-policeman involved in the illegal sale of confiscated weapons. The style of storytelling is also full of rude and sharp jokes. The main characters, although they have already become alike, still tease and bicker with each other. Heroes fall into amazing binders, look incredibly lucky people, whose invulnerability and vitality are the very “deadly weapons”.
In 1998, everything was assembled. Part 4
The picture “Lethal Weapon 4”, whose actors are familiar to the viewer from the previous parts (except Jet Li), has all the advantages that the three previous episodes have. The return of Richard Donner played an important role. Antagonists change, but the heroes that the viewer likes are left behind. The project involved not only two main stars, but also performers of other roles: the captain of the police and Leo, the Murtaugh family. The next batch of sharp humor, salty phrases skillfully interwoven with spectacular action scenes awaits the beholder. The main characters are noticeably aged, but they have not lost their courage and dexterity. This time they have to fight with the Chinese drug dealers, among other things, trafficking in human beings.