Lethal Weapon 4 (1998)

Title: Lethal Weapon 4
Release Year: 1998
Director: Richard Donner
Genre: Action / Crime / Thriller
Starring: Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Joe Pesci, Rene Russo, Chris Rock, Jet Li

Plot Summary

Lethal Weapon 4 is the fourth installment in the highly successful Lethal Weapon franchise. This action-packed sequel continues the adventures of LAPD detectives Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson) and Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover), who find themselves in the middle of a complex and dangerous case involving illegal Chinese immigration, counterfeiting, and the Triads.

The film opens with Riggs and Murtaugh trying to stop a maniac in a flamethrower suit from destroying a city block. From there, the story escalates as they uncover a plot involving a powerful Chinese crime syndicate led by the ruthless Wah Sing Ku (played by Jet Li, in his American film debut). Wah Sing Ku is smuggling Chinese immigrants into the U.S. and using them as forced labor, while also trying to free his crime boss brother from a Chinese prison by printing counterfeit money.

Meanwhile, Riggs is adjusting to the news that his girlfriend Lorna (Rene Russo) is pregnant, and Murtaugh is coping with his daughter Rianne's secret marriage to young detective Lee Butters (Chris Rock), who also turns out to be the father of her unborn child.

With the help of their hyperactive former informant Leo Getz (Joe Pesci), the team dives deep into the underworld of organized crime. The stakes are high, and the action is explosive, with thrilling chases, intense shootouts, and martial arts battles—especially between Riggs and the deadly Wah Sing Ku.

Main Characters

• Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson) – A fearless and impulsive detective who is now starting to settle down with his partner Lorna and their expected child.

• Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover) – A veteran cop on the verge of retirement, struggling to keep his family safe while still chasing criminals.

• Leo Getz (Joe Pesci) – A comic relief character who was once a federal witness and now works as a private investigator.

• Lorna Cole (Rene Russo) – Riggs’ girlfriend and fellow cop, tough and intelligent.

• Lee Butters (Chris Rock) – A young detective hiding the fact that he married Murtaugh's daughter and is about to become a father.

• Wah Sing Ku (Jet Li) – A cold, deadly enforcer for the Triads, whose martial arts skills make him a formidable opponent.

Notable Aspects

• Jet Li’s American Debut: Jet Li was already a martial arts star in Asia, but this was his first Hollywood film. His performance as the silent and lethal villain was highly praised.

• Action and Humor: As with the other Lethal Weapon films, this sequel balances hard-hitting action with buddy-cop humor and strong character dynamics.

• Emotional Growth: Unlike earlier entries, this film explores more of the characters’ personal lives, such as parenthood and relationships, giving it an emotional edge.

Reception

Lethal Weapon 4 was a commercial success, grossing over $285 million worldwide. While reviews were mixed to positive, audiences appreciated the familiar chemistry between Gibson and Glover, the humor, and the intense action sequences.

Jet Li’s performance as a villain was particularly praised, and the film is often noted for its high-energy pacing and satisfying closure to the series (until talks of a fifth film began years later).

Conclusion

Lethal Weapon 4 wraps up the series (at least for the time being) with a bang—combining explosive action, martial arts, and heartfelt moments. It’s a thrilling ride for fans of the franchise and an entertaining buddy-cop film that still holds up decades later.