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IMDbPro

Lethal Weapon 2

  • 1989
  • R
  • 1h 54m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
182K
YOUR RATING
Mel Gibson and Danny Glover in Lethal Weapon 2 (1989)
Trailer 2 for Lethal Weapon 2
Play trailer1:28
3 Videos
99+ Photos
ActionCrimeThriller

Riggs and Murtaugh are on the trail of South African diplomats who are using their immunity to engage in criminal activities.Riggs and Murtaugh are on the trail of South African diplomats who are using their immunity to engage in criminal activities.Riggs and Murtaugh are on the trail of South African diplomats who are using their immunity to engage in criminal activities.

  • Director
    • Richard Donner
  • Writers
    • Jeffrey Boam
    • Shane Black
    • Warren Murphy
  • Stars
    • Mel Gibson
    • Danny Glover
    • Joe Pesci
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    7.2/10
    182K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Richard Donner
    • Writers
      • Jeffrey Boam
      • Shane Black
      • Warren Murphy
    • Stars
      • Mel Gibson
      • Danny Glover
      • Joe Pesci
    • 231User reviews
    • 91Critic reviews
    • 70Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 1 win & 2 nominations total

    Videos3

    Lethal Weapon 2
    Trailer 1:28
    Watch Lethal Weapon 2
    Lethal Weapon 2
    Trailer 1:28
    Watch Lethal Weapon 2
    Lethal Weapon | Franchise Supercut
    Video 1:00
    Watch Lethal Weapon | Franchise Supercut

    Photos132

    Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, and Patsy Kensit in Lethal Weapon 2 (1989)
    Mel Gibson and Danny Glover in Lethal Weapon 2 (1989)
    Mel Gibson and Danny Glover in Lethal Weapon 2 (1989)
    Mel Gibson and Danny Glover in Lethal Weapon 2 (1989)
    Mel Gibson and Danny Glover in Lethal Weapon 2 (1989)
    Mel Gibson and Danny Glover in Lethal Weapon 2 (1989)
    Mel Gibson and Danny Glover in Lethal Weapon 2 (1989)
    Mel Gibson and Danny Glover in Lethal Weapon (1987)
    Mel Gibson and Danny Glover in Lethal Weapon 2 (1989)
    Mel Gibson and Danny Glover in Lethal Weapon 2 (1989)
    Lethal Weapon (1987)
    Mel Gibson and Danny Glover in Lethal Weapon (1987)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Mel Gibson
    Mel Gibson
    • Martin Riggs
    Danny Glover
    Danny Glover
    • Roger Murtaugh
    Joe Pesci
    Joe Pesci
    • Leo Getz
    Patsy Kensit
    Patsy Kensit
    • Rika Van Den Haas
    Joss Ackland
    Joss Ackland
    • Arjen Rudd
    Derrick O'Connor
    Derrick O'Connor
    • Pieter Vorstedt
    Darlene Love
    Darlene Love
    • Trish Murtaugh
    Traci Wolfe
    Traci Wolfe
    • Rianne Murtaugh
    Steve Kahan
    Steve Kahan
    • Captain Murphy
    Mark Rolston
    Mark Rolston
    • Hans
    Jenette Goldstein
    Jenette Goldstein
    • Meagan Shapiro
    Dean Norris
    Dean Norris
    • Tim Cavanaugh
    Juney Smith
    Juney Smith
    • Tom Wyler
    Nestor Serrano
    Nestor Serrano
    • Eddie Estaban
    Philip Suriano
    • Joseph Ragucci
    Grand L. Bush
    Grand L. Bush
    • Jerry Collins
    Tony Carreiro
    Tony Carreiro
    • Marcelli
    Damon Hines
    • Nick Murtaugh
    • Director
      • Richard Donner
    • Writers
      • Jeffrey Boam
      • Shane Black
      • Warren Murphy
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      During production, Richard Donner was shocked when Mel Gibson confided that he was drinking five pints of beer for breakfast. Despite his alcohol problems, Gibson was known for his professionalism and punctuality.
    • Goofs
      Arjen Rudd claims throughout the movie that he has diplomatic immunity. Rudd works for a consulate - not an embassy - and therefore would have consular immunity; this is similar to, but weaker than, diplomatic immunity (e.g., it generally does not provide immunity from arrest/prosecution).
    • Quotes

      [Rudd fires at Riggs, hitting him several times. Riggs falls, writhing in pain. Arjen's gun clicks empty. Roger aims at him]

      Roger Murtaugh: [shouting] DROP IT, ASSHOLE!

      Martin Riggs: [weakly] Rog...

      Arjen Rudd: [holds up his wallet] Diplomatic immunity.

      [Roger slowly rolls his head on his neck, takes aim, and fires - his bullet goes through Rudd's wallet, and then his head]

      Roger Murtaugh: It's *just been revoked*!

    • Crazy credits
      The Merrie Melodies theme is briefly heard during the opening sequence.
    • Alternate versions
      To receive a 15 certificate, the UK cinema version was cut by the BBFC. These cuts included:
      • Reduced violence in the scene where Murtaugh kills two thugs with a nail gun (a shot showing blood on a thug's head was shortened and another showing nails embedded in the other thug's chest was optically darkened).
      • Most of the sex scene between Riggs and his girlfriend was cut.
      • Riggs' vengeful killing of the villains who killed his girlfriend on the pier was entirely cut.
      • Riggs' repeated shooting of a villain during the final shootout was reduced.
      • Kicks to Riggs' face by villain in climax were reduced.
      Later video and DVD releases had some cuts waived but were raised to an 18, whilst retaining the edits of the pier killing and repeated shooting of a villain by Riggs. The cuts were fully waived in 2010 and the certificate downgraded to a 15. The uncut version is only available on Blu-Ray, while the DVD still has an 18 certificate but is missing the killing of the two thugs on the pier and of the guards on the container.
    • Connections
      Edited into Alias: The Box: Part 2 (2002)
    • Soundtracks
      Cheer Down
      Performed by George Harrison

      Produced by George Harrison and Jeff Lynne

      Courtesy of Dark Horse Records

      Music by George Harrison

      Lyrics by George Harrison and Tom Petty

    User reviews231

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    8/10
    On a par with the first.
    With the possible exception of Martin Rigg's mullet, which actually looks like it's been given a bit of a trim, everything about Lethal Weapon 2 is bigger than the first movie: the explosions are more explosive, the shoot-outs more shooty, the car crashes more crashy, the widdly guitar more widdly, and the warbling sax more warbly. As 80s action flicks go, this is definitely one of the best for spectacular vehicular chaos, ballistic mayhem, random acts of death and destruction, and tuneless music.

    Jeffrey Boam's script delivers on all counts, matching Shane Black's original in terms of wit, pathos, and excitement, and although it does introduce what would become one of the most irritating characters in cinematic history—fast talking money launderer Leo Getz (Joe Pesci)—at least Boam has the good sense to inflict a lot of pain and suffering on the guy in the process, Leo getting more than a few bruises as the story progresses.

    Seasoned Hollywood director Richard Donner handles proceedings well, balancing the light-hearted moments and the gritty action just right (a trick he seems to have forgotten come part 3), and with the benefit of a bigger budget than before, he gets to pull off some truly impressive action scenes, including the amazing destruction of an entire house on stilts.

    Part 2 also benefits immensely from a pair of memorable villains—South African diplomat Arjen Rudd, played by Joss Ackland, and his truly wicked henchman/assassin Pieter (Derrick O'Connor), and the welcome presence of the wooden but still very lovely Patsy Kensit, who very kindly strips off for a sex scene (the price we must pay for that pleasure is yet another Mel Gibson ass shot, but at least it's only a side view— not a full on crack shot like in the first film!).
    helpful•9
    1
    • BA_Harrison
    • Oct 1, 2013

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    FAQ10

    • Why were Riggs and Murtaugh and their comrades from the LAPD chasing Hans and his accomplices in the opening scene?
    • What is 'Lethal Weapon 2' about?
    • Is 'Lethal Weapon 2' based on a book?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 7, 1989 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Afrikaans
    • Also known as
      • Play Dirty
    • Filming locations
      • 7436 Mulholland Drive, Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles, California, USA(stilt house of Arjen 'Aryan' Rudd)
    • Production companies
      • Warner Bros.
      • Silver Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $28,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $147,253,986
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $20,388,800
      • Jul 9, 1989
    • Gross worldwide
      • $227,853,986
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 54 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

    Related news

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