Deadly Weapon 2 is the right sequel. Let’s get that out of the way in which proper off the bat. Richard Donner’s action-packed follow-up to his standard buddy cop comedy-drama, 1987’s Deadly Weapon, delivers the products by considerably upping the stakes, deepening the characters, and introducing new components that improve the pre-established method.
To that finish, LW2 simply sits alongside The Empire Strikes Again, The Godfather: Half II, Spider-Man 2, and The Darkish Knight as a sequel that lives as much as and surpasses the unique.
It’s not simply nice; it’s a blast. Deadly Weapon 2 is a rollercoaster of motion, humor, and coronary heart that can hold you on the sting of your seat.
Don’t imagine me? Then, learn on for a deep dive into what makes Deadly Weapon 2 essentially the most spectacular chapter within the Mel Gibson/Danny Glover franchise and a wide ranging movement image in its personal proper.
Characters
Deadly Weapon 2’s plot clings largely to method. LA cops Martin Riggs (Gibson) and Roger Murtaugh should stop a gaggle of South African diplomats from smuggling medicine into the nation. Easy. Nothing groundbreaking. The storyline successfully pushes us from Level A to Level B to Level C, thus permitting Donner and author Jeffrey Boam to dig additional into the characters.
In Deadly Weapon 2, character improvement takes heart stage. We delve deeper into Riggs’ tragic previous, gaining a greater understanding of his unpredictable nature. We additionally get to see extra of Murtaugh’s private life and witness the strengthening of his bond with Riggs within the face of numerous challenges. Actually, considered one of my favourite moments from any buddy cop movie is the bathroom bomb scene the place Riggs stays behind to save lots of his pal from sure loss of life:
The bathroom bomb scene is a testomony to the impeccable on-screen chemistry between Gibson and Glover. It’s a darkly humorous but heartfelt second that showcases Riggs’ unwavering loyalty to his companion. He’s like a loyal, albeit unpredictable, dog-you would possibly discover him irritating at instances, however you possibly can at all times rely on him when issues get powerful.
Uniquely, the roles are reversed within the third act after Rika van den Haas (Patsy Kensit) bites the mud. Riggs understandably goes berserk, and Murtaugh should determine whether or not to comply with his companion into the abyss. Reluctantly, he agrees, paving the way in which for the famed stilt home sequence:
One other vital ingredient of LW2, and all of the sequels, for that matter, is the way in which Donner hones in on Murtaugh’s household. They don’t play an infinite half within the story right here, however their temporary screentime helps us higher perceive Murtaugh’s pure reluctance to carry out death-defying leaps at his companion’s behest. He has one thing to reside for, even when his domesticated life usually proves thornier than his job:
Nonetheless, Donner’s most vital improve was the inclusion of Joe Pesci’s Leo Getz. Ostensibly functioning because the Curly to Riggs and Murtaugh’s Larry and Moe, Getz breathes contemporary life into the method and gives our heroes with one other technique of dispatching their fast-talking banter:
Pesci’s efficiency is outstanding. He lights up the display screen the second he seems and immediately propels Deadly Weapon 2 to a wholly completely different degree. Whereas his character doesn’t have a lot to do within the latter half of the image, Pesci leaves a mark and greater than holds his personal in opposition to Gibson and Glover:
Motion
Deadly Weapon comprises the very best motion scenes of the franchise — nothing tops Riggs chasing Mr. Joshua (Gary Busey) on foot down the freeway — however the sequel considerably ups the ante by way of spectacle. Donner units the tone with an thrilling automobile chase that begins the film completely:
Later, after assembly Leo, our boys take down a would-be murderer, resulting in this hilariously over-the-top sequence:
We get the compulsory second act automobile chase:
A nifty shootout at Riggs’ trailer:
And a bit involving Murtaugh and a nail gun:
Though the motion in LW2 might not prime the unique, it’s darker, edgier, and extra character-driven. When Riggs fights Pieter (Derrick O’Connor) in the course of the climactic third act, Donner doesn’t attempt to prime the long-lasting struggle with Mr. Joshua in Deadly Weapon. As an alternative, he keys in on the fad boiling inside Riggs and his revenge-fueled want for blood, leading to a a lot grittier confrontation:
Every little thing feels extra private on this go-round, which is what makes LW2 such a memorable follow-up.
Humor
The unique Deadly Weapon can finest be described as an motion drama with moments of levity. Whereas the final two chapters, Deadly Weapon 3 and 4, lean more durable on the comedy, typically to a painful diploma, Deadly Weapon 2 strikes the right stability. Furthermore, the sequel is aware of when to close up and play it straight.
That mentioned, LW2 is hilarious:
VILLAINS
Because the outdated adage goes, heroes are solely pretty much as good as their villains. LW2 understands this and ensures Riggs and Murtaugh’s second stint pushes them to their absolute breaking level. Because the ruthless Arjen Rudd, Joss Ackland delivers the very best villain you like to hate, second solely to Mr. Joshua. Bodily, he doesn’t pose a lot of a risk, however his slimy disposition and crackly supply of the road “Diplomatic immunity” make my pores and skin crawl.
Donner bathes Rudd in shadows, making certain that each line and wrinkle on the actor’s face carries extra malevolence:
Pieter is intriguing in the way in which he casually enacts ruthless violence. He at all times seems calm, if not mildly irritated. When he reveals to Riggs that he was the one who killed his spouse, his tone may be very matter-of-fact. Sorry, mate, these items occur in our line of labor:
Along with Rudd, Pieter commits extra atrocities in opposition to the LAPD than the villains within the different three footage mixed, making them, maybe, Riggs and Murtaugh’s best foils thus far.
Legacy
With Deadly Weapon 2, director Richard Donner had a near-impossible process to finish. Not solely did the sequel need to reside as much as its excellent predecessor, nevertheless it wanted to breathe contemporary life into the buddy cop method or danger coming throughout as a dull money seize. By some means, Donner made all of it work and produced an bold followup that hits more durable on an emotional and visceral degree and enhances virtually each ingredient of the franchise.
Every little thing in LW2 works proper right down to the gut-wrenching finale. Personally, I believe Riggs’ journey ought to have ended right here. As a lot as I really like Deadly Weapon 3 and 4, the finale of LW2 concluded Riggs’ character arc. Had he died, I wager we glance again on the sequel with much more esteem.
As is, the ending nonetheless satisfies and leaves us with a sense of hope — and that’s by no means a foul factor.
Deadly Weapon 2 is considered one of my all-time favourite movies, a high-octane sequel that also impresses 35 years later. I could also be outdated, however I’ll by no means be too outdated for this shit.
