Starring:
Mel Gibson … Sergeant Martin Riggs
Danny Glover … Sergeant Roger Murtaugh
Gary Busey … Mr. Joshua
Mitchell Ryan … General Peter McAllister
Tom Atkins … Michael Hunsaker
Darlene Love … Trish Murtaugh
Traci Wolfe … Rianne Murtaugh
Jackie Swanson … Amanda Hunsaker
Damon Hines … Nick Murtaugh
Ebonie Smith … Carrie Murtaugh
Bill Kalmenson … Beat Cop
Lycia Naff … Dixie
Synopsis from IMDb: Los Angeles police sergeant Roger Murtaugh, who has just turned 50 years old, is assigned to investigate the death of Amanda Hunsaker, a prostitute who is one of the daughters of bank president Michael Hunsaker, a friend whom Roger has known since they were in the Vietnam War together, but Roger hasn’t seen Michael in 12 years. Beginning with this investigation, Roger is assigned a new partner Sergeant Martin Riggs, who has been suicidal ever since his wife Victoria “Vicky” Lynn Riggs died in a car crash in 1984. Riggs and Murtaugh’s investigation of Amanda’s death reveals that she was murdered. Upon hearing of this, Michael tells Murtaugh that he would like for whoever is behind Amanda’s murder to end up dead, like Amanda. Riggs and Murtaugh’s investigation continues and it makes them the targets of Shadow Company, a group of former Vietnam War era mercenaries who now bring heroin into the Los Angeles County region. Shadow Company’s leader, General Peter McAllister, and his right hand man, Mr. Joshua, want Riggs and Murtaugh dead, no matter what the cost
Reviewers: VS, PIT #1, PIT #2, PIT #3
VS – 1.75 pointed ears
Rated “R” when it first came out it is pretty tame by today’s standards. Use of the “F”-bomb, drug use and some nudity this movie may not be suitable for your younger viewers. The story, plot, and action still holds up 22 years later. However, my kids were momentarily taken right out of the movie when Sgt Murtaugh uses his bag phone. The backstory is a little dated as well. When the characters mentioned “the war”, the PITs asked if they meant Iraq. This is not the first buddy cop movie, but it is one of the best.
PIT #1 – 2 pointed ears
This movie did not need the items added to pad it out for an ‘R’ rating. The language and nudity were unnecessary.
PIT #2 – 1.9 pointed ears
Riggs’ fighting style rocks. That action sequence made the movie worthwhile. I’d like to be trained in the crazy, ninja martial arts that Riggs knows.
PIT #3 – 1.5 pointed ears
I did not like the swearing and lack of clothing in the opening sequence. The story about taking down drug dealers was pretty good.
7.15 pointed ears out of 8
With a few simple edits this film could’ve been more family friendly. However, this is a nice mindless action flick. Enjoyable enough if this genre is to your liking. Only you can determine appropriate levels of language and violence for your audience.
Vulcan Stev's Database 