Lethal Weapon 4 is the final chapter (at least for now) of one of the most iconic buddy-cop franchises in cinema history. Released in 1998 and directed by Richard Donner, the film adds new characters, heavier emotional stakes, and martial-arts-driven action to the familiar Riggs & Murtaugh formula.
Detailed Summary
Opening Chaos: Smugglers, Explosions, and Classic Riggs
The movie opens exactly how fans expect: Riggs and Murtaugh failing spectacularly to defuse a bomb on a Los Angeles street. The explosion sets the tone—these guys are older, slower, and still wildly reckless. This scene also establishes one of the film’s recurring themes: they are too old for this… but not ready to stop.
New Lives, New Responsibilities
Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson) is now in a serious relationship with Lorna Cole (Rene Russo), who is pregnant. Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover) is facing forced retirement due to his age, while also becoming a grandfather. These personal milestones give the film a more reflective tone than earlier entries.
Enter the Triads
The main conflict emerges with the introduction of Chinese Triad gangs involved in human smuggling operations. Immigrants are being trafficked into the U.S. using forged money printed on stolen plates from the U.S. Mint.
This plot brings Riggs and Murtaugh into contact with Uncle Benny, a well-connected Triad member who presents himself as friendly and harmless—but is anything but.
Wah Sing Ku: The Real Threat
The true villain is Wah Sing Ku (Jet Li), Uncle Benny’s enforcer. Ku is cold, silent, and lethally efficient. Unlike previous villains, he doesn’t taunt or monologue—he simply kills.
His hand-to-hand combat skills immediately overwhelm Riggs, signaling a major escalation in threat level. For the first time in the series, Riggs is physically outmatched.
New Partners: Lee Butters and Getz Returns
Chris Rock joins the franchise as Detective Lee Butters, a fast-talking internal affairs cop who initially clashes with Riggs and Murtaugh but eventually earns his place in the team.
Joe Pesci returns as Leo Getz, now slightly more competent but still endlessly annoying—in the best possible way.
Betrayals and Rising Stakes
As the investigation deepens, the team uncovers the full scope of the smuggling ring and the counterfeit operation. When Uncle Benny’s true intentions are revealed, alliances shatter, and violence escalates.
The emotional stakes increase when characters close to the team are threatened, reinforcing the idea that this is no longer just a job—it’s personal.
Movie Ending
The final act takes place at a construction site near the water, where Wah Sing Ku plans to escape after tying up loose ends. Riggs and Murtaugh confront Ku and Uncle Benny in a last-ditch effort to stop the operation.
Uncle Benny is killed during the confrontation, but the real showdown is between Riggs and Wah Sing Ku. The fight is brutal, fast, and intensely physical—one of the most memorable action sequences in the entire franchise. Ku nearly kills Riggs, pushing him to his absolute limit.
Murtaugh joins the fight, and together they barely manage to overpower Ku. In the end, Ku is killed by being impaled on rebar, bringing the threat to a definitive and violent conclusion.
After the chaos, the film shifts into a surprisingly warm epilogue. Riggs and Lorna welcome their baby, while Murtaugh celebrates becoming a grandfather. In a symbolic move, Murtaugh avoids retirement when Riggs gives him the “gift” of official partnership—cementing their bond once and for all.
The film closes not on action, but on family, friendship, and closure, making it feel like a true farewell.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No. Lethal Weapon 4 does not feature a post-credits or mid-credits scene. Once the credits roll, the story is fully concluded.
Type of Movie
Lethal Weapon 4 is an action-comedy crime film that blends high-stakes police drama with humor and character-driven moments, leaning slightly more toward emotional closure than previous installments.
Cast
- Mel Gibson as Martin Riggs
- Danny Glover as Roger Murtaugh
- Joe Pesci as Leo Getz
- Rene Russo as Lorna Cole
- Chris Rock as Detective Lee Butters
- Jet Li as Wah Sing Ku
Film Music and Composer
The score was composed by Michael Kamen, whose music has been integral to the emotional identity of the entire Lethal Weapon series. The soundtrack balances heroic themes with lighter, jazz-influenced motifs, reinforcing both action and humor.
Filming Locations
The film was primarily shot in Los Angeles, California, using real urban locations, docks, and construction sites. These settings ground the story in a gritty, realistic cityscape that contrasts with the increasingly global scope of the crime syndicates.
Awards and Nominations
While Lethal Weapon 4 did not receive major awards recognition, it was praised for introducing Jet Li to Western audiences and for successfully concluding a long-running franchise.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- This was Jet Li’s first major Hollywood role, and he insisted his character be silent to emphasize physical storytelling.
- Richard Donner was determined to keep the tone lighter than typical late-90s action films.
- Danny Glover was actually older than his character’s mandatory retirement age, adding realism to Murtaugh’s arc.
- The fight choreography was redesigned to make Riggs look vulnerable for the first time.
Inspirations and References
The film draws inspiration from:
- Hong Kong martial arts cinema (especially through Jet Li’s character)
- Traditional buddy-cop dynamics established in earlier films
- Real-world concerns about human trafficking and organized crime
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
Several extended dialogue scenes focusing on Riggs’ fear of fatherhood were cut for pacing. No alternate ending was filmed, as the filmmakers were committed to a definitive emotional conclusion.
Book Adaptations and Differences
Lethal Weapon 4 is not based on a book. It follows an original screenplay expanding on characters established in previous films.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- Riggs vs. Wah Sing Ku’s first fight, where Riggs realizes he’s outmatched
- The opening bomb-disposal failure
- The final construction-site battle
- The family-centered closing scene
Iconic Quotes
- “I’m too old for this…” – Roger Murtaugh
- “We’re not cops. We’re partners.” – Martin Riggs
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- Subtle references to earlier Lethal Weapon films appear in dialogue callbacks
- Murtaugh’s house remains unchanged throughout the series, symbolizing stability
- Leo Getz references past cases that occurred in previous films
Trivia
- The film grossed over $285 million worldwide
- Jet Li’s fight scenes were slowed down because American audiences weren’t used to his speed
- This was Richard Donner’s final Lethal Weapon film
Why Watch?
If you care about character-driven action films and satisfying franchise conclusions, Lethal Weapon 4 delivers. It combines humor, emotional payoff, and intense action in a way few long-running series manage to achieve.
Director’s Other Works
- Superman (1978)
- The Goonies (1985)
- Scrooged (1988)
- Lethal Weapon (1987)
- Lethal Weapon 2 (1989)
- Lethal Weapon 3 (1992)
