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Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Joe Pesci, Joss Ackland, Derrick O'Connor ... see more see more... , Patsy Kensit , Darlene Love , Traci Wolfe , Stephen Kahan , Burbank the Cat , Cynthia Burr , Grand L. Bush , Patrick Cameron , Marian Collier , Jay Della Valle , Lionel Douglass , Jenette Goldstein , Tommy Hinkley , Damon Hines , Sherman Howard , David Marciano , Jack McGee , Dean Norris , Jim Piddock , Mark Rolston , Edward J. Rosen , Sam the Dog , Nestor Serrano , Pat Skipper , Ebonie Smith , Philip Suriano , Kenneth Tigar , Mary Ellen Trainor , Paul Tuerpé , Danny Wynands , Bruce A. Young , James Oliver , Jim Birge , Orlando Bonner , Tony Carreiro , Robert Fol , Catherine Guel , Salim Jaidi , Guy Mack , Jeanne McGuire , Philip Maurice Miller , Allan Dean Moore , Danny Ondrejko , Virginia Shannon , Al Weber Jr. , Norm Wilson , Marion Dougherty , Juney Smith , Steve Kahan

This high-voltage sequel continues the adventures of Los Angeles detectives Riggs and Murtaugh (Oscar-winner Mel Gibson and Danny Glover) as they try to thwart a smuggling ring of blond South African ... read more read more..."diplomats". Gibson finds romance this time around, and Academy Award- winner Joe Pesci ("GoodFellas," "My Cousin Vinnie") joins the team as fast-talking con artist Leo Getz. "At the Movies" calls this "...Pure dynamite!...a summer blockbuster with enough humor, excitement and action for two movies," while Roger Ebert praises "...Terrific... entertaining from one end to the other." Gene Shalit sums up all the cheers, calling it "...even more fun than the original ...directed at a mile a minute by Richard Donner...lots of laughs.

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75% liked it

229,682 ratings

Critics

82% liked it

34 critics

R, 1 hr. 52 min.

Directed by: Richard Donner

Release Date: July 7, 1989

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DVD Release Date: August 27, 1997

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Stats: 5,125 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (5,125)

  • blkbomb
    January 12, 2012
    blkbomb
    Roger Murtaugh: It's just been revoked! 

    "The magic is back!"

    Lethal Weapon 2 is just as entertaining, just as fun, just as funny, and just as thrilling as the original. The first one is a classic, but I like this one as much, if not slightly more than the first. The character ... read moredevelopment from the first one is over, and now it is all action. This actually has more action than the original, and the original had a shit load of action. The two main actors are back, Mel Gibson and Danny Glover, along with a new, familiar face; that being Joe Pesci. Whenever Pesci is in a film, you know it's going to be all the more better for having his presence. He plays a different type of character than I am used to seeing from him, but still he's good. 

    This revolves around the same core plot as the first. Two cops are on a case. This time they are dealing with some South Africans. Also, Riggs falls in love with a secretary that's working for the South African diplomat. The story is even more engaging than the first, in my opinion. It has just about everything movies like this need. As far as buddy cop movies go, it's hard to beat the first two movies in this classic franchise, or it's two cops; Murtaugh and Riggs. This is the cop duo. 

    This has to be considered another staple of the genre. The first two movies in this series pretty much define the genre. They have all the violence, explosions, and chases that they could possibly throw into the runtime. This movie is slightly longer than the first, but you won't notice. It runs like a sprinter. It starts fast with a chase scene , and doesn't stop until it reaches the finish line.

    Martin Riggs: I'm not a cop tonight, Rog. This is personal. 
  • garyX
    December 5, 2011
    garyX
    Riggs and Murtaugh investigate the staff of a South African consulate who are hiding behind their diplomatic credentials to perpetrate organised crime. The same team who brought you the original formula of testosterone soaked, adolescent pleasing action and wise cracks returns wi... read moreth exactly the same blend of destruction, homophobic quips, female nudity, car chases and torture that scored so big with the box office. And if you thought the first film was a bit too subtle and sophisticated, it introduces exploding cars, machine guns, helicopter gunships and baddies who are not only evil, sadistic bastards, but RACIST, evil, sadistic bastards, right from the get go. And an exploding toilet. Patsy Kensit is a bit of an insipid love interest and Joe Pesci's constant nasal yammering irritates rather than amuses so it's not quite as good as the first film, but it's close enough to please its fans.
  • kenstachnik
    October 17, 2011
    kenstachnik
    Not nearly as awesome as the first film, but still entertaining.
  • TheDudeLebowski65
    July 13, 2011
    TheDudeLebowski65
    For a second film, Lethal Weapon 2 is a fairly decent action film. I much preferred this film over the third and fourth films. Sure it has Pesci, and I do not like him in these films. But there's too much fire in this sequels belly that it overshadows Pesci's annoying performance... read more. I won't give this sequel a high rating, but it's fairly entertaining, and I somewhat liked this second effort. The thing with Lethal Weapon films is that they're more tongue in cheek than say the Die Hard films. For what it is, Lethal Weapon is average action film that does deliver some entertaining bits. But I thought it could've been better. Like I've said, my favorite Lethal Weapon is the first film, and this is a fair second entry. Nothing too special. Some entertaining bits, but at times the film falls flat. Fans of the first will probably love this one,and think it's an improvement. But I always believe that it was hard to top an original film, and only a few sequels in cinematic history has topped the original. Lethal Weapon 2 as a whole, is a borderline good sequel and is the better sequel of this somewhat lacking franchise. After this film the sequels became a lot more tongue and cheek, and felt cheap. A fairly decent film to watch, but nothing ever memorable. A fun time waster, but nothing to truly remember and call a classic.
  • ironclad1609
    May 30, 2011
    ironclad1609
    The second film of the series has its characters establishes and can dive right into the action packed story of Riggs and Murtaugh fighting racist South African diplomats. What the movie does really well is making those villains as evil and diabolic as you possibly can in a (some... read morewhat) realistic movie. Of course, once the shit hits the fan, our heroes response is not for the wimpy and once again celebrates taking law into your own hands. That's questionable from a moral point of view, something you don't really notice if you've grown up with this film. That doesn't make the action or the jokes any less fun of course. The chemistry between Glover and Gibson still works wonders for the film.
  • ythelastman89
    January 7, 2011
    ythelastman89
    To me, this is just as good as the original. It just has more of everything that made the characters and story great. The South African villains are some of the most vile out there. The fact that they push Mel Gibson into full fury mode is a true testament to their strength. The ... read moreaction in many ways is a lot bigger and more impressive, as is the relationship between Riggs and Murtaugh. Joe Pesci's addition to the cast only made the dynamics better, he's a common pest between the two that makes for some really funny scenes. What I really love about the series is that it doesn't feel like they made sequels, only continuations of the principle characters.
  • cosmo313
    August 25, 2010
    cosmo313
    It doesn't quite have the depth and pathos that the dfirst did, but this is nonetheless an exciting and worthy sequel, and a damn good stand alone film.

    I like that the relationship between Riggs and Murtaugh is expanded upon, even if things take a slightly more comedic turn.... read more Speaking of which, Joe Pesci is excellent here. It's not his best performance, but it's still pretty damn good. I like how all of these movies try to tie the story line into political or historical developments, and this one is no exception. The villains are pretty good, and it's a nice idea anyway.

    The stunts and action sequences are outstanding, and the pacing is terrific. I was also happy with the balance between action, drama, and humor. This is a great film, and there's a lot to enjoy here.
  • 76Majikat
    February 2, 2010
    76Majikat
    More of the same from the parters in law, with a little more emphasis on Riggs back story and the introduction of Leo (Joe Pesci).

    Lots more explosions!
  • SirPant
    September 24, 2009
    SirPant
    My favourite of the 4 films I think! Is this the one with the toilet bomb?
  • EightThirty
    August 11, 2009
    EightThirty
    I'm too old for this crap! ha ha ha yeah man never go board on this ride... still cool for me ^

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Critic Reviews

Variety Staff
June 6, 2008
Variety Staff, Variety

Loaded with the usual elements, Lethal Weapon 2 benefits from a consistency of tone that was lacking in the first film. Full Review

Caryn James
May 20, 2003
Caryn James, New York Times

If you liked Lethal Weapon, you'll like Lethal Weapon 2; it's almost as simple as that. Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

A film with the same off-center invention and wild energy as the original. Full Review

Rita Kempley
January 1, 2000
Rita Kempley, Washington Post

You've got your chases, you've got your explosions, you've got your destruction of property and death of innocent bystanders -- all this and bonding too. Full Review

Roger Piantadosi
January 1, 2000
Roger Piantadosi, Washington Post

It's fun stuff -- crackling, playfully escapist summer fare that doesn't make you feel taken advantage of later. Full Review

Elliot Panek
January 1, 2011
Elliot Panek, Common Sense Media

Sequel adds Joe Pesci to the buddy cop formula. Full Review

Brian Orndorf
August 26, 2009
Brian Orndorf, BrianOrndorf.com

One of the finest examples of the genre, and, in my humble estimation, one of the greatest sequels put to film. Perhaps deranged hyperbole, but rarely does a follow-up outgun the original film as swif... Full Review

Clint Morris
February 3, 2009
Clint Morris, Brag Magazine

Better than the first!

August 25, 2008
TV Guide's Movie Guide

Returning director Richard Donner seems to have smoothed over the few stylistic rough edges remaining from the earlier film to deliver here two hours of pure, breathless, high-impact entertainment. Full Review

August 25, 2008
Film4

Probably the best film in the series to date. Full Review

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Lethal Weapon 2 Trivia

  • What was the first lethal Weapon movie to feature Joe Pesci as Leo Getz?  Answer »
  • Which Lethal Weapon movie were Mel Gibson(Martin Riggs) and Danny Glover(Sgt. Roger Murtaugh) stuck in the bathtub together.  Answer »
  • in lethal weapon 2 riggs followed Rika van den Haas into a what?   Answer »
  • in lethal weapon 2 what did leo order from the room service?  Answer »
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