Lethal Weapon 4 MPAA Rating: R Entertainment: +2 1/2 Content: -3

Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson) and Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover) are back on the streets in this fourth installment of the Lethal Weapon series. While on a fishing expedition with private investigator Leo Getz (Joe Pesci), police officers Riggs and Murtaugh are nearly hit by a boat carrying illegal immigrants. It's not long before some of these immigrants are even invited into Roger Murtaugh's home. The duo soon finds themselves involved with another series of crimes involving immigrant smuggling and counterfeiting. Their investigation leads them to Wah Sing Ku (Jet Lee), a martial arts expert from Asia. Meanwhile, Roger Murtaugh is on the verge of becoming a grandfather but is unaware that his daughter has married junior detective Lee Butters (Chris Rock). However, Lee Butters is not the only father expecting a baby; Martin and his girlfriend, Lorna Cole (Rene Russo), are also expecting a child.

Unfortunately the plot lacks originality, and an attempt to humanize the character of Leo Getz fails miserably. But the film is packed with the same energy, action and humor of the previous Lethal Weapons, and the magical chemistry and comical quips between the characters keeps audiences laughing. It's refreshing to see Murtaugh open up his home to a family of needy immigrants. Also, an admirable patriotic element surfaces when one of the immigrants talks about his dream of coming to America. But the film is immersed in a world of moderate violence as Riggs and Murtaugh destroy the city while pursuing Wah Sing Ku. Some of the more graphic scenes include a man getting hit by a bus and a man being impaled on a metal bar. The film contains a strong message that condones premarital sex as Riggs and Lorna discuss not marrying, even though they are expecting a baby. Continuing in the tradition of the Lethal Weapon movies, this latest addition is overflowing with foul language. The overwhelming use of over 100 obscenities, the massive amount of moderate violence and the condoning of premarital sex should be more than enough to keep discriminating audiences from seeing this film.

Preview Reviewer: Rik Wyrick
Distributor: Warner Bros. 4000 Warner Blvd. Burbank, CA 91522