 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
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Lethal Weapon 3
- Review Date: November 14, 2005
- R
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- 1992
Common Sense Media says
Violent action sequel on par with rest of series.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this film contains lots of violence and the suggestion of sex. The violence isn't especially graphic in this installment of the series. No one seems to suffer or bleed that much, but there are several onscreen deaths. There are also a few homophobic jokes.
What's the story?
LETHAL WEAPON 3 returns to the tried-and-true formula of guns, jokes, and male bonding. After a botched attempt to diffuse a bomb, detectives Riggs (Mel Gibson) and Murtaugh (Danny Glover) are bussed down to the position of patrol officer. While Murtaugh contemplates retirement, Riggs finds himself smitten with no-nonsense internal affairs agent Lorna Cole (Renee Russo). Riggs, Murtaugh and Cole team up to stop former cop Jack Travis (Stuart Wilson) from supplying guns to gang members. The mission turns deadly when a young cop dies and Lorna is shot, and once again, a revenge-fueled Riggs goes after the culprits.
Is it any good?
As most series do, the Lethal Weapon series gets sillier and more self-referential as it progresses. However, this film also features the beginnings of a social messages: The plot follows the path of illegally sold guns, from the runners to the kid on the street. The film deals briefly and indirectly with the issue of race, particularly the chronic involvement of young black men in gang warfare.
This installment focuses more on Murtaugh's problems than Riggs'. As in all films in the series, there's an abrupt shift in mood from humor to violent death about halfway through. The fate of Lorna leaves a slightly less bleak resolution, in which Riggs may not keep having to avenge the deaths of the women he loves. Overall, there isn't anything remarkable about this film, but it manages to deliver all the elements that fans of the series have come to expect.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about sequels. Why do they get made? Are they ever as good as the originals? What are some of the common problems that plague the newer installments? Do you like seeing the same characters come to life again?
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AGE
An iffy sequel to two great movies
This sequel is no where near as good as Lethal Weapon or Lethal Weapon 2. But, anyway, the same as the first two: Violence and language are pretty strong, but sex is not an issue with this film.
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| Studio: | Warner Bros. |
| Director: | Richard Donner |
| Cast: | Danny Glover, Joe Pesci, Mel Gibson |
| Genre: | Action/Adventure |
| Run time: | 118 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | May 15, 1992 |
| DVD release date: | December 15, 1998 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | violence and language |
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