LETHAL WEAPON:1-4 COLLECTION (BD/S)

Box set containing all four films from the popular 'Lethal Weapon' series. In 'Lethal Weapon' (1987), Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover) is a family man cop who is about to turn fifty. Cautious by nature, he is less than happy to be paired with Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson) when he is assigned to investigate Californian drug baron 'The General' (Mitchell Ryan). Following the death of his wife, Riggs has become a manic loner who no longer cares whether he lives or dies - an approach which causes more than a few problems as he and Murtaugh attempt to bring the General to justice. In 'Lethal Weapon 2' (1989), Riggs (Gibson) and his partner Murtaugh (Glover) once again tackle the evils of drug smuggling, this time coming up against a South African syndicate whose kingpins are protected by diplomatic immunity. In 'Lethal Weapon 3' (1992), Detectives Murtaugh (Glover) and Riggs (Gibson) are both demoted after triggering a car bomb in a multi-storey car park, but they are soon reinstated after uncovering a network - run by an ex-cop - which is smuggling weapons out of a police ammunition dump. Finally, in 'Lethal Weapon 4' (1998), mismatched cops Riggs (Gibson) and Murtaugh (Glover) team up for a fourth time to foil an immigrant smuggling racket, run by a ruthless Asian Triad leader (Jet Li). Joe Pesci also returns as Leo Getz, the cops' cowardly informant whilst Rene Russo leavens the boys with toys atmosphere as risk-taking detective Lorna Cole. Arguably Hollywood’s premier mismatched cops franchise, the four Lethal Weapon movies are gathered together in high definition for the first time, in this highly entertaining, action-packed boxset. The mismatched cops here? That’d be livewire Riggs, played by Mel Gibson, and straight-down-the-line, edging closer to retirement Murtaugh, played by Danny Glover. The pair have a terrific chemistry together, and by the end of the fourth film, the franchise has also brought in the likes of Joss Ackland, Patsy Kensit, Rene Russo, Joe Pesci and Chris Rock, amongst others. The best Lethal Weapon film? That’d be the first, though, when Riggs really does feel like an unpredictable character on the edge. That’s softened as the franchise moves on, where it favours comedy over such elements of drama. But it’s not a bad transition, and the movies remain just as enjoyable. For when the Lethal Weapon films do comedy, it really works. Just look at the scene with the bomb attached to the toilet in Lethal Weapon 2. It’s a strong collection of films, each of which has benefited from a high definition upgrade. Plus, there’s the bonus of an added disc of bonus features to get your teeth into, too. --Jon Foster

LETHAL WEAPON:1-4 COLLECTION (BD/S)

Arguably Hollywood’s premier mismatched cops franchise, the four Lethal Weapon movies are gathered together in high definition for the first time, in this highly entertaining, action-packed boxset.

The mismatched cops here? That’d be livewire Riggs, played by Mel Gibson, and straight-down-the-line, edging closer to retirement Murtaugh, played by Danny Glover. The pair have a terrific chemistry together, and by the end of the fourth film, the franchise has also brought in the likes of Joss Ackland, Patsy Kensit, Rene Russo, Joe Pesci and Chris Rock, amongst others.

The best Lethal Weapon film? That’d be the first, though, when Riggs really does feel like an unpredictable character on the edge. That’s softened as the franchise moves on, where it favours comedy over such elements of drama. But it’s not a bad transition, and the movies remain just as enjoyable. For when the Lethal Weapon films do comedy, it really works. Just look at the scene with the bomb attached to the toilet in Lethal Weapon 2.

It’s a strong collection of films, each of which has benefited from a high definition upgrade. Plus, there’s the bonus of an added disc of bonus features to get your teeth into, too. --Jon Foster