Tag: Joe Pesci

LETHAL WEAPON 4 (1998)

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Directed By: Richard Donner

Written By: Channing Gibson 

Story By: Jonathan Lemkin, Alfred Gough, and Miles Millar 

Based On Characters Created By: Shane Black

Cinematography: Andrzej Bartkowiak

Editor: Dallas Puett, Kevin Stitt, Eric Strand and Frank J. Urioste 

Cast: Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Jet Li, Rene Russo, Joe Pesci, Chris Rock, Kim Chan, Steve Kahan, Darlene Love, Traci Wolfe, Eddy Ko, Jack Kehler, Richard Riehle, Michael Chow, Roger Yuan, Mary Ellen Trainor 

With personal crises and age weighing in on them, LAPD officers Riggs and Murtaugh must contend with deadly Chinese triads that are trying to free their former leaders from prison and onto American soil.

This is the only lethal weapon movie so far that I have seen on the big screen. 

While satisfyingly, it closes out the franchise with a message of familiarity. This is definitely the most formulaic and cartoonish of the series. it feels like they are just adding things to make it relevant the formula, familiar and add some flavor so that the film comes fresh

The film also represents the aging of the characters as it shows Mel Gibson‘s character Riggs to have more weaknesses, and not be as sharp and invincible as he used to be . As well as becoming a new father and having a wife, which would actually give him more weaknesses than he is used to. In fact they are so much older that half the time they have to use laser pointers to aim their guns in a target.

Chris Rock seems out of place and thrown in here as he was a hot ticket at the time and added to help with the office and put butts in seats and give it some more flair with a side story is hard to believe and just adds to a sitcom sense of discovery And off-color humor. As he is barely in any of the scenes where action takes place.

Which kind of force is Joe Pesci’s character of Leo gets out of the picture as the main comedic relief though he is still here, and in the end is a dramatic moment, though he does actually have the best chemistry with Chris Rock throughout the film

Again, like the last film, this plays more comedic than dangerous or even action oriented as again this is more of a comedy with action in it. It seems like the first half of the series was more action with comedy. This half is more comedic with action sequences. 

The one addition that does make this film, memorable and come alive is Jet Li, as he is exciting as a villain, but other than his action scenes, he is left with nothing to do, though, is a good distraction, and a perfect adversary for Mel Gibson’s character (which with his gruff and viciousness in the past. You can see why fans at the time wanted him to play Wolverine if they ever made an x-men movie) and he actually wins most of the time in the fights on screen, as he truly comes across as invincible, almost like a machine with the speed of his moves Where you do wonder, how are they going to defeat this guy and with him.

I hate to say it, but he is really one of the only reasons to watch this film to see him in action. As this serves Moore as his introduction to Hollywood and a great showcase for him to star in action films, though this film managed to capture him unlike his other American or Hollywood films where he just seems so amazing vicious the only one that comes close that I can think of is unleashed, which also goes by the title Danny the dog

The comedy is just too broad and damn near almost takes over. Just as this film is definitely far from how dangerous Riggs his character was he was unpredictable and crazy. Now he’s still a little crazy yet more careful, and is showing his age. Though still manages to have a memorable chase sequence on the highway.

Just like the previous films, this film has at least one memorable action sequence, and a separate character scene that endears it and makes it can.

Though this film will certainly have a nostalgia and sentimental factor for those who are fans of the franchise and characters. As this Is their last hurrah together. Especially with the passing of directior Richard Donner. 

Grace: C

LETHAL WEAPON 3 (1992)

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Directed By: Richard Donner 

Written By: Jeffrey Boam and Robert Mark Kamen

Based on characters created by: Shane Black

Cinematography: Jan De Bont

Editor: Battle Davis and Robert Brown 

Cast: Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Joe Pesci, Rene Russo, Stuart Wilson, Nick Chinlund, Alan Scarfe, Mark Pellegrino, Sven-ole Thorson, Miguel Nunez Jr., Paul Hipp, Stephen T. Kay, Delores Shell, Steve Kahan, Traci Wolfe, Damon Hines, Ebonie Smith, Mary Ellen Trainor

Archetypal buddy cops Riggs and Murtaugh are back for another round of high-stakes action, this time setting their collective sights on bringing down a former Los Angeles police lieutenant turned black market weapons dealer. Lorna Cole joins as the beautiful yet hard-nosed internal affairs sergeant who catches Riggs’s eye.

This was my introduction to the movie franchise. Which, for a time, was truly dyslexic, as I never watch many franchises in order. Though at least watching this film pieces of the puzzle come together. As I had seen the previous two movies, in pieces. just never all the way through. Until after seeing this one which made me wanna go back and finally actually watch the first two films’ info.

Having seen all of the movies, I have to say that disappointingly this film doesn’t advance the characters. It kind of lets them stay the same and maybe review or remind the audience of the death of their friendship at this point, as partners. 

It feels like it’s trying to be contemporary. It still feels a little bit like a throwback just following a formula. I mean just look at Joe Pesci‘s Leo character who is now a bottle blonde with a crew cut. Also, the introduction of hollow point bullets known on the streets as cop killers, feels like something taken from the news reports of an escalating danger.

Don’t know if the cliché came first or if this helped create them as throughout the formula, feels like a sitcom, almost that Hass to hit certain beats, and show certain scenes and behavior of characters. At least in the previous films, we were getting to know or learn about the characters and see how their partnership developed here we just assume they’ve had a kind of standstill, and it is expected

It’s a film where you don’t really feel any suspense. Just can’t help but seem familiar.

As my first LETHAL WEAPON film, it was exciting and new though it didn’t offer anything I hadn’t seen before. The quality kind of dips in quality in comparison . as if not for the foul language and violence, could’ve easily been a typical PG-13 film as it is definitely made for an audience more than anything. There is no need truly for this film other than for the studio to need money.

Unfortunately, this was a sign of the beginning of the end that felt fun, but a minor effort as there was one more sequel after this.

In serious scenes, the actors seem more silly than serious, except for the chase scene through the subway. That might be one of the film’s main problems is that it plays like a comedy with action in it rather than an action film that happens to have funny moments it’s not as vicious as the previous films either 

Watching this film, one’s favorite pastime might be noticing how many times Mel Gibson slips out of his American accent to his more natural Australian one. this film is also the first where Martin Riggs, Mel Gibson’s character, isn’t as scary or dangerous. He’s actually mellowed.  

Another Hallmark of this franchise, this one just seems to color in the lines, but offers nothing new, just adding an addition to the overall picture that wasn’t necessarily needed, but isn’t that bad? No, I will say it’s the last classic of the old-time sequels as the next film part four comes across as more cartoonish.

The franchise is familiar enough, so this is almost like just another episode, but lacks the stakes of the other films. It does offer as it adds a character, just as part two introduced us to Joe Pesci Leo Getz, who became a fan favorite enough that he returns for the remaining sequels here, Renée Russo’s character, is introduced, and ultimately stays and survives so that Riggs finally fall for and keeps a love interest.

The film offers a crafty, smart villain that makes his mark but alas, slimy doesn’t have as many memorable scenes, acts, or punch lines as previous villains.

The teenagers with the guns and ammo who are supposed to be part of this gang that hits close to home for Danny Glover, Roger, as one of them has a connection to his son. Nick feels thrown in to give Danny Glover a dramatic second act so that he can make a return, triumphant in the third act.

The film doesn’t offer anything new nor for the characters to do as the first two films did. The violence seems much lighter and less severe than in the first and especially the second film.

It seems like they are supposed to be homicide detectives, but they seem to get involved in every other type of case.

This franchise is one of the last where you can check your head at the door and be purely entertained and feel like at least you were served something well-cooked. Though in the end the film and franchise are meant to be entertainment above all else 

Grade: C+

CASINO (1995)

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Directed by: Martin Scorsese
Written By: Nicholas Pileggi & Martin Scorsese
Based on the Book “Casino” By: Nicholas Pileggi
Cinematography: Robert Richardson 
Editor: Thelma Schoonmaker 

Cast: Robert DeNiro, Joe Pesci, Sharon Stone, James Woods, Frank Vincent, Don Rickles, Alan King, Kevin Pollak, Pasquale Cajano, Richard Riehle, L.Q. Jones, John Bloom, Dick Smothers, Vinny Vella, Melissa Prophet, Bill Allison, Steve Allen, Jayne Meadows, Frankie Avalon, Jerry Vale, 

A tale of greed, deception, money, power, and murder occur between two best friends: a mafia enforcer and a casino executive compete against each other over a gambling empire, and over a fast-living and fast-loving socialite.

This movie is a grand opera. Though its stage seems grand, you can tell at heart it has a central story that is a drama. That concerns a core small group but their actions affect way too many for it to barely be noticed. It charts everyone’s downfall. As really the film is a tragedy.

It feels like it might pack too much into the story and take as it tries to be partially a history lesson. As well as tell a story to these particular characters and how their Affairs and behavior brought down or exposed the mafia in Las Vegas. 

Now while this film is epic and told In Quite the same way what makes it so strong and magical is how much in the small details everything feels right and paid close attention to. It might not be as satisfying a gangster film as his previous film GOODFELLAS, but this is more a tale of greed and corruption that happens to have gangsters in it.

Everything presented here is over the top, even the cast. Which is peppered with Las Vegas entertainers in various roles. As well as big names sprinkled throughout. 

The film stays true to the true story being told but also has many subplots that might seem like distractions at first but eventually come together to show that these minute seeming trivialities are what makes everything come together to a clash eventually. 

Sharon Stone has never been better than Playing ginger. The hustler wife to Robert DeNiro’s casino runner. At first idealistic beauty and then is slowly addicted to alcohol and drugs who proves to be a bad bet for him. Who has always been a winner and picked them and as soon as he gets involved with her. Slowly things begin to crumble due to excess and ego.

It has been a little too familiar for Joe Pesci playing a likable killer sociopath again who is as funny as he is scary. Even though a different temperament and Robert DeNiro is quieter and less violent a character but more know it. Whose ego is his worst problem.

While this film Shows how Las Vegas and the mob rules Las Vegas with an iron fist. So that the house always won. It also shows how things have changed over time and how drugs and morals began to affect everything. Went so far as to include an ending where at the time they show how my body Vegas has changed and that the time they ruled was the end of an era. Even if corrupt how much fun it was or could be.

This film is certainly a grand vision painted with a paintbrush of all colors. As cinematographer Robert Richardson seems to go all out with lenses, filters, scopes to emphasize how crazy and exact things were at the time. At that point usually worked for director Oliver Stone. This was his first collaboration with Martin Scorsese and it seems a match made it. Heaven especially with this tale.

Though for as big as the film is it couldn’t be told any other way. Even when it tries to stay on certain stories and characters it can’t help but give the audience the whole picture so that they can understand exactly what all went into actions and decisions. Even throughout the film the narration changes to certain characters, even minor ones to help explain situations.

The soundtrack almost runs over each other in the changing scenes, moods, and tones. Though always seem to be playing the right song and cue 

While not exactly a masterpiece this is a big picture. That is hard to describe but it has all the elements that are needed for a soap opera only here treated more seriously. Filled with flawed and shady characters where the only close to innocent ones are just less shady than others.

The film tries to show that not all that glitters is gold and even if you try and gold plate it the tarnish is never quite fixed.

GRADE: B

LETHAL WEAPON 4 (1998)

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lethalw4

Directed By: Richard Donner
Written By: Channing Gibson
Story By: Jonathan Lemkin, Alfred Gough & Miles Millar
Based On Characters Created By: Shane Black
Cinematography: Andrzej Bartkowiak
Editor: Dallas Puett, Kevin Stitt, Eric Strand & Frank J. Urioste 


Cast: Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Jet Li, Joe Pesci, Chris Rock, Rene Russo, Kim Chan, Steve Kahan, Darlene Love, Richard Riehle, Mary Ellen Trainor, Ebonie Smith 


With personal crises and age weighing in on them, LAPD officers Riggs and Murtaugh must contend with deadly Chinese triads that are trying to free their former leaders out of prison and onto American soil.
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