Lethal Weapon 3 (Exclusive Series) (HBO Max until 7/31)

Initial release date: May 15, 1992

Studios: Warner Bros/Silver Pictures

Tagline: The magic is back again!

Plot: Veteran cop Roger Murtaugh is only days away from retiring when he and his tough partner, Martin Riggs, are roped into an important internal affairs case. Working with the beautiful, non-nonsense Sgt. Lorna Cole and aided by the shifty informant Leo Getz, Murtaugh and Riggs begin to close in on a black market weapons operation involving corrupt cop and arms dealer Jack Travis.

Cast

Mel Gibson - Martin Riggs

Danny Glover - Roger Murtaugh

Joe Pesci - Leo Getz

Rene Russo - Lorna Cole

Stuart Wilson - Jack Travis

Steve Kahan - Captain Ed Murphy

Darlene Love - Trish Murtaugh

Traci Wolfe - Rianne Murtaugh

Damon Hines - Nick Murtaugh

Ebonie Smith - Carrie Murtaugh

Gregory Millar - Tyrone

Nick Chunland - Hatchett

Mary Ellen Trainor - Stephanie Woods (psychiatrist)

Writer(s): Jeffrey Boam (Lethal Weapon 2)

Robert Mark Kamen (Angel Has Fallen; Taken 3; Taken 2; Columbiana)

Director: Richard Donner

Rated R for violence and language (118 minutes)

In 1993, Riggs and Murtaugh were back for more action in the second sequel to the franchise - 'Lethal Weapon 3.'

The third installment of the action series is jam packed with thrills and action, just like the previous two entries. 'Lethal Weapon 3' also dives into the topic of police corruption, which is interesting.

One thing that's really noticeable compared to the 1987 and 1989 movies is that this sequel seems to be a little light hearted. Yea, there are the typical gun fights and chase sequences. But, this one features a lot of more humor than the previous movies. Even though it features a lot more humor than it should, the third movie is still fairly good!!

Catch all four 'Lethal Weapon' movies on HBO Max through the end of July!!

Here are some interesting tidbits for 'Lethal Weapon 3':

• Bill Frederick, the mayor of Orlando at the time of filming, is the policeman who says "Bravo" to Murtaugh and Riggs after the explosion of the building in the opening scene, which was the old Orlando City Hall.

• Murtaugh's boat is called "Code 7," which is the LAPD code for a lunch break.

• During the scene where Riggs and Lorna are comparing scars, many of Riggs' were given to him during the events of 'Lethal Weapon 2,' specifically the gun shots in his lung and the knife wound in the back of his leg.

• Leo Getz was originally not in the script, and all of his scenes were written in afterward. In the original script, Leo had left LA for NYC.

• The only movie in which Captain Murphy has any screen time with the villains.

• Michael Keaton, James Caan, Jack Nicholson, Gene Hackman and Al Pacino turned down the role of Jack Travis. Keaton had been offered the role of Riggs in the first movie.

• The only 'Lethal Weapon' movie where the Murtaugh house isn't damaged in any way.

• The movie was filmed from October 1991 to January 1992.

• In the opening scenes, Riggs accidentally sets off a bomb that destroys the ICSI building. The ICSI building was actually the former City Hall building of Orlando. WB decided to use the destruction of the building in the movie, and as a result paid $500,000 for the demolition.

• From August to October 1991, the production crew fitted the old Orlando City Hall building featured in the opening scene with carefully placed explosives to create the visual effect of a bomb explosion.

• The climax scene, where an under-construction housing development is set ablaze, was filmed at an unfinished housing development in Lancaster, CA. The unfinished houses, which had been sitting abandoned and slated to be torn down, were coated in flame retardant and propane gas lines to ensure that the houses could withstand re-shoots. The original homes were eventually demolished and were eventually redeveloped into another housing development.

• Was a box office success, earning $145 million. Although slightly less than the $150 million domestic gross of the first sequel, it was nevertheless, the second most successful summer movie of 1992 (after 'Batman Returns') and the eighth most profitable movie of the year. Also earned $350 million worldwide on a $35 million budget.

https://youtu.be/340a5ZjyEa8