Lethal Weapon Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray editions of "Lethal Weapon" and its sequel released in 2006 deliver a technological step up from their DVD precursors, featuring a 1080p/VC-1 transfer that enhances color saturation, contrast, and detail, with textures of skin and fabric clearly more defined compared to previous iterations. These improvements highlight finer elements such as sweat and hair with greater clarity, and delineation is notably more revealing, showcasing the potential of high-definition treatment for these films. However, the upgrades are marred by significant issues including severe aliasing, pixelation, and frequent edge distortion due to heavy-handed image filtering. Furthermore, both films are plagued by banding, distracting edge enhancement, artifacting, and an invasive application of noise reduction across various scenes, detracting from the overall viewing experience.

Comparatively, "Lethal Weapon 2" benefits slightly from higher production values, but essentially bears the same technical ailments as its predecessor. Despite these transfers offering a noticeable quality enhancement over DVD editions, they suffer from unsightly visual artifacts and jaggies that undermine their high-definition potential. This Blu-ray edition does not include the Director's Cut version seen in previous DVD releases but makes these scenes available as supplements, indicating a missed opportunity for a more comprehensive version. Additionally, the absence of a remastered transfer from the Director's Cut master highlights an area for potential improvement.

The video quality retains some deficiencies inherent in the source material, exhibiting occasional dirt speckles and noticeable film grain in certain shots, alongside somewhat muted and inconsistent colors. Despite these issues, the Blu-ray presentation manages to deliver solid blacks and good contrast, with night scenes occasionally achieving near three-dimensional depth. Sharpness varies, tending towards softness, yet impressively avoids pixelization even in grainy or fast-moving scenes. This presentation stands as a testament to the film's age, offering a respectable but flawed visual experience that could greatly benefit from a more meticulous remastering effort to truly honor the legacy of these classic action films.

The audio presentation of "Lethal Weapon" on Blu-ray, shared across the first two films of the franchise, showcases both its strengths and limitations rooted in its age and original sound design. While equipped with standard Dolby Digital 5.1 surround tracks, they appear to be somewhat hampered by their non-lossless format, which fans and audiophiles might find lacking. The dialogue occasionally gets drowned out by the film's robust action sequences, leaving some lines indiscernible, and the low-end frequencies often feel muddled, resulting in less impactful explosions and car crashes. Despite these drawbacks, the rear speakers do succeed in creating immersive sound fields that enhance the viewing experience with convincing acoustics and ambient sounds, although the directionality and pans might not meet the expectations set by high-definition standards today.

Interestingly, notwithstanding its encoding at a similar bitrate of 640kbps to the HD DVD's Dolby Digital-Plus 5.1 track, the Blu-ray audio's performance does manage to hold its ground. The dynamic range is admirably broad for an audio track of this vintage, offering expansive mid-range and high frequencies that are mostly free from distortion. The lower frequencies deliver a decent punch, contributing to a more engaging auditory experience. Directionality in the mix is commendable, with both obvious and subtle sound effects perceptibly placed within the surround channels. This, along with a well-rendered score, lends the soundtrack an enveloping and lively character that notably surpasses expectations for a film of its age.

However, it's noteworthy that certain aspects of the soundtrack, particularly some ADR work, bear the unmistakable hallmarks of their time, detracting slightly from an otherwise surprisingly robust remaster. While these editions certainly provide an enhanced audio experience compared to their DVD counterparts, it's clear that there is room for improvement should Warner Bros opt for future re-releases. Fans might be torn between appreciating the current offering's merits and holding out for a version that could potentially maximize fidelity and presence, especially given the films' iconic status and enduring popularity.

The Blu-ray edition of "Lethal Weapon" falls short of expectations, packing a sparse selection of extras that fails to elevate the home viewing experience significantly. Viewers are limited to approximately seven minutes of deleted scenes and the film's theatrical trailer as the sole supplements. These deleted scenes, which are mostly extended character moments for protagonist Martin Riggs, are presented in widescreen but match the standard DVD in quality, without showing any improvement in resolution. The choice not to integrate these scenes into a Director's Cut is disappointing, though their inclusion as standalone content will be appreciated by fans of the character and the series. Notably, all extras are encoded in standard definition, undermining the potential for a higher-quality Blu-ray experience.

Extras included in this disc:

• Deleted Scenes: Extended moments focusing on character development.
• Theatrical Trailer: Preview of the film as originally promoted in theaters.

Lethal Weapon," directed by the skillful Richard Donner and showcasing the potent duo of Mel Gibson and Danny Glover, remains a cornerstone in the buddy-cop genre, despite its age. The film masterfully combines wit, cynicism, and heart with an explosive action-packed narrative, making it a timeless classic in Hollywood's pantheon. At its core, "Lethal Weapon" is propelled by the dynamic and contrasting partnership of its lead characters: Sergeant Roger Murtaugh, portrayed by Glover as a devoted family man and dedicated cop on the verge of fifty, and Sergeant Martin Riggs, played by Gibson, whose seemingly reckless bravado masks a profound despair stemming from personal tragedy. This complex portrayal of Riggs and Murtaugh infuses the film with both humor and depth, elevating it beyond mere genre expectations.

The movie's appeal is enriched by Shane Black's sharp and witty script, which provides a solid foundation for the characters to engage in both verbal and physical sparring. Black's narrative prowess is evident in the compelling plot, marked by dangerous villains and a genuine sense of menace, which stands in contrast to the more formulaic offerings of the era. The chemistry between Gibson and Glover transcends the typical action-comedy fare, offering viewers a poignant look at friendship and heroism amidst chaos. Despite certain aspects of the film showing their age, particularly in its fashion and some supporting performances, "Lethal Weapon" remains engaging, its charm undiminished by time.

Reflecting on "Lethal Weapon" nearly two decades later, its innovation within the buddy-cop framework is unmistakable. The film not only established Mel Gibson as a Hollywood leading man but also set a new standard for action-comedy storytelling. Its genuine emotional core, combined with relentless action, strategic humor, and memorable characters, assures its continued legacy. As much a study in contrasts as a narrative of camaraderie and redemption, "Lethal Weapon" stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of its genre and the undeniable chemistry of its leads.

The "Lethal Weapon" Blu-ray presentation elicits mixed feelings, encapsulating the tapestry of technicolor nostalgia with its audio-visual shortcomings. Viewing this cornerstone of the buddy cop genre decades after its theatrical debut rekindles fond memories of Riggs and Murtaugh's unparalleled partnership. However, this sentiment is partially marred by the Blu-ray's lackluster video transfer and audio quality, which hardly surpasses its DVD counterpart. Enthusiasts hoping for a significant leap in fidelity will find the differences between the HD DVD and Blu-ray versions negligible, suggesting minimal effort in this release’s remastering process.

Supplemental content—or the stark lack thereof—further diminishes the value proposition of this Blu-ray edition. Fans and newcomers alike are left wanting, as the release falls short of providing a comprehensive look behind the scenes or any meaningful addition that would otherwise enrich the "Lethal Weapon" experience. This absence is particularly glaring for a film of such cultural and cinematic significance, failing to complement the main feature with context or contemporary reflections on its legacy.

In conclusion, while the allure of "Lethal Weapon" on Blu-ray may tempt those new to Blu-ray collecting or devoid of previous editions, this release struggles to justify its place on the shelf of discerning fans awaiting a definitive version. The combination of mediocre transfer quality, disappointing audio, and a desolate supplemental landscape suggest that holding out for a more polished and respectful tribute to Riggs and Murtaugh's inaugural adventure might be the wiser investment. Such patience could eventually be rewarded with a release that not only pays homage to the original's impact but also meets the modern expectations of home cinema enthusiasts.