Share

Watch It

On DVD: Now | On Blu-ray: Now
Watch it on iTunes Buy on Amazon

Lethal Weapon 2 Review

Other Critics provided by Metacritic.com

Critics scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 4.0
    70

    out of 100

    Metascore®
    Generally favorable reviews
    based on a weighted average of all
    critic review scores.

  • 40

    out of 100

    Time Richard Corliss

    That first movie raised the craft of torture to a low art. Expect no less in LW2, directed by Richard Donner and written by Jeffrey Boam. This installment features a surfboard decapitation, death by carpenter's nail gun, a bomb wired to a very sensitive seat ( and reduction of the Afrikaaner diaspora by about one-half. (24July 1989, p.53)

  • 50

    out of 100

    Chicago Tribune Gene Siskel

    Yet another disappointing summer sequel, Lethal Weapon 2, with Danny Glover and Mel Gibson reprising their cop-buddy roles in pursuit of South African drug lords. [7 Jul 1989, p.A]

  • 63

    out of 100

    USA Today Mike Clark

    Lethal Weapon 2 is bang-bang and brain-dead in roughly equal measure. If there's an advantage this time out, it's that the film seems to play the action (and its lead character's psychoses) more for laughs. [7 Jul 1989, p.1D]

  • 70

    out of 100

    Los Angeles Times Michael Wilmington

    Lethal Weapon 2 has the brain-rattling pace of a terminal speed freak going the wrong way down an expressway. [7 Jul 1989, p.1]

  • 80

    out of 100

    The New York Times

    Before it skids out of control in the final sequence, the film is so careful to preserve its successful comic-action formula that it follows the most basic law of sequels. If you liked ''Lethal Weapon,'' you'll like Lethal Weapon 2; it's almost as simple as that.

    Read Full Review

  • 80

    out of 100

    Variety

    Loaded with the usual elements, Lethal Weapon 2 benefits from a consistency of tone that was lacking in the first film. This time, screenwriter Jeffrey Boam and director Richard Donner have wisely trained their sights on humor and the considerable charm of Mel Gibson and Danny Glover's onscreen rapport.

    Read Full Review

  • 88

    out of 100

    Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

    Lethal Weapon 2 is that rarity - a sequel with most of the same qualities as the original. I walked into the movie with a certain dread. But this is a film with the same off-center invention and wild energy as the original.

    Read Full Review

  • See all Lethal Weapon 2 reviews at Metacritic.com

View MoreView Less

For Families provided by Common Sense Media

Iffy for 14+

Sequel adds Joe Pesci to the buddy cop formula.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this film contains graphic violence and a sex scene. There are several shootouts, some beatings, and a stabbing. Though the violence is graphic, the camera doesn't linger on the characters' suffering. The villains are racist South African diplomats, and the film seems to draw a connection between their country of origin and their racism. Though this made sense at the time, it might give young viewers the impression that Apartheid is still policy in South Africa. One character is essentially given a pass for money laundering.

  • Families can talk about the mix of comedy and violence here. Does the comedy make the killing less intense -- or does the combination seem odd to you? Can you think of other films that mix these elements?

The good stuff
  • message true0

    Messages: Not an issue

What to watch for
  • violence false5

    Violence: Onscreen shootings, death by nail gun, explosions, stabbing.

  • sex false3

    Sex: A recurring condom joke, brief simulated sex, female nudity.

  • language false5

    Language: Plenty of cursing.

  • consumerism false3

    Consumerism: Part of a series of films. There are references to Subway, Ramses condoms, GMC.

  • drugsalcoholtobacco false3

    Drinking, drugs and smoking: Alcohol, smoking, portrayed in a negative light.

An independent nonprofit dedicated to providing families the information they need to help kids thrive in a world of media and technology.

© Common Sense Media Inc. 2010. All rights reserved.

View MoreView Less

Fan Reviews provided by

Average Rating: 3.85
Read all reviews Write a review at Fandango
4

by sinhippie

4


3

by Hyperlith

Read all Lethal Weapon 2 reviews at Fandango
Advertisement