Lethal Weapon (TV Series) Pilot (2016) User Reviews

Hold Your Fire

[Minus_The_Beer · 7/10 · 26 September 2016]

Because Mel Gibson is, shall we say, no longer blockbuster fodder and because Danny Glover is literally getting too old for this s---, "Lethal Weapon" -- the seminal 1987 buddy-cop classic - has been given a TV series reboot. In the spirit of other movies adapted to TV like "Bates Motel" and "Fargo," "Lethal Weapon" aims to draw in a new generation of viewers who aren't so familiar with the source material, while making sure to pay its fair share of fan service at the same time.

For the most part, the pilot episode (aided by the original film's screenwriter Shane Black), strikes this balance pretty well. These first forty-five minutes of the series have the unwieldy task of cramming two hours of exposition and character development into a smaller package, all while stringing together some impressive action scenes. A highlight of the episode includes a high-speed chase that somehow winds up on a race track, which is just the kind of absurdity that the original film's sequels flirted with.

Our two leads, the manic, on-the edge Martin Riggs and the older, wearier Roger Murtaugh -- played by Clayne Crawford and Damon Wayans, respectively -- seem up to the task of living up to their cinematic counterparts, even if it's a little awkward at first. While Wayans seems to struggle a bit with his tone (often blurring the line between arrogance and maturity), Crawford is pretty much spot-on in his portrayal of Riggs. While not seeming quite as damaged as Gibson played the character, Crawford brings a considerable amount of charm and likability to the role, and his chemistry with Wayans is, likewise, quite natural. It should be interesting to see how the future of the series shakes out as the two are able to really get into the characters and strike a balance.

Directed by McG, purveyor of fluff like the "Charlie's Angels" reboots of the 2000s and the Sugar Ray videos of the 1990s (not to mention "Terminator Salvation"), the overall aesthetic of the pilot is a little too "music video" compared to Donnor (director of all four original films) and comes across at times like a "Fast & Furious" sequel on a microbudget. Hopefully as the series stretches its legs, some directors with a little more subtly are subbed in and we can really hone in on the characters. There's a secondary plot here that just feels like background noise to Wayans and Crawford, so again, some fine-tuning definitely needs to be done, but the potential is certainly there. Thankfully, "Lethal Weapon" doesn't appear to be a misfire...yet.

Give the Show A Chance

[ShelbyTMItchell · 8/10 · 22 September 2016]

So far so good. And that it is one that will hopefully be a hit for years to come.

And that it is leading off over on the hit "Empire." As Clayne Crawford(Recitfy) stars as Martin Riggs an ex-Navy Seal(Was a Green Beret in the movie). Who's wife and unborn child are killed in a car wreck.

He moves from Texas to LA for a new start. And meets his straight laced partner and father of three, turning fifty Roger Murtaugh(Damon Wayans of "In Living Color"). As the straight man but has used his comic genius as someone that is returning to the force after a heart attack.

Now that both as always are reluctant partners. As Riggs is crazy and Roger wants to limit his stress in a watch given by his attorney wife, both will get to know one another personally. As Riggs needs a friend and Murtaugh needs someone who in a sense, understands stress.

Jordana Brewster(Fast and Furious movies) plays the shrink from I.A.B. that has to interview them. And a potential love interest to Riggs.

It is so far a good show and funny as well as does not take itself seriously. Despite Murtaugh's heart attack and Riggs losing his wife and unborn baby.

Just give it a chance but it is tame for TV at least. Just needs to really give it character development and writing.

A worthy update

[Mr-Fusion · 7/10 · 16 October 2017]

"Lethal Weapon" sure didn't offer much promise in the pre-season trailer. It honestly seemed like a generic version of what made the movies memorable (the magic, if you will). Plus, it didn't feel at all necessary. Part of that is because the original movie holds a very special place.

But I think they really have something here.

It's because of the characters. It's easy to accept Damon Wayans and Clayne Crawford as the buddy cops because of the already established Gibson-Glover relationship. I didn't find myself comparing tics or deliveries between both sets of actors because this didn't xerox the movies. There's room for new faces to and new writing to chart different paths for these characters.

It's got flashy editing, serious production values and the seeds of what could be a winning partnership. I dunno, maybe I just really miss "The Good Guys". But it's Crawford who owns this premiere, and also the reason to give this a shot.

7/10

Jason Gedrick

[suestiglic · 10/10 · 4 February 2019]

Why take off the great actors people love himsometime change doesnt work

A good introduction to the characters

[tenshi_ippikiookami · 6/10 · 7 November 2016]

The pilot for the "Lethal Weapon" show does a good job in introducing the two principal characters, Roger and Martin, the same two from the movies from which the show is based on.

As with in the movies, Roger is the more serious, a little bit fearful of the pass of time, and totally against doing reckless things while Martin is the one who has lost all hope and just wants to... let it all go. They get paired together and pretty soon are investigating an apparent suicide that may be something entirely different.

The characters are, in this first episode, quite similar to the characters from the movies. Wayans does a good job as Roger, while Crawford is an acceptable Martin, not very charismatic, but good enough in bringing the pain and loneliness of the character to light. The plot is simple, very simple, but the chemistry between the characters is good enough that it makes for it.

The biggest problem with the pilot is its penchant for unnecessary violence. Yes, the characters are supposed to be reckless and violent, but there are a couple of occasions where it crosses the line. On top of that, it seems that the show may fall into the better-shoot-the-bad-guy-instead-of-making-a-good-story shortcoming. Let's see, as pilots are normally always on shaky ground.

From this first episode, though, it seems the "Lethal Weapon" show may have good characters and chemistry, but simple story-line and case of the week.

Pilot

[Prismark10 · 5/10 · 19 March 2017]

Shane Black creator of the Lethal Weapon movies gets the co-story credit for this pilot episode and McG directs with his usual flashy style.

The original Lethal Weapon film from 1987 was a much more serious, action packed film with a heavy dose of violence. Mel Gibson playing a disturbed suicidal cop, ex army and his wife has died.

It was the sequel that introduced more comedy elements to the movies to balance out the violence. It also toned down Gibson's Riggs character.

The pilot for Lethal Weapon takes elements of the first two films as it introduces Riggs, a new cop in LA after his wife has died in a car accident. Riggs is teamed up with veteran cop Murtaugh, who is not happy to have such a liability around. Riggs will get them both killed as far as he is concerned and they both investigate an apparent suicide of a former soldier now working for a security company.

McG introduces an exciting car chase sequence with footage mixed with a grand prix race, a bit Fast and Furious. Initially both actors playing Riggs and Murtaugh have a good rapport and the first episode was an easy watch.