Movie Profile: LETHAL WEAPON 3 (1992)
| Attribute | Details |
| Title | Lethal Weapon 3 |
| Release Date | May 15, 1992 |
| Director | Richard Donner |
| Writers | Jeffrey Boam, Robert Mark Kamen (Story by Jeffrey Boam) |
| Genre | Action, Comedy, Crime |
| Runtime | 118 minutes |
| Box Office | $321.7 million (Worldwide) |
| Distributor | Warner Bros. Pictures |
| Lead Cast |
• Mel Gibson (Martin Riggs) • Danny Glover (Roger Murtaugh) • Rene Russo (Lorna Cole) • Joe Pesci (Leo Getz) • Stuart Wilson (Jack Travis) • Steve Kahan (Captain Ed Murphy) |
Trailer
Plot Overview
Los Angeles LAPD detectives Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson) and Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover)—who is just one week away from retirement—find themselves demoted to beat cops after accidentally triggering a bomb in a city building.
While on patrol, they foil an armored car robbery and discover a ring of criminals selling illegal “cop killer” armor-piercing bullets and confiscated automatic weapons on the streets. The mastermind behind the operation is Jack Travis (Stuart Wilson), a ruthless, corrupt former LAPD detective.
Reinstated as detectives, Riggs and Murtaugh team up with Lorna Cole (Rene Russo), a tough-as-nails Internal Affairs sergeant who matches Riggs in combat skills, risk-taking, and scar stories. Guided by chaotic advice from their returning real estate friend Leo Getz (Joe Pesci), the trio races across Los Angeles to shut down Travis’s illegal weapons ring before Murtaugh can reach his long-awaited retirement day.
Key Themes & Production Highlights
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Introduction of Lorna Cole: Rene Russo’s addition introduced a romantic and physical equal to Mel Gibson’s Martin Riggs, leading to the famous “battle of the scars” scene.
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Massive Box Office Success: Became the highest-grossing film in the Lethal Weapon franchise, pulling in over $320 million worldwide and cementing its status as a quintessential ’90s summer blockbuster.
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Signature Action Comedy: Perfectly balanced director Richard Donner’s high-octane explosions and stunt work with the crackling chemistry between Gibson and Glover.