Lethal Weapon 4
Warner Bros. Pictures | Release Date: July 10, 1998 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
39
METASCORE
Generally unfavorable reviews based on 21 Critic Reviews
Positive:
7
Mixed:
8
Negative:
6
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
80
The New York TimesJanet Maslin
The characters remain funny and likable, and they all live on Earth. Read full review
80
VarietyLeonard Klady
The quintessence of the buddy cop pic, "LW4" is big on action, playful banter and just enough plot to keep our attention from wandering. Read full review
75
San Francisco ChronicleMick LaSalle
One could argue about which "Lethal Weapon'' is the best, but No. 4 is certainly the funniest, warmest and most idiosyncratic. Read full review
75
San Francisco ExaminerBarbara Shulgasser
I think the script by television writer Channing Gibson (no relation) is the funniest of them all. Read full review
75
ReelViewsJames Berardinelli
It's a calculated formula for success, and makes for entertaining viewing, but those expecting something with the spark of the first two pictures may be disappointed. Read full review
70
L.A. WeeklyPaul Malcolm
The old hands still seem to be having a good time, so why the hell shouldnít we? Read full review
63
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Liam Lacey
This movie is exceptionally brutal, cruel, savage and without conscience -- and that's just the comic parts. In contrast, the violent action sequences are quite entertaining. Read full review
60
NewsweekDavid Ansen
Richard Donner's sequel is more than eager to please -- it's desperate. Read full review
60
Chicago ReaderLisa Alspector
Danny Glover and Mel Gibson make a gently contrasted (and nicely self-reflexive) odd couple in this action-comedy sequel. Read full review
60
EmpireAndrew Collins
Part 4, to its credit, is the noisiest. Disappointingly, it's also the worst: not bad, just not as good. Read full review
50
Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert
Lethal Weapon 4 has all the technical skill of the first three movies in the series, but lacks the secret weapon, which was conviction. Read full review
50
Film ThreatRon Wells
Don't get your expectations up, but "LW4" is a decent enough date film. Read full review
50
Entertainment WeeklyLisa Schwarzbaum
At the Lethal Weapon plant, what you see, after 11 years, are the rusting remnants of a once innovative model. Read full review
50
Christian Science MonitorDavid Sterritt
The movie has homophobic touches, though, and with so many Asian characters, some viewers may wonder why every single one is portrayed as either a hapless victim or a wicked villain. Read full review
40
The New YorkerBruce Diones
It's take-the-money-and-run filmmaking, with the actors practically winking their dialogue at each other, and it's all supposed to be tongue-in-cheek fun. It isn't. Read full review
20
TV Guide MagazineMaitland McDonagh
Cynical and contemptuous of its audience, this lazy sequel oozes an insufferable air of self-satisfaction. Read full review
10
Washington PostStephen Hunter
The most lethal weapon of all turns out to be the script. Read full review
10
The A.V. ClubStephen Thompson
It's a dead end to a franchise that should have been put to rest two movies ago. Read full review
0
Los Angeles TimesKenneth Turan
The result is a calculated, cynical piece of business that epitomizes the creative bankruptcy and contempt for the audience that infects so much of the blockbuster side of Hollywood. Read full review
0
Austin ChronicleMarc Savlov
Not only is the franchise growing hoary, by now it's become downright laughable, leaving Lethal Weapon 4 feeling more like a bad Fox sitcom than anything else. Read full review
0
Washington PostMichael O'Sullivan
A stupid and violent delicacy, congealed nachos and Mountain Dew for the Beavis-and-Butt-head set. Read full review
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