This is the review of
2016 TV series, ‘Lethal Weapon’, that is based on the movie with same name,
that was released in 1987, starring Mel Gibson and Danny Glover, playing suicidal
cop Martin Riggs and about to retire roger Murtaugh.
If you are young, who
have not seen these movies, well, you will have to see these movies first, to
enjoy this latest TV series.
It is always difficult
for TV series based on movies. Unlike fresh series, these series have to maintain
that flow and feeling of the original movie or series, and at the same time, it
must be done in an interesting manner…..often, while doing so, the writers
concentrate so much on ‘doing the same thing differently’ , that a good work
ends with poor ratings.
Lethal Weapon 2016, The TV series....fresh, promising!
The movie, ‘Lethal
Weapon’ came in 1987. Followed by three more. The series ended with fourth
movie in 1998. Brilliantly directed by Richard Donner.
Mel Gibson, wonderfully
played the suicidal cop, in the 1987 movie. The brave cop, Martin Riggs, with
‘Lethal’ death wish was the soul of the movie. Without Martin Riggs, the movie
would have been just another buddy cop movie. Danny Glover was also very good
as Murtaugh, but that is not the issue here.
Before I write anything
further, an interesting sidebar…. Remember ‘Sadak’? Starring Sanay Dutt? It was
major hit back when it was released and was one of the highest grossing movie
of that year…..I am sure you all vividly remember the scene where suicidal
Sanju puts the gun in his mouth, and tries to kill himself….Well, the entire
scene was taken from 87 movie.
There were other scenes,
directly copied or ‘inspired’ from LW, in Sadak…..
The point is, that LW
1987was a very good movie with powerful performance from Gibson as suicidal
Martin Riggs…..recreating the same magic was a tough challenge.
As I begin watching the
first episode of this latest TV series, the only thing I was excited about was
who is playing Martin Riggs…..and weather the actor, known or unknown would be
able to create that magic that Gibson created in 87.
Clayne Crawford, who plays Riggs, does it. He does it
wonderfully in fact. You would wanna see next episode just to see more of him. His
job was tough, as he had to overcome an already established, successful character,
played by a very powerful actor.
Which is good news. We
will now have one really good cop series, with many episodes and hopefully many
seasons. Damon Wayans is good as Roger Murtaugh, but in pilot episode, his wife
Trish’s character is stronger.
It is long way, for him,
and for entire series. I have seen good series ending after a single season of
thirteen episodes. Let us hope that does not happen to this one…..
Himanshu (Arjun) Padhya
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