I have to admit I cringed at the idea, when it was first announced, that they were turning the legendary 'Lethal Weapon' movies into a TV series. I always loved Lethal Weapon and thought that some things (Like Lethal Weapon) should be left alone. But, I was at the same time curious upon watching the previews before the first episode even aired and decided to give it a try.
First of all let me say, that after watching episode 1 of the first season, both my and my girlfriend were hooked. The pilot episode has to be good enough to want to continue watching the show. My girlfriend, whom I just introduced 'Lethal Weapon (The Movies)' for the first time in her life about a month before the airing of the 1rst episode was equally impressed.
I was most impressed by the synergy between Clayne Crawford (Whom I admit never heard of before) and Daman Wayans (Who played Roger Murtaugh). I think that this is the best role I've ever seen Wayans play and Crawford played a really good Martin Riggs. My Skepticism that a good old fashioned tag team cop/action/comedy show would go down well these days was proven wrong.
Yes, there are some similarities to the plot in comparison to the movies, but what works for this TV series is that it's not exactly verbatim. Yes, Riggs is still portrayed as an out of control and somewhat crazy cop. Murtaugh is still the family man old timer. Riggs still lives by the beach in a trailer and Murtaugh in the family middle class house. But the story development around those constants is slightly different, which makes the show all the more interesting.
They even had a small role for Leo Geotz (Played by Joe Pesci in the movies) and while they still depicted him as a pain in the ass, they made some major alterations to his character which worked. Basically the main plot of Season 1 is Riggs desperately seeking the truth to as how his wife really died. Like the movie, Riggs resorts to a semi-suicidal alcoholism who just didn't seem to care about the consequences to the way he conducted himself as a cop. Murtaugh of course, being the elder cop (Like the movies) always had his back, even when he knew it might blow up in his face.
What also is a big plus of this series is the action sequences. Choreographed way better than the movies, there is plenty of explosions, fight scenes and shoot em ups to go around. Interject some humor in that mix and it just makes for a very entertaining show. After midway through Season One, I thought that the show definitely deserves a Season 2 and I would have been pretty bummed if they weren't given that. Thank God they did.
I watched Season 2, Episode 1 last night and the show maintained it's incredible addictive energy. So far it seems, Season 2 is off to a great start. They upped the humor and even made greater, the chemistry between cast members. If things keep up this way, I don't see any reason why a Season 3 can't happen as long as the show maintains it's viewership.
First of all let me say, that after watching episode 1 of the first season, both my and my girlfriend were hooked. The pilot episode has to be good enough to want to continue watching the show. My girlfriend, whom I just introduced 'Lethal Weapon (The Movies)' for the first time in her life about a month before the airing of the 1rst episode was equally impressed.
I was most impressed by the synergy between Clayne Crawford (Whom I admit never heard of before) and Daman Wayans (Who played Roger Murtaugh). I think that this is the best role I've ever seen Wayans play and Crawford played a really good Martin Riggs. My Skepticism that a good old fashioned tag team cop/action/comedy show would go down well these days was proven wrong.
Yes, there are some similarities to the plot in comparison to the movies, but what works for this TV series is that it's not exactly verbatim. Yes, Riggs is still portrayed as an out of control and somewhat crazy cop. Murtaugh is still the family man old timer. Riggs still lives by the beach in a trailer and Murtaugh in the family middle class house. But the story development around those constants is slightly different, which makes the show all the more interesting.
They even had a small role for Leo Geotz (Played by Joe Pesci in the movies) and while they still depicted him as a pain in the ass, they made some major alterations to his character which worked. Basically the main plot of Season 1 is Riggs desperately seeking the truth to as how his wife really died. Like the movie, Riggs resorts to a semi-suicidal alcoholism who just didn't seem to care about the consequences to the way he conducted himself as a cop. Murtaugh of course, being the elder cop (Like the movies) always had his back, even when he knew it might blow up in his face.
What also is a big plus of this series is the action sequences. Choreographed way better than the movies, there is plenty of explosions, fight scenes and shoot em ups to go around. Interject some humor in that mix and it just makes for a very entertaining show. After midway through Season One, I thought that the show definitely deserves a Season 2 and I would have been pretty bummed if they weren't given that. Thank God they did.
I watched Season 2, Episode 1 last night and the show maintained it's incredible addictive energy. So far it seems, Season 2 is off to a great start. They upped the humor and even made greater, the chemistry between cast members. If things keep up this way, I don't see any reason why a Season 3 can't happen as long as the show maintains it's viewership.
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