CHARACTER IN FOCUS: Lorna Cole, from "Lethal Weapon 3" and "Lethal Weapon 4" (Part 2)

Rene, Mel and Danny ready to beat the Chinese gang in Lethal Weapon 4 (1998)
(pic - Warner Bros. Pictures)

If in Lethal Weapon 3 (1992) was focused on the gun dealers, the following movie of the franchise, in Lethal Weapon 4 (1998) was focused on Riggs, Lorna and Murtaugh against the Chinese gang lead by the Triad negotiator Wah Sing Ku (Jet Li, in his first Hollywood movie). And now LW4 counts along with Detective Lee Butters, played by Chris Rock, known in comedies like Nurse Betty (2000) and What to Expect What You're Expecting (2012). 

Rene Russo in 1998. (picture - Archive)

Now on LW4, Lorna is pregnant of Riggs (Mel Gibson), and she won't have that baby without marriage. What impressed me of Rene in this movie is when Ms. Cole-Riggs fought against the Chinese gang, and even pregnant, and this scene proved that Lorna has lots of courage and persistance.

Lorna Cole kidnapped by the Chinese in Lethal Weapon 4. (pic - Warner Bros Pictures)

At the end of LW4, after Wah Sing Ku's death in a battle with Riggs, him and Lorna marry in the hospital, just before her baby was born... and after Lorna's and Rianne (Traci Wolfe)'s babies were born, the Riggs family were happily ever after.

In a recent interview on People Magazine in 2017, Rene Russo told that doing Lethal Weapon 3 & 4 was very fun, and also that Mel Gibson (along with Pierce Brosnan and Kevin Costner) was a very good kisser. 

Hope u like it.
loveuguys.
xoxoxo
ME

CHARACTER IN FOCUS: Lorna Cole, from "Lethal Weapon 3" and "Lethal Weapon 4” (Part 1)

Rene Russo in action... ! (pic - Warner Bros. Pictures)

Everybody knows that Lorna Cole is one her best characters of Rene Russo's acting career (along with Catherine Banning from Thomas Crown Affair and Kate Mullen from Ransom), and she would only enter on the third movie from the franchise Lethal Weapon. Besides Lorna being of the Internal Affairs section of L.A.Police Department, she's also dedicated, romantic and chic at the same time. And believe me, Lorna Cole is way better than Sarah Connor from Terminator 2 (1991), and Thelma and Louise (1991). Rene Russo proves her femininity in this movie. 

Rene Russo and Mel Gibson working together as a team...
(pic - Warner Bros. Pictures)

For many viewers, in 1992, it was a surprise when a woman sprung into action and showed she could fight as hard as a man. We take it for granted now, which is a positive side effect of the decades of action heroines we’ve enjoyed since. I suppose the trailer probably gave it away that Lorna could fight but I was still waiting for the full fight scene in the movie.

After half a movie of bickering with Riggs, this is also where Lorna proves she’s not just the sequel’s “girl of the week.” Riggs had a tragic love life full of women he couldn’t protect. While that was a macho ’80s idea of gender roles, a third victim lover probably would’ve driven Riggs to finally complete his suicide. Riggs needed a woman who didn’t need his protection, who could protect herself and go on the offensive. The world needed that too and Lorna Cole was there.

Rene Russo and Mel Gibson comparing their scratches...
(pic - Warner Bros Pictures.)

Riggs is genuinely smitten by Lorna. That was also revolutionary for a man not to be threatened by a powerful independent woman, and to celebrate her on top of that. The real subversive twist is not that Lorna can fight, but that Riggs recognizes that’s what he’s been missing in his love life. She also loves The Three Stooges so she’s perfect for Riggs.

When she fights, there are some good stunt double moves too. Today it would be an actress training for a few routines but this is a good mix of Russo and some pros making Lorna even more amazing. 

While Joe Pesci's Leo Getz lost space in Lethal Weapon 3, it was also for Rene Russo and Lorna Cole to shine bright !

The next part will be available on April 29.

hope u like it !

loveuguys!
xoxoxo

ME

Lethal Weapon 4 (MOVIE REVIEW)

The entire team is all here in Lethal Weapon 4. 
(credits - Warner Bros. Pictures)

Director - Richard Donner.

Produced by: Richard Donner & Joel Silver.

Written by: Channing Gibson, Jonathan Lemkin, Alfred Gough & Miles Millar.

Main Cast:

Mel Gibson ----- Martin Riggs

Danny Glover ---- Roger Murtaugh

Rene Russo ---- Lorna Cole-Riggs

Joe Pesci ----- Leo Getz

Chris Rock ---- Detective Lee Butters

Jet Li ----- Wah Sing Ku

Darlene Love ---- Trish Murtaugh 

Traci Wolfe ---- Rianne Murtaugh Butters

Rene Russo's Lorna Cole is kidnapped by Chinese bandits...
(credits - Warner Bros. Pictures)

Release Date: July 10, 1998 (USA) / July 24, 1998 (Brazil)

Budget/Box Office: US$100-150 million / US$285,4 million (box office success).

Plot Summary: In the last movie of the franchise Lethal Weapon, Riggs (Mel Gibson) is becoming a father and Murtaugh (Danny Glover), a grandfather, when both discover that Lorna (Rene Russo) and Rianne (Traci Wolfe) are pregnant. Due to department's insurance  carrier issues over the two sergeants, Captain Murphy (Steve Kahan) promotes them to captains.

The officers along with Leo Getz (Joe Pesci) come upon a Chinese immigrant smuggling ring after running an ocean-going vessel aground, though the captain of the boat escapes. In the subsequent investigation, Murtaugh finds Hong (Eddy Ko) and his family hiding from US Immigration officers to avoid deportation. Murtaugh offers them shelter in his home, and their families, along with Riggs and Cole, quickly bond. Hong reveals he is looking for his uncle, a skilled engraver, who had paid for their passage to the United States. Riggs discovers that Murtaugh's grandchild is with Detective Lee Butters (Chris Rock), which Murtaugh cannot possibly tolerate as he did not want his daughter to marry a police officer, and that Murtaugh still does not know who the father is due to the family hiding it from him.

Continued investigation of the smuggling ring leads the officers to "Uncle" Benny Chan, a crime boss operating from a Chinatown restaurant. There, they are introduced to high-ranking Triad negotiator Wah Sing Ku (Jet Li). Chan forces them out of his restaurant when the officers show no probable cause. Outside, Riggs spots the escaped captain and tries to give chase but fails to capture him. However, Ku later intercepts the captain and kills him as punishment for attracting the police's attention. Chan and Ku take steps to eliminate all those in on their plans.

Hong is able to contact his uncle, but this leads the Triads to Murtaugh's house. Ku and the Triad thugs kidnap the Hongs, tie up Murtaugh, his family, Riggs and Cole and set the house ablaze. Ping, Hong's grandson, has evaded capture and helps to free the others in time. Though Riggs and Murtaugh chase down and kill some of the Triad, Ku escapes. Ku brings Hong to his uncle at a warehouse, where he has been engraving plates for a counterfeiting operation for Ku and Chan in exchange for transit for his family. Ku kills Hong in front of his uncle to assure his continued work.

Lorna, Riggs and Murtaugh in action...
(pic - Warner Bros. Pictures)

The officers attempt to shake Chan for more information, but are unable to get any leads until they discuss what they know with Detective Ng (Calvin Jung), who has worked on cases involving the Chinese government before. Ng recognizes that Ku must be trying to negotiate with a corrupt Chinese general for the release of the Four Fathers, high-ranking Triad members that include Ku's brother (Conan Lee). New information leads them to the abandoned warehouse where they find the bodies of Hong, his uncle, and Chan, the latter two killed by Ku after they served their usefulness. Knowing that Ku plans to use counterfeit money, the police intercept the exchange between Ku and the general, telling the general the money is fake. A firefight breaks out between the Triad, the general's private army and the police, and most of the Triad and army are killed. Ku attempts to escape with his brother, but his brother is shot and killed by Murtaugh. Riggs and Murtaugh pursue Ku to a pier where they engage him in a brutal fistfight. Murtaugh impales Ku through the stomach before the pier collapses and sends Riggs and Ku into the water. Riggs is able to find a Kalashnikov assault rifle and finish Ku, while Murtaugh arrives in time to help rescue Riggs from a piece of concrete that had pinned him underwater.

Later, Riggs visits his dead wife's grave and asks her for advice about his impending marriage with Lorna, about which he still has doubts; Getz arrives and offers a heartfelt childhood story (where in the process, he admits that Riggs and Murtaugh are like his family) that gives Riggs both a new light on the situation and a new perspective of Getz, himself. They learn Lorna is about to give birth and race to the hospital, where Riggs and Lorna are ceremonially married by a rabbi just before she enters labor. Their son and Rianne's daughter are born, and Murtaugh accepts Butters as his son-in-law. Murphy gives Riggs and Murtaugh their rank of Sergeant back since the city is insured again and Hong's family is granted asylum.

Chris Rock's Lee Butters doing all the instructions to Murtaugh, Lorna and Riggs.
(pic - Warner Bros. Pictures)

Fun Facts about the movie:

• First movie of Chinese actor Jet Li in Hollywood movies. 
• Almost 20 years after Lethal Weapon 4 started, Rene Russo, Mel Gibson and Danny Glover reunited together for a Lethal Weapon 30 Years Special, on 2017. 
• After Lethal Weapon 4, Joe Pesci (Leo Getz) announced his provisory acting retirement. 
• For this movie, Joe Pesci and Chris Rock were hired on the last minute. 
• In the Lethal Weapon 4 premiere moment, Mel Gibson about Rene Russo on Rosie O' Donnell show: "I consider her as my trophy for my crime, when I left... the head !" and showed a Rene pic in her teenage years.
• Still like the other Lethal Weapon movies, Lethal Weapon 4 was among the top 10 grossing films in 1998. 

Critical Reception:

• IMDB: 6,6/10
• Rotten Tomatoes: 52% (mixed reviews).
• Cinemascore: A- (A+ to F)
• Metascore: 37/100

Awards: 

Rene Russo won the "Supporting Actress-Action/Adventure" award on Blockbuster Entertainment Awards in 1999.

Hope u like it. 

loveuguys.

xoxoxo

ME

Lethal Weapon 3 (MOVIE REVIEW)

Poster of Lethal Weapon 3 , starring Mel Gibson, Joe Pesci and Danny Glover.
(credits - Warner Bros. Pictures)

Director: Richard Donner (known as directing some movies, such as Superman, Conspiracy Theory, etc.)

Producer: Richard Donner & Joel Silver.

Writers: Jeffrey Boam & Robert Mark Kamen.

Main Cast:

Mel Gibson ------ Martin Riggs

Danny Glover ----- Roger Murtaugh

Joe Pesci ------ Leo Getz

Rene Russo ---- Lorna Cole

Stuart Wilson ---- Jack Travis

Darlene Love ---- Trish Murtaugh

Traci Wolfe ----- Rianne Murtaugh

Lorna Cole in action !!! #renerussorocks
(credits - Warner Bros. Pictures)

Release Date: May 15, 1992 (USA) / August 7, 1992 (Brazil)

Running Time: 118 min. 

Budget / Box Office: US$ 35 million / US$321,7 million (box office success).

Plot Summary: After trying to defuse a bomb and explode a building, Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson) and Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover) were demoted to uniform duties. The department is further concerned that the thieves were using armor-piercing bullets, informally referred to as "cop killers". Riggs and Murtaugh are re-promoted and assigned to work with Sergeant Lorna Cole (Rene Russo) from internal affairs to track down Travis (Stuart Wilson), who wounded Leo Getz (Joe Pesci) and killed Darryl, a close friend of Nick Murtaugh (Damon Hines).

With Murtaugh emotionally distraught, Riggs goes with Cole to the warehouse, where they successfully overpower Travis' guards and secure his next arms shipment delivery. That night, Riggs and Cole find they have feelings for each other and sleep together. Riggs later goes to Murtaugh, who is still overwhelmed with guilt, and helps to counsel him in time for Darryl's funeral. There, Darryl's father passionately insists that Murtaugh find the person responsible for giving Darryl the gun.

Cole finds that Darryl's gun, the armor-piercing bullets, and the arms they recovered were originally in police custody, meant to be destroyed, and were likely stolen by Travis; they assure that his credentials are completely revoked from the system. They further tie the guns to Tyrone and interrogate him. Tyrone quickly reveals what he knows of Travis' plans, including an auto garage where many of his henchmen work from. Riggs, Murtaugh, and Cole are able to take several of the men into custody there. Meanwhile, Travis finds he cannot use his credentials anymore, and has one of his men hack into the computer system to find another arms storage area. He then forces Captain Murphy (Steve Kahan) under gunpoint to take him to this new facility so he can steal the guns using Murphy's credentials. Cole finds the evidence of hacking and Murphy's absence, and the three, along with a rookie cop who looks up to Riggs and Murtaugh, go to intercept Travis. They are able to rescue Murphy and stop Travis and his men before he can take the weapons, but the rookie is killed as they give chase, and Riggs and Murtaugh vow to stop Travis.

Martin and Lorna comparing scars... best part of the movie <3
(credits - Warner Bros. Pictures)

Getz provides information on a housing development under construction by a company owned by Travis. Getz tries to join them but they shoot his tires out to stop him from coming. Riggs and Murtaugh instead bring Cole along to infiltrate the site at night, and find themselves met by Travis and his men who have been waiting for them. A large-scale gunfight breaks out, in which Riggs sets the construction site on fire and most of Travis' men are killed. Cole appears to be shot by Travis and falls, inciting Riggs. When Travis uses a bulldozer to chase down Riggs, using its blade as a bullet shield, Murtaugh tosses Daryl's gun, now loaded with the armor-piercing bullets, to Riggs, who then shoots and kills Travis through the blade. Cole is found to be alive and safe, having worn two protective vests. Riggs admits his love for her as she is taken away in a chopper.

The next day, Murtaugh's family are celebrating his retirement, when Murtaugh reveals to Getz that he has decided to not sell the house and stay with the force, preserving his partnership with Riggs. As the film ends, Riggs announces to Murtaugh that he and Cole are in a relationship.

Rene Russo always stylish and concentrated in scene.
(credits - Warner Bros. Pictures)

Fun Facts:

•  Some places the movie was taken place were in Orlando and St. Petersburg, Florida, as well in Lancaster, California.
• Russo received martial arts training for a month before shooting from Cheryl Wheeler-Dixon, who had a karate background and was a former kickboxing champion, and Wheeler-Dixon was also her stunt double.
• Also one of the three movies Mel Gibson and Rene Russo worked together. They also worked later, on Ransom (1996) and Lethal Weapon 4 (1998).
• The movie was also released in a Pinball version. 
• Lethal Weapon 3 was the second most successful summer movie in 1992 (after Batman Returns) and the fifth most profittable movie in that year.

Critical Reception:

• IMDB: 6,7/10
• Rotten Tomatoes: 57% (mixed to positive, 44 reviews)
• Metascore: 40/100
• CinemaScore: A - (from "A+" to "F")

Awards and Nominations:

• Mel Gibson and Rene Russo were nominated for "Best Kiss" in MTV Movie Awards 1993.

Hope u like it.

Loveuguys.

xoxoxo

ME