Latest news with #LethalWeapon
Telegraph
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
The Goonies is an entire generation's favourite film. Shame it's not very good
When I started at university more years ago than I care to remember, one of the time-honoured ways of breaking the ice, after comparing what A-levels you'd done and where you'd been on your gap year, was discussing the films that you'd grown up watching as a child. For my generation, this meant pictures released largely in the Eighties and the early Nineties. Sometimes these were age-appropriate – Star Wars and Indiana Jones and the like – and sometimes they were not. (I was astonished at how many people had seen Halloween and Nightmare On Elm Street at very young and impressionable ages.) Yet one picture, above all, stood out. Everyone had seen – and apparently loved – The Goonies. When the Richard Donner -directed family adventure film was first released 40 years ago, it came out to an appropriate amount of hype and expectation. Although Donner was a well-regarded journeyman director who was best known for making the first Superman film – which is amusingly homaged in one scene – and would go on to be responsible for all the Lethal Weapon films, it was mainly promoted, and regarded, as a Steven Spielberg film. Although Spielberg is only credited as executive producer and originator of the film's story, his fingerprints are all over the finished picture and so many have considered it (along with Tobe Hooper's Poltergeist) an honorary entry into that director's distinguished canon. It was a decent box office hit on release, grossing $125 million on a budget of $19 million. Granted, this was not nearly as much as the other Spielberg-produced blockbusters of the decade – Gremlins made $213 million, Back To The Future a staggering $389 million – but it was intended predominantly as a children's film and promoted and marketed as such. It had no well-known actors in it – although several of the young cast would go on to become stars, including Josh Brolin and Sean Astin – and was not based on an existing book or television series, nor was it a sequel to anything else. Reviews were kind but hardly laudatory, and under normal circumstances it would have been fondly regarded but something of an also-ran. Instead, The Goonies has continued to lead an ongoing existence as one of the most beloved films of its decade, if not all time. A 2009 poll suggested that it was the Eighties picture that most fans wanted to see remade (followed by Labyrinth and Top Gun), and in 2017, it enjoyed the honour of being selected by the Library of Congress for the National Film Registry as 'culturally, aesthetically or historically significant.' It has had numerous pop culture allusions – most recently in Deadpool 2, when the antagonist Cable (played by Goonies star Josh Brolin) is sardonically referred to as 'One-Eyed Willie', the name of the legendary pirate from the picture – and the band the Fratellis named themselves after the film's bumbling villains. In February this year, after years of speculation, a sequel was announced, to be scripted by Potsy Ponciroli and produced by Steven Spielberg once again. One of its stars, Corey Feldman, recently commented: 'All I can say is, get us all together. Everybody is looking good. Sean's looking good. Josh is looking good. We're all looking good still, and we're all alive. Goonies never say die…There's hope.' But The Goonies has already been remade, really, in the form of the JJ Abrams film Super 8, the Netflix hit Stranger Things, or the recent Star Wars series Skeleton Crew, which sent four tykes across the galaxy in search of adventure. It is, in other words, an acknowledged and much-loved classic of cinema. So why, then, did a recent rewatch of The Goonies, to mark its 40th anniversary, leave me feeling not so much disappointed as indifferent, and bemused by the adulation that it continues to receive? There's nothing wrong with the picture as such, bar a mediocre sound design that means that it's often impossible to hear the dialogue of the various children shouting at one another. But it's also merely a serviceable, unchallenging piece of entertainment that seems bland and uninspired when compared to the other Spielberg-produced pictures from the same period. It nods towards the tedium of suburban life and how its youthful denizens look for adventure, but then does little with its own concept. It is not hard to see why it became a cult picture for audiences that grew up on it at an impressionable age, and hope that their own children would thrill to it, too. But in an era where we have far more sophisticated family viewing – The Wild Robot, Paddington 2 and Wonka, to name but three, come to mind – it may be time to accept that the nostalgic love that many bear for The Goonies is not based on any especial merits that the film has, but for their own childhood. And this is where a rather wider issue comes to hand. There are many films from the Eighties which have acquired a dubious degree of nostalgic affection over the past few decades despite not being very good. Sometimes, there is an ill-fated attempt to embrace this by remaking them; for instance, the dreadful 1984 Commies-invade-America action film Red Dawn was turned into an equally dreadful 2012 picture, proving that it was a poor idea in the first and second place alike. On other occasions, you have insanely belated sequels that manage to jettison most of what was charming or interesting about the picture in the first place. Beverly Hills Cop took cinema by storm when it came out in 1984 and made a fortune. By the time that the fourth in the series, Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, was released last year, the kind of teenagers who had thrilled to the exploits of Eddie Murphy in the first picture would now be in their mid-50s, if not older. Sometimes, Eighties pictures are simply terrible, and have been misremembered as being better than they are because of the kind of tiresomely ironic nostalgia that sees people turn up at cinemas to shout out dialogue from mediocre movies while dressed up as the characters. Revisiting St Elmo's Fire recently, I realised that a dreadful, self-important and navel-gazing picture has been given undue attention partly because of a cast who (in some cases, at least) went onto better and greater things, but partly also because someone, somewhere decided that the film was worthy of memorialising with a high-profile documentary about its actors. It does not make the original film better, but what it does is to continue its prominence in popular culture. Actors are as prone to this kind of false memory syndrome as fans, too. When the Tom Cruise racing drama Days of Thunder came out in 1990, it was swiftly (and rightly) dismissed as a failed attempt to remake Top Gun with fast cars. Now, however, Cruise has decided that, rather than a boring and overwrought piece of flash, the picture is an underrated masterpiece that merits its own sequel, three and a half decades later. He is wrong, but like many of his other pictures from this period, there is a yawning gulf between the quality of the original film and the false memory that its admirers have of it. (What next, Far and Away 2?) There are genuinely great films from the Eighties and early Nineties that heartily deserve their cult status, and stand up extremely well today, from the Indiana Jones films and Back to the Future to Blade Runner and Ferris Bueller's Day Off. All of these are eminently rewatchable and worthy of all the plaudits that they have received, and continue to receive, because of their wit, originality and chutzpah. Yet even here, there has been an unwelcome tendency to besmirch the legacy – there was absolutely no need for the dire, Spielberg-less Dial of Destiny ever to exist – and persistent rumours about forthcoming remakes, spin-offs and the like just show what a dire state contemporary Hollywood is in when it comes to intellectual property. If and when The Goonies gets a sequel, no doubt it will send a whole new generation back to the original. They may well be underwhelmed by it. But this will not stop the first tranche of its fans believing – despite the obvious evidence to the contrary – that it is a great picture. For them, that is all that matters. As Thomas Wolfe so famously wrote, 'you can never go home again'. Perhaps rewatching this silly, loud and endearingly goofy film is as close as many of its fans will ever get to going home once more themselves.
Perth Now
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Mel Gibson reveals the reason behind Lethal Weapon 5 delay
The fifth 'Lethal Weapon' movie has been stuck in development hell because "the studios are having a lot of problems", Mel Gibson has said. The 69-year-old actor is set to reprise his role as LA police officer Martin Riggs as well as direct the long-awaited sequel, though Gibson has revealed Warner Bros. has been facing internal issues that have slowed development down - despite the next 'Lethal Weapon' having "a really good screenplay". Speaking to Screen Rant, he said: "For some reason, the studios are having a lot of problems. I don't know what the deal is. 'I'm not sure what the problem is, but it is a really good screenplay." 'The Passion of the Christ' director teased that the fifth 'Lethal Weapon' movie was the best entry in the series, and described it as "a lot of fun" and "really emotional". He said: "I sat down with a writer and we did two or three drafts of screenplays and it came out pretty good. In fact, I think it's the best of all of them. It's a lot of fun and got really emotional." Gibson has starred opposite Danny Glover in the 'Lethal Weapon' franchise since its debut in 1987, with the late Richard Donner helming the series behind the camera until the latest entry 'Lethal Weapon 4' in 1998. However, since Donner's passing in 2021 at the age of 91, the Oscar-winning filmmaker has picked up directing duties for the fifth 'Lethal Weapon'. The 'Mad Max' star said during an appearance on the 'Inspire Me' podcast: "I'm going to direct the fifth film in the Lethal Weapon series. "Richard Donner, who did the other four, sadly passed away and he was a good friend. He kind of tasked me with carrying the flag home on that one so it'll be an honour for me to do that." Gibson and the creative team for the fifth 'Lethal Weapon' movie have been building on a script written by the late Donner. He said: "We've used what was there and we kept kind of poking at it and working at it. I'm pretty happy with it. It's good, I had a lot of fun doing it. "It's funny, but it's pretty serious too. It tackles a couple of hard issues. I'm looking forward to it." As well as Gibson's Martin Riggs, Glover's Roger Murtaugh is also confirmed to be returning for the fifth 'Lethal Weapon'. Gibson previously revealed that changes behind the scenes at Warner Bros. had caused delays on the next 'Lethal Weapon', and said at the time he hoped the movie would start shooting at the beginning of 2025 - though the flick is yet to enter production. The 'Braveheart' actor explained: "The only delay is now with all the shake-up at Warners, with Discovery coming in and the new boss, and they chop everyone else up and throw them away and get new people. "It always takes time for these companies to regroup, so that's been a delay, but I'm pretty confident we'll get this one up on its feet, probably shoot it in the first quarter of the New Year."
New York Post
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
‘Lethal Weapon' co-stars Mel Gibson, 69, and Danny Glover, 78, reunite ahead of fifth installment
They're not too old for this s–t! 'Lethal Weapon' co-stars Mel Gibson, 69, and Danny Glover, 78, reminded fans of the iconic catchphrase featured in all four films when they reunited over the weekend, 38 years after the first movie launched. Their reunion happened at a fan expo in Philadelphia, where the legendary duo fielded questions about the long-delayed fifth 'Lethal Weapon' installment. Gibson is directing the flick, and Glover agreed to reprise his role as Detective Roger Murtaugh, who famously claimed he was 'too old for this s–t' in each installment. 10 Mel Gibson and Danny Glover reunite at Philadelphia's fan expo. Ouzounova / 10 It's been 38 years since the first film of the franchise. Ouzounova / Glover was joined by Gibson, who plays Murtaugh's unpredictable partner Martin Riggs. The boys appeared happy to be in each other's company, smiling while speaking to audience members and seemingly mirroring a famous moment from the fourth blockbuster. Glover dressed in a red shirt, black pants, a brown suit jacket and a baseball cap, rocked his grey facial hair and reached over to grab Gibson's hand in what appeared to be an homage to a scene in 1994's 'Lethal Weapon 4.' 10 The pair looked older but acted as if no time had passed. Shutterstock 10 Danny Glover and Mel Gibson in 1998's 'Lethal Weapon 4.' Andrew Cooper/Warner Bros/Kobal/Shutterstock In the movie, the mischievous men shake each other's hands after they are informed they've been shockingly promoted to captains, despite leaving destruction behind everywhere they go. Unfortunately, Gibson must not have gotten the memo because the guys fist-bumped, missing the mark on the iconic reenactment opportunity. The actor-turned-director kept it casual in a black polo shirt, jeans and navy-colored Crocs for the weekend outing. Just like Glover, Gibson, too, sported his grey locks and facial hair, showing just how much time has passed since the franchise's first film in 1987. 10 Danny Glover at the fan expo. Ouzounova / 10 Mel Gibson at the fan expo. Ouzounova / 10 'Lethal Weapon 3' movie poster. Snap/Shutterstock Gibson and Glover have reunited several times over the years, most recently in February at the MegaCon fan convention in Orlando. News of a 'Lethal Weapon 5' was confirmed by producer Dan Lin in 2020 during a roundtable interview with The Hollywood Reporter. However, Richard Donner, who directed all four 'Lethal Weapon' films, died in July 2021 at age 91. Months later, Gibson shared that Donner had previously requested that the actor direct the project if he wasn't around to do so. 10 Mel Gibson and Danny Glover in 'Lethal Weapon 2.' 10 Danny Glover, Mel Gibson in 1992's 'Lethal Weapon 3.' ©Warner Bros/courtesy Everett Co 10 Danny Glover, Mel Gibson in 1987's 'Lethal Weapon.' Warner Bros 'He was developing the screenplay and he got pretty far along with it. And he said to me one day, 'Listen kid, if I kick the bucket you will do it.' And I said, 'Shut up,'' Gibson said in November 2011. 'But he did indeed pass away. But he did ask me to do it and at the time I didn't say anything. He said it to his wife and to the studio and the producer. So I will be directing the fifth one.' In 2022, Gibson expressed he had mixed thoughts about directing 'Lethal Weapon 5.' 'I wish I wasn't directing it. I wish Richard Donner was still here to do it but left us untimely, and he actually asked me, he said, 'Hey kid, if I don't make it, you'll take the reins, huh?' I told him to shut up.' He added, 'I think it's an honour for me to be able to carry the flag for him.' Gibson also shared that he asked Glover for his blessing. 'I called Danny [Glover] up, of course, and said, 'Hey, dude, is it okay with you if I direct this?' to which Glover replied, 'Yeah, let's go.''
Daily Mail
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Never too old for this s**t! Mel Gibson, 69, reunites with Lethal Weapon co-star Donald Glover, 78, at Q&A - 38 years after launching film franchise
It was a catchphrase that followed them across four blockbuster films, but Lethal Weapon stars Mel Gibson and Danny Glover were evidently not too old for this s**t as they reunited on Saturday. The co-stars were onstage at a fan expo in Philadelphia, during which they fielded questions about the hugely successful film franchise and its previously announced and long delayed fifth instalment, which will be directed by Gibson. Glover, 78 - whose Detective Roger Murtaugh famously claimed he was 'too old for this s**t' in all four Lethal Weapon instalments - was back in the spotlight some three years after his last screen appearance in 2022 black comedy American Dreamer. Joining the veteran star, Gibson, 69 - Murtagh's unpredictable and highly volatile partner Martin Riggs - showed off an enormous, greying beard as he took to his seat at the Pennsylvania Convention Center during Saturday's expo. Gibson previously confirmed that long-time co-star Danny will make an appearance in the latest film, reprising his role as LAPD Sergeant Murtaugh. The Australian star also told how he asked for Glover's blessing to direct the movie following the death of director Richard Donner - who took charge of the first four films. Reiterating his intention to direct the feature in 2022, Gibson told Entertainment Tonight: 'Yeah, I am directing that. I'm really looking forward to it.' The star went on to add that his place behind the camera was bittersweet following the death of Donner in 2021. He added: 'I wish I wasn't directing it. I wish Richard Donner was still here to do it but left us untimely, and he actually asked me, he said "Hey kid, if I don't make it, you'll take the reins, huh?" I told him to shut up. 'I think it's an honour for me to be able to carry the flag for him'. And after getting Richard's blessing, Gibson told how he then turned to Glover to ask his thoughts on him directing, also confirming that his former co-star had agreed to reprise his iconic role. Gibson added: 'I called Danny [Glover] up, of course, and said "Hey, dude, is it okay with you if I direct this?", to which Glover replied "Yeah, let's go". He also insisted on having complete faith in Glover, adding: 'I know Danny's going to pull it off real well, too. He's kind of like the show pony in this one'. Gibson made the big announcement about the new film in 2021, where he began his address by paying tribute to the filmmaker who had previously spearheaded the action-comedy franchise. Mel Gibson in Philadelphia on Saturday (left) and playing Detective Martin Riggs in 1989 film Lethal Weapon 2 (right) 'The man who directed all the Lethal films, Richard Donner, he was a big guy,' he expressed. Gibson also recalled that the filmmaker had given him his blessing to continue the series in the future. He remarked that Donner 'was developing the screenplay and he got pretty far along with it. And he said to me one day, "Listen kid, if I kick the bucket you will do it." And I said: "Shut up."' Gibson then noted that the filmmaker made a point of telling various individuals that the actor was more than capable of keeping the franchise going after his death. 'But he did indeed pass away. But he did ask me to do it and at the time I didn't say anything. He said it to his wife and to the studio and the producer. So I will be directing the fifth one.' It's understood that plans to shoot the new film are now underway after years of delays, with original screenwriter Shane Black also onboard. The film franchise also spawned a TV series, which ran for three seasons for 2021 with Clayne Crawford as Riggs and Damon Wayans as Murtaugh.
The Sun
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
The TV channels that have disappeared from or been added to all Sky and Virgin Media boxes in April
THESE are the TV channels that will be affected by the shake-up on Sky and Virgin boxes in April. A couple of channels will be added to the boxes and one will completely disappear. 2 2 Both Virgin Media and Sky shared information about the changes on their respective sites. Virgin Media announced that all Virgin TV customers with their Stream box will have access to Rakuten Top Movies (CH 446) and Rakuten TV Action (CH 447.) Rakuten Top Movies offers a range of films from box office to hidden indie gems. The streaming platform's leaderboard also gives viewers a snapshot of what everyone's watching, renting, and raving about. Big hits like Oppenheimer and Barbie are played alongside surprise indie standouts. For those more interested in action, Rakuten TV Action has some content ready for viewers wanting a thrill. The library features a mix of classics like Die Hard and Lethal Weapon, alongside newer hits like John Wick and Extraction. Sky also announced that it would be closing a popular channel. From April 10, Sky History+1 (Satellite 223 (224 Scotland)) will be closing permanently. The channel featured a line-up of historical documentaries, biopics, and series exploring a range of content from the Roman Empire to Cold War espionage. For those who forgot to tune in the first time, Sky History+1 had a 60-minute delay – perfect for when you realised you missed the start. These aren't the only changes that came about and in February the boxes announced another set of changes. Virgin Media announced the updated ways to watch "all the great sporting action" after Eurosport 1 and Eurosport 2 stopped streaming in the UK. This move occurred at the end of February, leading Virgin Media to switch up their channels. The broadcaster rearranged various sporting channels to avoid missing out on major events. Eurosport's content has found a new home after a merger with another popular sports network. Events such as the Australian Open and Roland-Garros tennis, Grand Tour cycling, the UCI Mountain Bike World Series will be moving to TNT Sports. Viewers can also find every major winter sports World Championship and World Cup event, British and World Superbikes, snooker, and the Olympic Games 2026-2032 on TNT going forward. This is just the start - more changes ahead Analysis by Jamie Harris, Assistant Technology and Science Editor at The Sun Broadcasting is going through an almighty shift at the moment with the push toward streaming at a key point. Eurosport and TNT Sports owner Warner Bros Discovery is making some big changes next year. And it's likely Discovery+ will disappear as a result. The streaming service has closed in several countries already to make way for a replacement, Max, bringing HBO and Discovery content under one roof. The UK is one of the few big markets where Max hasn't launched yet because of existing agreements with Sky, allowing Sky Atlantic to air big HBO-made hits like Game of Thrones and The White Lotus. But the pair recently announced a new deal that will pave the way for Max's launch in the UK early 2026 as a standalone app, while Sky customers will get access at no extra cost. So expect even bigger changes in the TV and streaming world next year.
