Lethal Weapon 4
With personal crises and age weighing in on them, Riggs and Murtaugh must contend with deadly Chinese triads trying to free their former leaders from prison and onto American soil.
Despite a significant budget of $140.0M, Lethal Weapon 4 became a solid performer, earning $285.4M worldwide—a 104% return.
4 wins & 11 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Lethal Weapon 4 (1998) demonstrates strategically placed narrative design, characteristic of Richard Donner's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 7 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.3, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Martin Riggs
Roger Murtaugh
Lee Butters
Lorna Cole
Wah Sing Ku
Leo Getz
Trish Murtaugh
Main Cast & Characters
Martin Riggs
Played by Mel Gibson
Aging detective dealing with impending fatherhood while battling Chinese smugglers. Wild, unpredictable, but mellowing with family life.
Roger Murtaugh
Played by Danny Glover
Family man detective on the verge of retirement who struggles with aging and becoming a grandfather while keeping up with his younger partner.
Lee Butters
Played by Chris Rock
LAPD detective and Riggs's new brother-in-law, struggling to keep his family's illegal immigration status secret while working the case.
Lorna Cole
Played by Rene Russo
Internal affairs officer and Riggs's pregnant girlfriend who balances being tough and professional with her changing life circumstances.
Wah Sing Ku
Played by Jet Li
Ruthless and skilled Chinese Triad enforcer who orchestrates a slave-smuggling operation and serves as the film's primary antagonist.
Leo Getz
Played by Joe Pesci
Annoying but well-meaning private investigator and accountant who helps the detectives while providing comic relief with his fast-talking antics.
Trish Murtaugh
Played by Darlene Love
Roger's wife and family matriarch who provides emotional support and keeps the household together while dealing with her expanding family.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Riggs and Murtaugh chase suspects in a wild car pursuit, showcasing their partnership dynamic. Both are older but still doing dangerous police work, establishing their "too old for this" baseline.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 15 minutes when The team discovers a Chinese immigrant smuggling ring when they find imprisoned families in a freighter. This introduces antagonist Wah Sing Ku and the Triad operation, disrupting their routine police work.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 31 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Riggs and Murtaugh commit to taking down Ku and the Triad operation despite the risks. They actively choose to dive into this dangerous world rather than play it safe before retirement., moving from reaction to action.
At 63 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Ku kills Detective Ng and escapes, demonstrating his lethal capabilities. False defeat: the investigation seems to be slipping away, and the villain proves more dangerous than anticipated. Stakes raise dramatically., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 94 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Murtaugh's home is invaded and burned by Ku. The family sanctuary is destroyed - a metaphorical death of safety and the old life. Rianne goes into labor during the chaos, raising fear for her life., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 102 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Learning Ku's location at the docks, the team synthesizes their skills with new resolve. They'll fight not just as cops, but as fathers protecting their families. New information enables the final confrontation., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Lethal Weapon 4's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Lethal Weapon 4 against these established plot points, we can identify how Richard Donner utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Lethal Weapon 4 within the action genre.
Richard Donner's Structural Approach
Among the 16 Richard Donner films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.9, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Lethal Weapon 4 represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Richard Donner filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Bad Guys, Puss in Boots and Venom: The Last Dance. For more Richard Donner analyses, see Assassins, Superman and Lethal Weapon 2.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Riggs and Murtaugh chase suspects in a wild car pursuit, showcasing their partnership dynamic. Both are older but still doing dangerous police work, establishing their "too old for this" baseline.
Theme
Murtaugh complains about getting too old for police work and wanting to reach retirement safely. The theme of aging, family responsibility, and legacy versus reckless youth is introduced.
Worldbuilding
Establish the team dynamics: Riggs is with Lorna (pregnant), Murtaugh is about to be a grandfather (daughter Rianne is pregnant), and Leo Getz is now a private investigator. Captain Murphy oversees them all.
Disruption
The team discovers a Chinese immigrant smuggling ring when they find imprisoned families in a freighter. This introduces antagonist Wah Sing Ku and the Triad operation, disrupting their routine police work.
Resistance
Investigation into the Triad operation deepens. Detective Ng provides information. Riggs and Murtaugh debate taking on this dangerous case given their age and family situations. Leo helps with his counterfeiting expertise.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Riggs and Murtaugh commit to taking down Ku and the Triad operation despite the risks. They actively choose to dive into this dangerous world rather than play it safe before retirement.
Mirror World
The family relationships deepen: Lorna and Riggs discuss their future baby, Murtaugh bonds with pregnant Rianne. The domestic subplot mirrors the theme of responsibility and legacy.
Premise
Classic Lethal Weapon action: investigations, stakeouts, comedic banter between the team. Confrontations with Triad members escalate. The promise of "buddy cop action-comedy" is delivered with set pieces and humor.
Midpoint
Ku kills Detective Ng and escapes, demonstrating his lethal capabilities. False defeat: the investigation seems to be slipping away, and the villain proves more dangerous than anticipated. Stakes raise dramatically.
Opposition
Ku and the Triads close in on the heroes. Multiple confrontations escalate. Murtaugh's family is threatened. The counterfeiting scheme's full scope is revealed. Pressure intensifies from all sides.
Collapse
Murtaugh's home is invaded and burned by Ku. The family sanctuary is destroyed - a metaphorical death of safety and the old life. Rianne goes into labor during the chaos, raising fear for her life.
Crisis
In the hospital, Murtaugh processes the violation of his home and threat to his family. Riggs faces becoming a father. Both partners reflect on what really matters: protecting family versus revenge.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Learning Ku's location at the docks, the team synthesizes their skills with new resolve. They'll fight not just as cops, but as fathers protecting their families. New information enables the final confrontation.
Synthesis
Massive finale at the docks. The entire team (Riggs, Murtaugh, Butters, Leo) confronts the Triads. Extended fight between Riggs/Murtaugh and Ku underwater and on docks. Villain defeated, operation shut down.
Transformation
Both babies are born healthy. Riggs marries Lorna at the hospital. Murtaugh holds his grandchild. The final image shows the transformed men: no longer reckless cops, but family men who fought to protect what matters most.