The Goonies (1985)

Children of the 80s and early 90s grew up watching this Steven Spielberg-penned film as a rite of passage. If you managed to grow up without seeing at least part of this film on weekend movie marathons on TV, you are the exception to the rule. As with many coming of age tales, The Goonies has its share of avid fans, though few of them are probably under the age of 30 now. It received mixed reviews upon its release in 1985 but childhood nostalgia has trumped this fun little flick up to be a spectacle that has to be seen.

The Goonies are a group of teenagers living in Astoria, Oregon. Usually they are wandering around town looking for adventures and mysteries but a golf course developer has their families’ houses in foreclosure, leaving them to pack up and move. While checking the attic, Mikey Walsh (Sean Astin) and his friend Clark (Corey Feldman) discover an old Spanish treasure map pointing the way to the treasure trove of the fabled One-Eyed Willie. This sets the Goonies on one last mission that could save their houses, if the criminal Fratelli Family doesn’t find the treasure first.

Don’t be fooled by Richard Donner as the director. This film has all the hallmarks of a Spielberg 80s flick. We’ve got kids facing issues with their parents and other adults who just don’t understand, peer pressure, danger, adventure, and a few easily-outsmarted bad guys. These are the basic ingredients that coming-of-age, young adult/family films continue to be made of. The transparency of it all is the kicker, and shows the film’s age. These kind of simplistic devices and plots worked for kids of the 80s, who found themselves huge targets of Hollywood studios. The Goonies could only be made now if it were an intentional spoof of 80s family flick clichés.

So what keeps modern audiences from rolling their eyes at this film? It’s got a lot of heart and it is genuinely fun to watch. Yes, your brain is going to tell you that some of what you see is preposterous, but those of us old enough to appreciate pre-90s kitsch will understand that this is how family-friendly films were made before society grew so cynical and dependent on CGI. There is a lot of formula at play here but perhaps it is the amount of outlandishness heaped atop that formula that helps The Goonies feel so fresh.

It has to be tough working with so many young actors because the craft of acting and making a story believable is hard enough for adults to do half of the time. The cast is helped by Spielberg’s script full of spot-on teen emotions. As silly as the plot may be, the characters all feel like they could be real people. Okay, maybe that’s a stretch for Data, the wacky inventor of the bunch, but everyone else feels like they could exist in real life.

The story is told through a subjective lens, not a true third-person experience. Adults are portrayed the way teens oftentimes see them- boring, slow-to-understand, or just plain in the way. Perhaps that is why this film resonates so much with so many people. It was laid out in terms that kids could understand. Is it the best movie ever? Heck no. Nostalgia has totally overrated The Goonies. That doesn’t mean it can’t be enjoyed each and every time you catch it on TV.

RATING: 3.5 out of 5

Lethal Weapon 4 (1998)

The Lethal Weapon catchphrase “too old for this sh*t” is about as tired as Danny Glover and Mel Gibson look in this film. Riggs and Murtaugh are older- eleven years older than when they paired up in the first installment of this “buddy cop” franchise.

The film adds yet another supporting character with Chris Rock as the fiancé of Murtaugh’s daughter. Rene Russo returns in her role from 3 and is pregnant with Riggs' child. Joe Pesci is back and is, well, Joe Pesci.

The bad guys are Chinese, so we get to see old cops fight kung fu masters (and win!). A bit recycled and repetitive, Lethal Weapon 4 brings the series to a close in a fitting manner. It entertains, but one has to wonder if they really needed to make this one.

RATING: 2.75 out of 5

Lethal Weapon 3 (1992)

Detectives Riggs and Murtaugh have a habit of saying that they’re “too old for this sh*t.” By the end of Lethal Weapon 3, I’m starting to believe them. While it’s still entertaining, most of why this movie works comes from our familiarity with the characters and their quirks.

Joe Pesci returns as a supporting character and Rene Russo joins the party as a government agent. She’s a feisty one, so naturally there’s some sexual tension between her and Riggs. The plot isn’t so memorable, but it’s the further adventures of Riggs and Murtaugh. If you liked the first two, you’re bound to watch this one, right? That’s basically the filmmakers' hopes with Lethal Weapon 3, and they’re more or less right.

RATING: 2.75 out of 5

Lethal Weapon 2 (1989)

Isn’t it annoying when sequels try and go deeper than their predecessor and try tackling some kind of major issue while still providing a similar amount of punch and wit as the first? I think it is.

Fortunately, Lethal Weapon 2 doesn’t get too heavy handed in this common pitfall. The bad guys this time around are South African. This means nothing to the current generation but when this movie was made, South Africa was still operating under apartheid government. The bad guys are white and rather racist, which only makes sense if you are aware of history. Since Detective Murtaugh is black, some interesting point and counterpoint is played out subtly throughout the film which younger viewers won’t understand at all.

Fortunately, the filmmakers reduce this potentially heavy-handed race issue by injecting a new source of humor for the series- Joe Pesci. He plays an annoying little creep named Leo who Riggs and Murtaugh are assigned to protect. Of course, protecting Leo leads them into a larger foray against organized crime and drug lords.

Somewhat predictable, but still entertaining, Lethal Weapon 2 retains enough of the original’s magic to keep you entertained.

RATING: 3 out of 5

Lethal Weapon (1987)

You’ll be hard pressed to find a “Buddy Cop” flick with as much pop and energy as Lethal Weapon. While several cop movies incorporated riveting balances between drama and humor, Lethal Weapon makes the formula work while sharing screen time between two completely different personalities.

In a way, it’s a fish-out-of-water scenario, except that the cops are on their home turf. Their biggest issue is how to trust and deal with each other. Instead of just being a “crazy cop,” Mel Gibson brings depth to his character (Detective Riggs), making us feel compassion for him and justifying some of his antics. On the flip side, Danny Glover (as Detective Murtaugh) presents us with an older man ready to slow down. He’s very believable and very practical.

The relationship and growth each brings to the other really makes the film more than a schlocky stunt-fest like its endless number successors and imitators. Speaking of stunts, the stunt work is nearly seamless and largely believable. The plot is a bit out there, but what should we expect from a cop drama/comedy?

It’s original and creative enough to be heralded as a model for the sub-genre, which has allowed it to enter the cultural consciousness as well. Rightfully hailed as a classic, Lethal Weapon is a ride worth taking.

RATING: 3.5 out of 5

The Omen (1976)

Gregory Peck is a man’s man. He’s taken on many challenges in his acting career, and The Omen pits him against the spawn of Satan. Peck’s wife has a complicated pregnancy which results in a still-birth, but his wife in unconscious and has no clue. To cover it up, her husband switches babies with some monks and takes on Damien as his son.

Everything seems fine until 5-year old Damien starts coaxing people to commit suicide telepathically, being followed around by big mean dogs, and freaking out when exposed to anything remotely religious. The child actor is really a cute kid, but nothing is creepier than a cute kid staring blankly off into space with eerie music playing.

Overall, the film is really good. It’s filled with religious symbolism, which shows that the filmmakers did their homework. Granted, there are plenty of convenient twists and turns that now seem cliché, but they are largely excusable because the film excels at creeping you out.

I wouldn’t recommend this to those who are extremely squeamish, overly prone to nightmares, or the overly prudish religious folk who are offended by Satan’s portrayal as a cute little boy. Those who are into religious study or those who just enjoy a good chill will enjoy The Omen.

RATING: 3.5 out of 5