1987
A dimly lit close up on Roger Murtaugh as he solemnly asks his partner one of the most important questions of the film, “Are you really crazy? Or are you as good as you say you are?”
If you grew up in the 80s and never watched the movie, you would have undoubtably seen this question and answer via the preview ad-nauseum first at the cinema; and then at the beginning of countless movies that were released on video around the same time as this flick.
If you only saw the trailer in Australia (I can’t speak for anywhere else) you would remember the intense response from Martin Riggs, “Nobody can touch me.” Two gravely serious faces looking at each other in a dark room with nothing but an eerie red light shining on them.
The preview sells us on an action-packed buddy cop flick. Murtaugh is the older by-the-book veteran. Riggs is the wild new detective on the team who may or may not be totally fucking nuts. The mismatched partners must learn to get along…etc.
The title of the movie is used by Murtaugh as a way to enforce Rigg’s bad-ass reputation. A perfect line to plug into the trailer, “I suppose we have to register you as a lethal weapon”. Why waste time with subtlety?
Both men are Vietnam war veterans, but Riggs is the special forces, martial arts expert who could shoot the dick off a low-flying gnat. He may also be totally fucking bonkers! So, when his partner asks him the pertinent question, it makes sense that the trailer doesn’t answer the crazy part; go see the movie to find that out. For the purpose of psyching up the potential audience we just get Riggs stating that, crazy or not, he can fuck people up.
The movie was a huge hit thanks to the chemistry between Riggs and Murtaugh, along with Rigg’s unhinged ass-kicking. Funny thing is that the response Riggs gives to Murtaugh in the trailer is not the one he gives in the film. More so, it wouldn’t have been as effective as the one we got.
“Nobody can touch me” is great for drawing an audience into an action blockbuster. However, by the time we reach that scene in the film, Rigg’s bragging about his elite killer skills would fall a little flat. The partners have been through a lot of shit together and are starting to bond. Most importantly, this scene is where they discover the bad guys have kidnapped Murtaugh’s daughter (Rianne); bad guys who also have special forces expert killers in their ranks.
This is a crucial moment in the story. Murtaugh is one soldier and he knows he is going to need Rigg’s commando proficiency to have any chance of rescuing his daughter. The response he gives in the movie proper hits a lot harder than merely bragging about his abilities.
Knowing they are about to go to war with trained killers to try and save his beloved daughter, a desperate Murtaugh sincerely asks his partner, “Are you really crazy? Or are you as good as you say you are?”
Riggs, matching Murtaugh’s solemnity, replies, “You’re just gonna have to trust me.”
Bingo! Emotional buttons hit dead centre! The stakes are sky high and we are invested 100%!
Now let’s watch the slow-motion replay… I mean let’s see the whole exchange:
Martin Riggs: You know they’re going to kill her, don’t you?
Roger Murtaugh: Yeah.
Martin Riggs: So, if you want her back, you’re going to have to take her away from them.
Roger Murtaugh: I know.
Martin Riggs: You do this my way. You shoot, you shoot to kill, get as many of them as you can. All you got to do is just not miss.
Roger Murtaugh: I won’t miss.
Martin Riggs: We’re going to get bloody on this one, Rog.
Roger Murtaugh: Are you really crazy? Or are you as good as you say you are?
Martin Riggs: You’re just gonna have to trust me.
The pragmatic veteran officer and his untamed partner have just shared a moment of vulnerability before we get back into the action. Without stating anything out loud, Murtaugh has declared that he needs Riggs now more than ever; and in return, Riggs has sworn to do everything in his power to save Rianne.
He didn’t specifically answer either part of the question. He didn’t offer the slick line regarding his untouchability; nor did he verify his sanity. He asks his partner to put his faith in his tactical and combat skillset, along with his loyalty to the Murtaugh family.
Hey, that’s straight up poignant for this type of movie! It’s a key ingredient that gives the whole spectacle the gravity it needs.
I don’t know when I first noticed the line switch because I was so wrapped up in the movie. It seems certain that having seen the preview so many times before watching the full movie, it would stick out like dog’s balls. I honestly cannot remember.
All I know is that looking back, the powers that be chose the right take for the job in both cases.
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