In this sequel to the 1987 smash, Los Angeles police detectives Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson) and Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover) are tasked with guarding Leo Getz (Joe Pesci), a weaselly accountant who has turned state's evidence against a drug ring. But the ringleader, South African ambassador Arjen Rudd (Joss Ackland), sends his trained hitmen led by Pieter Vorstedt (Derrick O'Connor) after the trio before Getz can testify. Meanwhile, Riggs starts up a romance with Rika van den Haas (Patsy Kensit), who is on the staff of the South African embassy.