Lethal Weapon (1987) Review

In Los Angeles, volatile narcotics cop Martin Riggs is partnered with cautious family man Roger Murtaugh. When a suspicious death exposes a major heroin operation, the mismatched detectives are dragged into a violent conspiracy that forges an unlikely bond under fire.

Lethal Weapon (1987) remains a defining moment in modern action cinema - not because it invented the buddy-cop movie, but because it refined and humanised it. Directed by Richard Donner and written by Shane Black, the film pairs two broken cops at opposite ends of life: Mel Gibson's volatile, grief-stricken Martin Riggs and Danny Glover's world-weary family man Roger Murtaugh. What follows is a tough, funny, emotionally grounded action thriller that still holds its shape nearly four decades on.

The heart of the film is the chemistry between Gibson and Glover, which Donner wisely allows to breathe. Their relationship feels earned - antagonistic, wary, and gradually forged through shared danger rather than forced banter. Gibson brings a raw, self-destructive edge to Riggs that was genuinely unsettling at the time, while Glover grounds the film with warmth, humour and restraint. Around them, the supporting cast is strong: Gary Busey is memorable as the unhinged Mr. Joshua, Mitchell Ryan brings icy authority as the villainous General McAllister, Darlene Love gives the film emotional texture, and Tom Atkins adds grit and credibility. Traci Wolfe leaves an impact. Sven-Ole Thorsen appears. Damon Hines and Ebonie Smith are notable along with familiar faces Steve Kahan, and Mary Ellen Trainer.

Visually, the film is elevated by Stephen Goldblatt's cinematography, particularly the striking aerial shots of Los Angeles, which give the film scale and a sense of lived-in geography. Donner's use of real locations - highways, rooftops, suburban streets - grounds the action and gives weight to the danger. Michael Kamen's score, with its bluesy guitar and mournful sax, is iconic, perfectly matching the film's mix of melancholy and hard-edged action.

If there's a weakness, it lies in the extended final fight, which, while entertaining, drags a little longer than it needs to. In hindsight, Gary Busey's demise, though well performed, might have landed with greater impact had it been sharper and more abrupt. Still, these are minor quibbles in a film that fires on almost every other cylinder.

Whether you watch the tighter theatrical cut or the director's cut, Lethal Weapon remains just as effective - funny, tense, emotional and endlessly watchable. It didn't invent the genre, but it perfected the formula through character, craft and chemistry. A timeless action film, and still one of the very best examples of how blockbuster filmmaking can have soul.