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Like Die Hard, Lethal Weapon takes place during Christmastime (opening to the tune of Jingle Bell Rock); although the predominance is so much less that it’s often forgotten. And to think Lethal Weapon was made one year prior. It seems that the holidays and heavy-hitting, macho action films go hand in hand. To add to the similarities, both films center on an unlikely duo; initial opposites who adapt to their unwilling partner’s differences in ethics, violence and risk-taking. Clearly the buddy-cop element taken to the level of intensely destruction-filled mayhem and comical catch phrases continues to be a popular choice for explosive thrillers. Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover) is an aging family man and sensible veteran police officer just trying to make it through the day unscathed. Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson) is a suicidal loose cannon cop who doesn’t care if he lives to see the end of the day. Reluctantly thrown together to solve the mysterious murder of a banker’s daughter (an opening scene nude skydive), the antithetic duo uncovers a dangerous ring of drug smugglers employing ex-military mercenaries. After a tragic turn of events, the mission becomes personal and the mismatched investigators must learn to trust one another as they wage a two-man war against a deadly criminal organization. |
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Spawning three sequels, each staying authentic to the first in tone and style, Lethal Weapon capitalizes on the amusing pairing of two men who view life and their jobs with contrasting beliefs. It’s fundamentally entertaining to see such an odd couple, and comparable partnerships have worked in countless movies before and after, especially in the action genre. It can be broken down into the basest of contradictions: Murtaugh has just turned 50, Riggs is younger and fitter; Murtaugh has a stable family and a loving wife, Riggs is alone, having lost his true love and bitterly grieves to the point of suicide; Murtaugh is an even thinker, Riggs is a death-defying risk-taker; Murtaugh is black, Riggs is white. The film’s success relies heavily on the character development and believability of tough-guy male bonding, along with their remarkable perseverance under grueling torture, lengthy chases and hand-to-hand combat. Although the lead team is significantly entertaining enough, Lethal Weapon is missing a startlingly unique, dastardly villain. The merciless Shadow Company assassin Mr. Joshua (Gary Busey), however, makes for a memorable Psychos-R-Us henchman. Even though it’s filled with dated electric guitar and moody saxophone riffs, Lethal Weapon is an enduring buddy film, brilliantly combining comedy, adventure, bloodshed, machinegun showdowns in the middle of busy highways and excessive property destruction. Thanks to director Richard Donner, who balances jokes, suspense and stunts admirably, Lethal Weapon is one of the most compelling action film of the ‘80s. - The Massie Twins
Click HERE to read the review of Lethal Weapon 2 (1989) Click HERE to read the review of Lethal Weapon 3 (1992) Click HERE to read the review of Lethal Weapon 4 (1998)
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