If these two can learn to stand each other... the bad guys don't stand a chance.
A veteran cop and an unstable detective become partners who must put their differences aside in order to bring down a heroin-smuggling ring run by ex-Special Forces.
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Character
Classical in form, resolved, effortless and unpretentious.
- classical in formformally daring
- resolvedopen-ended
- effortlessdemanding
- unpretentiousprestige
- earnestironic
Who loves it, who doesn't
75 profiled raters. Loved most by The Comfort Seekers; disliked most by The Comfort Seekers.
Where do you stand?
Answer first; then see how everyone, and your circle, split.
“Is Mel Gibson the best thing in Lethal Weapon?”
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“Is this Richard Donner's best work?”
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“Is it the best action film of its decade?”
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A yes-or-no question, answered from what people wrote here, on TMDB and on Wikipedia. Never made up.
Reviews
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Reviews on TMDB
Written by TMDB members; each links to the original. Not part of Curator Co.'s numbers.
- John Chardon TMDB · Dec 20188/10
We got the edge Cochise. Close to retirement, Detective Sergeant Roger Murtaugh is a bit disturbed to find he's breaking in a new partner. Even more so when it turns out to be fellow Detective Martin Riggs, who since the death of his wife has scant regard for life, his own or those around him. Light on plot and character development, Lethal Weapon none the less shines bright as a beacon of how a buddy buddy action film should be done. Roughly an hour and forty five minutes of quips, action, villainy, heroics and cross generational/cultural divides. All what else is needed is a star duo with buoyant chemistry - thankfully Richard Donner's movie has it by the clip load. Mel Gibson is Riggs, a trigger happy suspected loony on the ragged edge, wonderfully playing off of Danny Glover's (superb) "too old for this nonsense" sage old copper. Riggs is a hard dude who quickly became a cinematic hero to many, an unstoppable force with a quip on the tongue and a glint in his eye, to which Gibson is terrific and perfectly cast. Gary Busey's "psycho's are us" henchman flits in and out the picture with gleeful nastiness and Shane Black's script crackles as the super stunt work starts to take a ho
Read the whole review on TMDB - JPV852on TMDB · Aug 20199/10
One of the best action movies of all-time in my book, and right there with Die Hard, Lethal Weapon still holds up so well thanks to the chemistry between Mel Gibson and Danny Glover. Even with the over-the-top staged fight scene at the end, this is just an all around entertaining flick. (Reason I decided to watch it again today was saw it was on A&E and rather than watch a crappy edited version, why not watch the real deal in 1080p HD?)
Read the whole review on TMDB - The Movie Mobon TMDB · Oct 20227/10
**You’re never too old for this!** Lethal Weapon is the ultimate buddy cop action movie. Mel Gibson and Danny Glover’s chemistry delights as the crazed young gun and the old experienced cop grow to respect and trust each other. Mel Gibson gives another iconic performance in his catalog of outstanding characters as the quirky and lovable but traumatizing Martin Riggs struggling to find a reason to hope. Danny Glover’s grouchy but endearing Roger Murtaugh is a perfect balance to Riggs. The two develop a loyalty throughout the film that makes the audience invest and care. At its core, Lethal Weapon is an epic action movie where the good guys kick some serious butt! For the 80s, this movie raised the bar for the action genre. My only complaint would be the first few minutes have some nudity that, if left out, would have made this a contender for the ultimate holiday action movie.
Read the whole review on TMDB - GenerationofSwineon TMDB · Jan 202310/10
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I think the PC thing is that I'm not supposed to like this one but I'm supposed to like the horrible TV series instead? Something like that? Forget about it this is Shane Black at his finest macho shoot 'em up standards. And it's fun. Two cops, two Vietnam vets, two wonderfully colorful characters come together to solve a murder that grows and grows and grows until it becomes appropriately over the top and action packed fun. And, of course, by over-the-top I mean it spirals into the land of unbelievable in the way that only the finest action movies can deliver.
Read the whole review on TMDB - CinemaSerfon TMDB · Jan 20257/10
On the face of it, it's a lot like "Beverly Hill Cop" (1984) only the chemistry between rookies "Riggs" (Mel Gibson) and "Murtaugh" (Danny Glover) is way more gritty, sharp and comical. The pair could hardly be more different when they are partnered. The former has a messy history, the latter is older with an unlucky one but when combined this mismatch proves quite effective. Initially it's the murder of a well-connected hooker and daughter of a marine colleague of "Murtaugh" from Vietnam that sees the two forced together, but it's not long before the Laurel and Hardy of modern policing are delivering results, especially when they find themselves on the trail of some big-time drug smugglers who are probably implicated in her murder. Not only that, but it appears the criminals are themselves former military and so no easy target for our intrepid, slightly disaster-prone, investigators. Gibson and Glover just click here. They are naturals as they present play polar opposite characters amiably and enthusiastically. There's plenty of smart-mouthed dialogue, loads of action and Gibson's almost maniacal behaviour at times is really quite funny. Of course there's no jeopardy, and yes it d
Read the whole review on TMDB
Cast
- Mel GibsonMartin Riggs
- Danny GloverRoger Murtaugh
- Gary BuseyMr. Joshua
- Mitchell RyanGeneral Peter McAllister
- Tom AtkinsMichael Hunsaker
- Darlene LoveTrish Murtaugh
- Traci WolfeRianne Murtaugh
- Jackie SwansonAmanda Hunsaker
- Damon HinesNick Murtaugh
- Ebonie SmithCarrie Murtaugh
Crew
- Richard DonnerDirector
- Shane BlackScreenplay
- Stephen GoldblattDirector of Photography
- Michael KamenOriginal Music Composer
- Eric ClaptonOriginal Music Composer
- Stuart BairdEditor
- Richard DonnerProducer
- Joel SilverProducer
Where to watch
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Pairings
Companions we picked from the closest works, and how to take them.
Similar in taste
Closest on the same fourteen dimensions, from everything scored on Curator Co. Other media included when they land close.
Lethal Weapon 2 198982% alikeBoth classical in form, resolved, effortless.
Gone in Sixty Seconds 200081% alikeBoth classical in form, resolved, unpretentious.
Balto 199578% alikeBoth classical in form, resolved, earnest.
Blue Thunder 198378% alikeBoth classical in form, unpretentious, resolved.
Bandolero! 196877% alikeBoth classical in form, resolved, effortless.
Die Hard 198876% alikeBoth classical in form, resolved, effortless.
Bad Boys for Life 202076% alikeBoth classical in form, resolved, unpretentious.
Shaft 200076% alikeBoth classical in form, resolved, unpretentious.
Lethal Weapon 201672% alikeSeries · Both classical in form, resolved, unpretentious.
Ushio and Tora 201571% alikeSeries · Both classical in form, resolved, unpretentious.
Often watched with
Recommendations from TMDB. Opening one adds it to Curator Co.
