Lethal Weapon

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Lethal Weapon

R

1987

1h 49m

Action

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

82%

Tomatometer

60 Reviews

86%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Following the death of his wife, Los Angeles police detective Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson) becomes reckless and suicidal. When he is reassigned and partnered with Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover), Riggs immediately clashes with the older officer. Together they uncover a massive drug-trafficking ring. As they encounter increasingly dangerous situations, Riggs and Murtaugh begin to form a bond. Riggs' volatile behavior might just help them apprehend the criminals -- if it doesn't kill them both first.

Critics Consensus

The most successful installment in a phenomenally successful series, Lethal Weapon helped redefine action movies for the 1980s and 1990s.

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Bob Thomas

Associated Press

07/25/2019

Richard Donner directed with an expert eye for action but impaired vision for logic.

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Duane Byrge

The Hollywood Reporter

03/06/2017

Unfortunately, while Black's assembled all the parts, he's not locked in the conflict early enough, and the good scenes simply aren't enough good to make up for the plot's too-late lock.

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Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

12/13/2014

3/4

[Gibson and Glover] make a great team, and some of their early adventures are exciting. But the film runs out of gas as it turns into an extended chase sequence.

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Richard Freedman

Newark Star-Ledger

Jan 7

Its real strength lies... in the fully realized, deeply human relationships between its two cop heroes, an odd couple indeed, but totally believable and endearing throughout.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Nov 11

2.5/4

It's considered an action classic and one of the best "buddy cop" films, but it's always held just marginal appeal for me -- besides, compare it to Die Hard, and its "classic" status seems even more ludicrous.

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Gavin Spoors

FILMHOUNDS Magazine

Aug 4

4/5

What elevates Lethal Weapon from being a standard action film is how it takes its time to let the audience really get to know the characters.

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Kauã M

@KauaMiguel May 14

One of the older films that surprised me the most in my life was this one. I didn't expect to have so much fun, and to see such a good dynamic between these two actors. I can see how many pairings they inspired in this film. The strong point of this work isn't its villain or antagonists, but rather the dynamic between the actors, who have great chemistry and humor that truly captivates.

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Mark B

@Thelaser555 Apr 15

Love the chemistry between Gibson and Glover early on, the crazy opening scene with the flame thrower baddie and the black humour dialogue. I just wonder if it would have been better having Leslie Nielsen instead of the shouty machismo Gibson, injecting all his deadpan face slapstick and satire?? This movie at times wants to be taken seriously but how can it?? It borders on the Naked Gun absurdity and for me, doesn't sustain that laugh out loud humour throughout. I am also, I have to admit it, not a Mel Gibson fan, no matter how hard I try to be.

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Jacopo D

@Mini01itb Jan 16

Tipico film d'azione anni '80. Bel film, trama classica da Spy action, attori degni e decisamente capaci che rendono talvolta il film comico, talvolta serio e profondo. Personaggi davvero scritti bene che abbelliscono il film. Un amicizia è davvero ciò di cui la vita non può fare a meno

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Enrique R

@NostalgicNerd Dec 22

This movie is so good! One of the best action movies of all time including with Terminator 2, Bad Boys II, The Matrix and Die Hard. I love Mel Gibson and Danny Glover in this. But I will have to give Lethal Weapon a 10/10 or a 5/5 stars.

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Erin M

@Mightymotes Dec 19

Great action movie! Story and actors all fit together nicely throughout! Watched this as a 16 year old kid and it’s still watchable today….with good vibes of old times when the world and movies were authentic and fun! Not like the formulaic, pandering slop that hollyweird puts on our plates today!

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M B

@Timbero Sep 16

The best 80s action movie, ahead of it's time. Brilliantly written, acted, directed and scored, and I even prefer this to Die Hard.

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Richard Donner

Director

Mel Gibson

Sergeant Martin Riggs

Danny Glover

Sergeant Roger Murtaugh

Gary Busey

Mr. Joshua

Mitch Ryan

General Peter McAllister

Tom Atkins

Michael Hunsaker

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61%

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Lethal Weapon 2

82%

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94%

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Synopsis

Following the death of his wife, Los Angeles police detective Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson) becomes reckless and suicidal. When he is reassigned and partnered with Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover), Riggs immediately clashes with the older officer. Together they uncover a massive drug-trafficking ring. As they encounter increasingly dangerous situations, Riggs and Murtaugh begin to form a bond. Riggs' volatile behavior might just help them apprehend the criminals -- if it doesn't kill them both first.

Director: Richard Donner
Producer: Joel Silver
Screenwriter: Shane Black
Distributor: Warner Bros., Warner Home Vídeo
Production Co: Silver Pictures, Warner Brothers
Rating: R
Genre: Action, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 6, 1987, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 15, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $61.0M
Runtime: 1h 49m
Sound Mix: Surround