Lethal Weapon (6 March 1987)

directed by Richard Donner

starring Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Gary Busey, Mitch Ryan

MPAA rating: Studio: Silver Pictures, Warner Brothers Script: Shane Black Music: Eric Clapton, Michael Kamen Running time: 112 minutes Suggested retail price: $19.98 (US) Tags: Action; Christmas; Crime; deserts; police; torture Tactical strength: [7/10]

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Detective Sergeant Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover) has a really rotten 50th birthday: the daughter of an old friend commits suicide and he gets assigned a new partner, Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson), rumored to have a death wish. When forensic evidence shows that someone had poisoned the girl before she fell to her death, Murtaugh and Riggs begin to investigate. All the clues point to a huge drug smuggling ring run by men who made their Asian contacts while serving as soldiers in the Special Forces. Luckily Riggs has a similar background in covert operations.

I don't think anyone really expected to start a series with Lethal Weapon, but it uncharacteristically -- for an action movie -- develops its two main characters into people that you understand and can even care about. Riggs has recently lost his wife and contemplates suicide. Murtaugh has a solid, happy marriage with three kids and a suburban home. The script doesn't favor Gibson over Glover, and Richard Donner gives them equal screen time.

The characters, plot, and action all mesh effortlessly. Most action movies sacrifice plot and characterization for the sake of action, but Lethal Weapon balances its action with a logical plot that truly demonstrates a need for the use of lethal force. Only the final fight between the lead henchman (Gary Busey) and Riggs seems contrived. Lethal Weapon creates such strong characters that the next three sequels, to their shame, essentially skip further characterization, but I'll save my comments on the sequels for other reports.

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