Lethal Weapon (1987)
Lethal Weapon (1987), directed by Richard Donner and written by Shane Black, is a landmark action film that redefined the “buddy cop” genre. Starring Mel Gibson as Martin Riggs and Danny Glover as Roger Murtaugh, the film blends thrilling action sequences, sharp humor, and emotional depth, creating one of the most iconic police duos in film history.
The story begins in Los Angeles, where veteran homicide detective Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover) celebrates his 50th birthday. A calm, family-oriented man nearing retirement, Murtaugh has spent years serving in the LAPD and is looking forward to a peaceful life. However, his routine changes drastically when he’s partnered with Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson), a young and reckless narcotics detective who is on the edge of losing control after the recent death of his wife.
Riggs is brilliant and skilled, but also emotionally unstable and suicidal. His unpredictable nature terrifies his fellow officers and immediately clashes with Murtaugh’s cautious, by-the-book approach. Despite their differences, the two are assigned to investigate the apparent suicide of Amanda Hunsaker, the daughter of one of Murtaugh’s old friends, Michael Hunsaker.
As they dig deeper, the detectives uncover that Amanda’s death was not a suicide but a murder linked to a powerful drug-smuggling operation run by ex-Vietnam commandos. The operation, known as Shadow Company, is led by the ruthless General Peter McAllister (Mitchell Ryan) and his cold-blooded enforcer, Mr. Joshua (Gary Busey).
The investigation quickly turns violent. Riggs and Murtaugh survive shootouts, car chases, and explosions as they follow the trail of corruption and heroin trafficking. Murtaugh learns that his old friend Hunsaker was involved in laundering money for Shadow Company and wanted to expose them — a decision that led to his daughter’s death.
Throughout the case, Murtaugh begins to see beyond Riggs’s madness. Beneath his wild and self-destructive behavior, Riggs is a deeply loyal and skilled soldier haunted by grief. Murtaugh becomes not just his partner but a stabilizing force and friend, helping Riggs rediscover his sense of purpose and humanity.
The climax arrives when the villains kidnap Murtaugh’s daughter, Rianne. Riggs and Murtaugh launch a daring rescue mission, leading to a series of intense firefights and hand-to-hand combat. In a memorable showdown, Riggs faces off against Mr. Joshua in a brutal fight on Murtaugh’s front lawn, ultimately defeating him before the police arrive.
In the aftermath, the two partners share mutual respect and friendship. Murtaugh invites Riggs to spend Christmas with his family, symbolizing that Riggs — once lost and broken — has found a new sense of belonging.
Lethal Weapon combines adrenaline-pumping action with humor and heart, setting the standard for buddy-cop films that followed. The chemistry between Gibson and Glover is unforgettable, blending explosive tension with genuine camaraderie. The film’s success spawned several sequels and turned Riggs and Murtaugh into pop culture legends, representing the perfect mix of chaos and order in the fight for justice.
