Lethal Weapon (1987)
Lethal Weapon, directed by Richard Donner and written by Shane Black, is a classic buddy-cop action film that blends intense action, sharp dialogue, and emotional depth. The movie introduces two mismatched Los Angeles detectives: Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover), a seasoned family man nearing retirement, and Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson), a volatile, suicidal ex-Special Forces sniper struggling with the recent death of his wife.
The story begins with Murtaugh investigating the apparent suicide of Amanda Hunsaker, the daughter of an old Vietnam War buddy, Michael Hunsaker. As the investigation unfolds, it becomes clear that Amanda’s death was not a simple overdose but part of a larger criminal conspiracy. Meanwhile, Riggs, now working as a narcotics officer, is introduced as dangerously unhinged, pulling stunts that suggest he has a death wish.
Riggs and Murtaugh are reluctantly partnered. Their stark differences—Murtaugh’s cautious, by-the-book demeanor versus Riggs’s reckless aggression—create immediate tension. However, as they dig deeper into Amanda’s death, they discover a drug-smuggling operation run by a group of ex-CIA operatives and mercenaries known as “Shadow Company.” Michael Hunsaker, trying to expose the group, is murdered, pushing the detectives into direct conflict with the criminals.
As the partnership develops, Murtaugh begins to see that beneath Riggs’s wild exterior is a man burdened by grief and loneliness. Their bond deepens through shared danger and mutual respect. The duo uncovers that Shadow Company is using a bank as a front for heroin trafficking and that they plan to eliminate anyone who gets in their way—including Murtaugh and Riggs.
In a brutal series of confrontations, including a kidnapping of Murtaugh’s daughter Rianne, Riggs and Murtaugh go to war with Shadow Company. Riggs is captured and tortured but escapes, showing his lethal combat skills. The climax features a showdown between Riggs and Mr. Joshua (Gary Busey), the ruthless enforcer of Shadow Company, ending with a dramatic hand-to-hand fight on Murtaugh’s front lawn.
By the film’s end, the partnership has transformed into a genuine friendship. Riggs, once suicidal, begins to find purpose again, even spending Christmas with Murtaugh’s family. He gives Murtaugh the bullet he’d been saving to end his life—symbolizing a new beginning.
Lethal Weapon is more than a typical action film. It mixes thrilling sequences with heartfelt character development, laying the foundation for a beloved franchise and redefining the buddy-cop genre with grit, heart, and humor.
