Lethal Weapon (1987)

Director: Richard Donner
Starring: Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Gary Busey

Synopsis:
An aging detective is paired with a loose cannon partner for the case of a murdered prostitute that is connected to a much larger plot.

Impressions:
This is one of the quintessential buddy cop films that plays into the conventions of the subgenre well. Murtaugh and Riggs are so sharply opposed that it makes for some strong conflict in the first half of the film before they tread too far into the baddies' plot. Danny Glover and Mel Gibson deliver strong performances as Murtaugh and Riggs and Gary Busey is quite memorable as Riggs' shadow counterpart as Mr. Joshua. The action set pieces are solid, especially at the finale. This is one of the top action films of the 80s, a decade replete with excellent action films, and definitely deserves a place in your collection.

Rating:
Own It