Lethal Weapon
Rent & Buy
A veteran cop and an unstable detective become partners who must put their differences aside in order to bring down a heroin-smuggling ring run by ex-Special Forces.
What critics thought
Critics in 1987 received Lethal Weapon warmly but not without reservation — the film's tonal lurches between goofy buddy comedy and hard-edged action gave some pause, even as most agreed its kinetic energy was hard to resist. The chemistry between Gibson and Glover drew consistent praise, and Donner's direction was seen as crowd-pleasing craft at its most effective, if not exactly subtle.
“Lethal Weapon is a film teetering on the brink of absurdity when it gets serious, but thanks to its unrelenting energy and insistent drive, it never quite falls.”
Variety
“The film is all fast action, noisy stunts and huge, often unflattering close-ups, but it packs an undeniable wallop.”
Janet Maslin·The New York Times
“a vivid, visceral reminder of just how exciting an action film can be”
Richard Harrington·The Washington Post
Accolades
Parents guide
- Violence
- moderate
- Sex
- moderate
- Profanity
- moderate
- Substances
- moderate
- Intensity
- moderate
Genres
Action, Crime, Thriller
Cast & Crew
Richard DonnerDirector
Mel GibsonMartin Riggs
Danny GloverRoger Murtaugh
Gary BuseyMr. Joshua
Mitchell RyanGeneral Peter McAllister
Tom AtkinsMichael Hunsaker
Darlene LoveTrish Murtaugh
Traci WolfeRianne Murtaugh
Jackie SwansonAmanda Hunsaker
Damon HinesNick Murtaugh
Ebonie SmithCarrie Murtaugh
Bill KalmensonBeat Cop
Lycia NaffDixie
Eric ClaptonComposer
Michael KamenComposer
Shane BlackWriter
Stephen GoldblattCinematographyLethal Weapon
A veteran cop and an unstable detective become partners who must put their differences aside in order to bring down a heroin-smuggling ring run by ex-Special Forces.
What critics thought
Critics in 1987 received Lethal Weapon warmly but not without reservation — the film's tonal lurches between goofy buddy comedy and hard-edged action gave some pause, even as most agreed its kinetic energy was hard to resist. The chemistry between Gibson and Glover drew consistent praise, and Donner's direction was seen as crowd-pleasing craft at its most effective, if not exactly subtle.
“Lethal Weapon is a film teetering on the brink of absurdity when it gets serious, but thanks to its unrelenting energy and insistent drive, it never quite falls.”
Variety
“The film is all fast action, noisy stunts and huge, often unflattering close-ups, but it packs an undeniable wallop.”
Janet Maslin·The New York Times
“a vivid, visceral reminder of just how exciting an action film can be”
Richard Harrington·The Washington Post
Accolades
Parents guide
- Violence
- moderate
- Sex
- moderate
- Profanity
- moderate
- Substances
- moderate
- Intensity
- moderate
Genres
Action, Crime, Thriller
Cast & Crew
Richard DonnerDirectorMel GibsonMartin RiggsDanny GloverRoger MurtaughGary BuseyMr. JoshuaMitchell RyanGeneral Peter McAllisterTom AtkinsMichael HunsakerDarlene LoveTrish MurtaughTraci WolfeRianne MurtaughJackie SwansonAmanda HunsakerDamon HinesNick MurtaughEbonie SmithCarrie MurtaughBill KalmensonBeat CopLycia NaffDixieEric ClaptonComposerMichael KamenComposerShane BlackWriterStephen GoldblattCinematographyRent & Buy