Lethal Weapon

Roger Murtaugh is a steady, long-serving detective who is paired with Martin Riggs, a volatile former Special Forces officer carrying intense personal pain. What starts as a reluctant partnership quickly turns into a single-minded investigation after a routine case points to a sophisticated heroin-smuggling ring run by ex-military operatives. Their methods clash frequently: Murtaugh relies on rules and caution, Riggs reacts on instinct and impulse. As they follow clues across Los Angeles, action escalates and private histories begin to surface, shaping how they work together. The film mixes brisk humor with sudden violence, keeping tension tight while letting the evolving friendship steer the investigation without giving away the final outcome. It balances thrills with character moments and wry dialogue effectively.

Released in 1987, Lethal Weapon was directed by Richard Donner from a screenplay by Shane Black, who created the story, and introduced the pairing of Mel Gibson and Danny Glover in roles that would define their careers and genre expectations.

The film was a major commercial success, turning modest production costs into strong returns and spawning three official sequels. Its popularity cemented Lethal Weapon as a reliable studio property and helped make buddy-cop stories a profitable Hollywood formula for decades.

Lethal Weapon reshaped pop culture with an outsized influence, popularizing the mismatched partners template and inspiring countless films, TV shows, and parodies. The chemistry between Gibson and Glover, the mix of humor and violence, and memorable action set pieces made its style widely imitated across entertainment venues worldwide and merchandise.

Critics responded positively, praising the leads' rapport and effective action-comedy blend, reflected in a 7.286 out of 10 user vote average from 4,861 votes. The film deals with grief, loyalty, aging in law enforcement, and the psychological cost of violence while remaining entertaining, and it balances darkness with sly comedy.