On L List of Movie Reviews
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Lethal Weapon (1987)
Rate:
10
Viewed:
6/04, 3/05, 3/16, 6/21
3/16:
Lethal Weapon is a forgotten masterpiece of the buddy cop action genre.
It's also a significant movie in terms of platonic interracial relationships. Mel Gibson, as Martin Riggs, is a true lethal
weapon. Danny Glover is perfect. Their chemistry is amazing which is the reason why it spawned three sequels.
The director's cut adds more to the film, and I prefer it over the theatrical version. My favorite
scene is at the gun range when Martin made a happy face out of the paper target; it's amusing and underscores how good
he is despite his psychotic behavior.
Everybody is familiar with the famous introduction of a hot naked white female jumping off the balcony. Jackie Swanson
actually performed the stunt which is impressive. In another scene, the guy in a red, black-lined Scottish jacket who holds
Riggs as hostage at the Christmas tree lot is Blackie Dammett, the father of Anthony Kiedis, the front man of Red Hot Chili
Peppers.
All in all, the chemistry between Mel Gibson and Danny Glover is what made Lethal Weapon a huge hit.
6/21:
There are hundreds of them, but Lethal Weapon is the best buddy cop film of all time.
The chemistry between Danny Glover and Mel Gibson is absolutely terrific. It's what makes the movie. One is pretty good for
a detective although he's a big believer in "do as little as possible and, more importantly, stay alive," and the other is a
true lethal weapon.
Richard Donner's direction helps immensely because the story is probably ordinary on its own. Yet the film moves along well
and has a great pace. The editing is fantastic although it can be problematic in some spots. Like
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, it's also a funny movie which goes a long way.
All in all, Lethal Weapon earns a '10' for being the best film of the buddy cop genre.