--- title: "Lethal Weapon: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/lethal-weapon/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/lethal-weapon" critics_score: 78 critics_reviews: 11 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Lethal Weapon (1987): what the critics said Critics' score 78 from 11 reviews: 11 positive, 0 mixed, 0 negative. All eleven reviews come down on the film’s side. Almost every critic names Mel Gibson’s Martin Riggs as the reason to watch: a suicidal detective played at full pitch, manic and dangerous, holding the eye through every crash. His pairing with Danny Glover’s steady family man draws the next most praise; the reviews treat the odd-couple friction as the engine of the film. Richard Donner’s fast direction, the stunts and Shane Black’s script are credited with carrying a familiar formula on energy rather than novelty. The reservations are mild and mostly about plausibility. Several critics find the plot thin or illogical and say the film gets by regardless; The Hollywood Reporter thinks the central conflict takes too long to arrive and complains of slack expository scenes. Slant Magazine, writing later, objects to the series’ casual attitude to police violence. The spread is narrow, from good to admiring, with most of the later retrospective reviews warmer than the notices from its release. ## RogerEbert.com — Roger Ebert Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 6 March 1987. The critic praises the film as an exhilarating action thriller that succeeds through its high energy and style rather than originality. He singles out the buddy dynamic between Mel Gibson's suicidal cop and Danny Glover's family man for making the characters engaging amid the mayhem. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/lethal-weapon-1987) ## Slant Magazine — Calum Marsh Rating 3.5/4. 6 June 2012. The critic praises the Lethal Weapon films as highly entertaining and efficient action-comedies that are among the most watchable blockbusters, thanks to Richard Donner's direction and the stars' chemistry. They single out the series' cavalier attitude toward police violence and its ideological implications for complaint. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/dvd/lethal-weapon-collection/) ## Empire — Gavin Bainbridge Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2000. The critic praises the film's sharp script, first-class stunts, and the effective odd-couple dynamic between Gibson and Glover, noting its well-woven plot of murder and corruption. They single out the convincing performances and the formula's success in delivering pace and action. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/lethal-weapon-review/) ## Los Angeles Times — Michael Wilmington Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 6 March 1987. The critic finds the film a shallow, flashy buddy-cop thriller that works despite logical holes thanks to its jazzy direction and strong lead performances. Gibson's manic, mythic-hero turn as the suicidal Riggs is singled out as the central driving force. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-03-06-ca-4934-story.html) ## Radio Times — John Marriott Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). The film delivers entertainment through its over-the-top implausibility and escalating set pieces. Mel Gibson and Danny Glover's contrasting chemistry as the leads brings spirit and fun to the action. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-ort5xi/lethal-weapon/) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Duane Byrge Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 2 March 1987. The critic praises the hard action scenes, traditional buddy banter, and especially Mel Gibson's sensational, explosive performance as the frazzled cop on the edge, along with strong work from Danny Glover and Gary Busey. Complaints focus on the plot not locking in the conflict early enough, too many lame expository scenes, and dialogue that doesn't fully jell compared to similar films. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/lethal-weapon-1987-review-i-original-movie-983419/) ## The New York Times — Janet Maslin Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 6 March 1987. The review describes the film as a hard-boiled, high-voltage police thriller focused on nonstop crashes and action. It highlights Mel Gibson's energetic, madcap performance as the suicidal detective Martin Riggs while noting the contrast with the more grounded family elements. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/1987/03/06/movies/film-lethal-weapon-a-thriller-with-gibson.html) ## Time Out — CB Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 25 September 2014. Gibson brings charm and a death-wish intensity to his role as a lethal cop partnered with Glover's family man. The stylish, violent thriller stands out for escaping soldier-home clichés through the lead's appeal. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/lethal-weapon-5) ## Variety — Variety Staff Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 31 December 1986. The review notes the film teeters on absurdity but succeeds due to its unrelenting energy and drive. It singles out Mel Gibson's compelling, dangerous performance as the key element holding interest amid the buddy-cop and action elements. [Read the review](https://variety.com/1986/film/reviews/lethal-weapon-1200427203/) ## Den of Geek — Guy Buckland Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 12 January 2016. The critic calls the original Lethal Weapon a flat-out classic with unique energy from its unmolested Shane Black script and the standout chemistry between Mel Gibson and Danny Glover. They single out the film's handling of Riggs' emotional trauma and the bro-mantic resolution for praise. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/lethal-weapon-looking-back-at-the-original/) ## Eye for Film — Stephen Carty Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 23 May 2010. The first film in the series is the best due to its stronger balance of emotion, humour and action compared to the more explosion-heavy sequels. The critic singles out Mel Gibson's intense, career-best performance as the suicidal Riggs and the strong chemistry with Danny Glover. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/lethal-weapon-film-review-by-stephen-carty) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/lethal-weapon.md