Lethal Weapon (1987) - 4K Ultra HD Assessment

      Lethal Weapon, 1987.

      Directed by Richard Donner.

      Featuring Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Gary Busey, Mitchell Ryan, Darlene Love, Al Leong, Tom Atkins, and Don Gordon.

      SYNOPSIS:

      Two incompatible LAPD officers must find a way to cooperate in order to dismantle a drug trafficking operation.

      Finally, Richard Donner’s buddy cop classic Lethal Weapon arrives on 4K UHD, restored to bring the essence of the 1980s to your contemporary media setup. Does it still hold up, or has it aged too much for today’s audience?

      For those needing a brief recap, Lethal Weapon follows the unconventional duo of cops Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson) and Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover) as they investigate the suspected murder of a young woman. This case ties Murtaugh to an old Vietnam comrade and a drug smuggling ring run by the merciless The General (Mitchell Ryan) and his enforcer Mr. Joshua (Gary Busey), both of whom were once Special Forces.

      Riggs, also a former Special Forces member, is a volatile individual struggling with the loss of his wife and is often on the brink of suicide. Murtaugh, a devoted family man who has just turned 50 and is contemplating retirement, finds his partnership with Riggs challenging due to their opposing approaches to achieving results. Can they set aside their differences to dismantle the drug operation?

      Of course they can; otherwise, there wouldn’t be three sequels. While buddy cop films existed prior to this one, Lethal Weapon solidified the formula by giving viewers characters they genuinely care about. Danny Glover infuses Murtaugh with warmth that makes you root for him, despite his occasional grumpiness. Glover effectively portrays Murtaugh as a principled man dedicated to protecting his family. Although he uses a revolver, considered old-fashioned next to Riggs’ automatic, Murtaugh demonstrates that he can match Riggs in a firefight, needing only six shots.

      However, it is Riggs who embodies the lethal weapon of the title, and Mel Gibson delivers a performance filled with extraordinary intensity and turmoil. The scene where Riggs attempts to dissuade a potential suicide jumper encapsulates everything about his character—Gibson's expression when telling the jumper they are about to go over the edge, both literally and figuratively, remains chilling, especially as we reflect on societal issues in 2025. Gibson presents Riggs as a fragile yet volatile figure, skillfully portraying his quieter moments as well, like when he struggles to pull the trigger in an attempted suicide. Rather than making Riggs a one-dimensional character, the collaboration between Shane Black’s writing and Gibson’s performance transforms him into a more complex and intriguing figure than audiences were accustomed to at the time.

      Speaking of complex characters, Gary Busey portrays Mr. Joshua, a henchman as brutal and psychopathic as Riggs but lacking the humanity that separates law enforcement from criminals. Busey maintains an intense calm, particularly memorable when he shoots a television featuring a classic Christmas film. Similar to villains in Bond films, he poses a greater threat to the heroes than The General, though Mitchell Ryan can still appear intimidating when necessary. Additionally, ‘80s action star Al Leong makes an appearance, underscoring the film’s authenticity.

      This makes Lethal Weapon an enjoyable and entertaining film, regardless of the format. So what does this 4K UHD edition offer? Lethal Weapon has never appeared so fresh and vibrant. The skin tones are natural, the hues of the police car lights are vibrant but not overly saturated, and the detail level is impressive—like in the scene where Murtaugh goes to rescue his daughter in the desert. You can clearly see intricate details like the swirling sand, the stitching of Gary Busey’s sweater, and even Danny Glover’s stubble, which serves as a testament to the meticulous care in the restoration.

      Furthermore, the scene where Riggs and Murtaugh deal with an explosion and question child witnesses showcases a stunning combination of colors and sharpness that revitalizes what was once a rather dull scene. With the added excellence of Dolby Atmos audio, Lethal Weapon feels rejuvenated nearly forty years later.

      As for extras, there are two brief featurettes. "A Legacy of Inspiration: Remembering Dick Donner” serves as a heartfelt tribute to the late director from contributors like Danny Glover, writer Shane Black, and Donner's wife Lauren Shuler Donner. "I Am Too Old for This... – A Chemistry that Became Iconic" explores Gibson and Glover's onscreen partnership. Although these are interesting supplements, they do not significantly enhance the film.

      As with most UHD re-releases of classic films, Lethal Weapon remains an outstanding movie that continues to deliver action, drama, emotion, and entertainment value.