Lethal Weapon (Exclusive Series) (HBO Max)

Initial release date: March 6, 1987

Studios: Warner Bros./Silver Pictures

Tagline: If these two can learn to stand each other ... the bad guys don't stand a chance

Plot: Following the death of his wife, LA cop Martin Riggs becomes reckless and suicidal. When he is reassigned and partnered with Roger Murtaugh, Riggs immediately clashes with the older officer. Together they uncover a massive drug-trafficking ring. As they encounter increasingly dangerous situations, Riggs and Murtaugh begin to form a bond. Riggs' volatile behavior might just help them apprehend the criminals - if it doesn't kill them both first.

Cast

Mel Gibson - Martin Riggs

Danny Glover - Roger Murtaugh

Gary Busey - Joshua

Mitchell Ryan - The General

Tom Atkins - Michael Hunsaker

Darlene Love - Trish Murtaugh

Jackie Swanson - Amanda Hunsaker

Damon Hines - Nick Murtaugh

Ebonie Smith - Carrie Murtaugh

Steve Kahan - Captain Ed Murphy

Mary Ellen Trainor - Psychologist

Al Leong - Endo

Traci Wolfe - Rianne Murtaugh

Writer: Shane Black (The Predator; The Nice Guys)

Director: Richard Donner (R.I.P) (16 Blocks; Timeline; Superman/Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut)

Rated R (109 minutes)

Back in 1987, the action-packed buddy-cop franchise 'Lethal Weapon' was born. All the movies feature great action and fun moments. So, let's kick off this action series with the 1987 movie, 'Lethal Weapon.'

Even though each of the installments have their own unique share of memorable moments, they definitely don't beat the first movie! Once Mel Gibson and Danny Glover appear on-screen together, you can tell that they have great on-screen chemistry and their bantering scenes are always entertaining!

Both of them can be downright hilarious and even tense when they need to be. Especially Mel Gibson as Riggs!!!

And, of course, I gotta mention all the action. 'Lethal Weapon' features lots of great action pieces and an action-packed final fight between Gibson and bad guy Gary Busey that's just awesome!

Indeed, there are SEVERAL buddy cop movies out there. But, none of them come remotely close to this awesome 1987 action-comedy!

All four 'Lethal Weapon' movies are streaming on HBO Max until July 31. Once they leave the streaming platform, you can find them on various PVOD rental services or until they come back to HBO Max.

Here are some interesting tidbits for 'Lethal Weapon':

• Jackie Swanson performed the high fall in the opening sequence on her own, trained by legendary stuntman Dar Robinson. Also, the stunt was done using an airbag covered with a life-size painting of the driveway and cars, which, like a foreground miniature, visually blends into the real scene. Thus, the editor is able to hold the shot until just as she makes contact with the airbag, for greater realism.

• Mel Gibson turned down starring roles in 'The Fly' and 'The Untouchables' in order to do this movie.

• On 'E! True Hollywood Story,' Gary Busey says he was hired to play Joshua because they were looking for someone big and menacing to be a believable foe for Gibson. Busey also credits the film for reviving his failing movie career.

• Legendary stuntman Dar Robinson was killed in a motorcycle accident shortly after principal photography was finished. Donner dedicated the movie to him.

• Murtaugh tells Riggs that Hunsaker saved his life in the Ia Drang Valley in 1965. Gibson would later play Colonel Hal Moore in 2002s 'We Were Soldiers,' which is an adaptation of that battle.

• During pre-production, Gibson and Glover shadowed LAPD officers, and Donner consulted the LA County Sheriff's Dept., to ensure an authentic portrayal of the police force.

• The only 'Lethal Weapon' where Riggs' shoulder isn't dislocated, which became a franchise trademark.

• After the script was purchased for $250,000, studio production execs offered it to Donner, who also loved it. Leonard Nimroy was one of the choices considered for directing, but he didn't feel comfortable doing action films, and he was working on 'Three Men and a Baby' at the time.

• Released on March 6, 1987, 'Lethal Weapon' was No. 1 at the box office for three weeks before 'Blind Date' supplanted it. It grossed $120.2 million worldwide ($65.2 million domestic) and is widely considered to be one of the best buddy cop films of all time, influencing numerous "buddy cop" movies, such as 'Samurai Cop,' 'Hot Fuzz,' 'Tango & Cash,' 'Bad Boys' and 'Rush Hour.'

• On January 19, 2011 WB announced plans to reboot 'Lethal Weapon' without Glover or Gibson. The new franchise was set to feature the same characters but a new cast. The movie reboot was cancelled and a TV series version premiered on Fox in September 2016 and lasted three seasons.

https://youtu.be/bKeW-MGu-qQ