Mel Gibson’s 1987 film Lethal Weapon, an action-comedy that helped establish his star power, is now freely available for streaming. This underrated movie showcases Gibson’s versatility well beyond his Oscar-winning role in Braveheart, proving his talent in blending humor with intense action.
How Lethal Weapon Showcased Mel Gibson’s Range Beyond Historical Drama
Directed by Richard Donner, best known for Superman, Lethal Weapon pairs Mel Gibson with Danny Glover as two very different LAPD detectives forced into partnership. Released in 1987, the film was met with strong positive reviews and quickly became a box office hit, earning $120.2 million from a modest $15 million budget. Its commercial success revived and reshaped the buddy cop genre of the 1980s with thrilling action sequences and expertly choreographed stunts.
Unlike Gibson’s previous roles, such as Max Rockatansky in the Mad Max series, Lethal Weapon allowed him to reveal a more nuanced performance. He portrayed Martin Riggs, a detective grappling with the loss of his wife, blending dramatic depth with comedic elements. This performance diverged sharply from the antihero killer personas he was often cast as, highlighting Gibson’s ability to balance humor and emotional intensity. His on-screen chemistry with Glover created one of the most memorable and enduring buddy cop duos in film history, underscoring how Lethal Weapon remains a key chapter in Gibson’s acting career.
The Legacy and Overshadowed Success of the Lethal Weapon Series
The popularity of the original Lethal Weapon led to three successful sequels throughout the 1990s, all directed by Richard Donner, with Gibson and Glover reprising their roles. While the first three films were generally well-received by critics and audiences alike, the fourth installment showed a noticeable decline in both critical acclaim and box office performance.
This downturn contributed to the franchise fading somewhat from public consciousness by the 21st century, despite its overall entertainment value, especially with its blend of action and character-driven stories in earlier sequels. Nevertheless, an upcoming fifth film is currently reported to be in development for HBO Max, with Mel Gibson returning as both director and lead actor alongside Danny Glover. This revival signals a renewed interest in the franchise and provides an ideal opportunity for audiences to revisit all four earlier films currently streaming for free.
The entire Lethal Weapon series is available to stream on Pluto TV in the United States, making it accessible for a new generation of viewers and longtime fans alike. As anticipation builds for the next installment, Gibson’s work in this franchise continues to remind audiences that his talents extend far beyond the historical epic that earned him an Oscar.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What is Mel Gibson’s religion?
A. Gibson grew up in a Traditionalist Catholic environment, which attracted some negative attention. In a 2006 interview with Diane Sawyer, he expressed that \x26quot;vitriolic attacks\x26quot; against him, his family, and beliefs following The Passion violated his \x26quot;human rights.\x26quot;
Q. What is Mel Gibson’s natural accent? Mel Gibson had an Australian accent because he spent much of his childhood and early adulthood in Australia.
A. In real life, Mel Gibson does have an accent. Born in the United States, he moved to Australia when he was young. This mix of American and Australian life gives him a unique way of speaking that can sound like both accents.
