Lethal Weapon 1987

Gene Siskel, Chicago Tribune: [Gibson and Glover] make a great team, and some of their early adventures are exciting. But the film runs out of gas as it turns into an extended chase sequence. Read more

Johanna Steinmetz, Chicago Tribune: As action-adventure, it's pointlessly puerile, a movie where the heroes are so childish they try to one-up each other with fancy shots at the pistol range. Read more

Michael Wilmington, Los Angeles Times: At center is the first big, juicy mythic-hero part Gibson has had since Mad Max. Read more

Desmond Ryan, Philadelphia Inquirer: The story, which proceeds with inevitability, is enlivened by Donner's rousing action sequences. Read more

Janet Maslin, New York Times: The film is all fast action, noisy stunts and huge, often unflattering close-ups, but it packs an undeniable wallop. Read more

Pat Graham, Chicago Reader: Empty glitz in search of a style. Read more

James Berardinelli, ReelViews: From a distance, Lethal Weapon might appear generic, but a closer look reveals something special. Read more

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: I'm a guy who is bored by shootouts and chase scenes. I've seen it all. But this movie thrilled me from beginning to end. Read more

Richard Schickel, TIME Magazine: What a concept! Mad Max meets The Cosby Show</i.. What a surprise! It works better than a fastidious mind might imagine. Read more

Geoff Brown, Time Out: In this classy all-action thriller, Mel Gibson oozes charm the way his victims ooze blood. Read more

Variety Staff, Variety: Lethal Weapon is a film teetering on the brink of absurdity when it gets serious, but thanks to its unrelenting energy and insistent drive, it never quite falls. Read more

Richard Harrington, Washington Post: A vivid, visceral reminder of just how exciting an action film can be. Read more

Rita Kempley, Washington Post: A pistol-packing, snap-crackling blow-out. Read more