Mel Gibson is not the box office star that he was in Lethal Weapon movies. In the 80's and 90's however, Gibson was an A-List movie star who could do no wrong in many people's eyes. Perhaps his greatest role came in the Lethal Weapon movies as Martin Riggs. Like John McClain in Die Hard or Neo in the Matrix trilogy, Riggs was a character that captured the hearts and minds of those beyond the films themselves. Despite his current drama, he will always be remembered as the star of some of the best action films of all time.
Suicidal Tendencies
Lethal Weapon first introduces Martin Riggs sitting on his couch, watching the Three Stooges, with a gun in his mouth trying to bring himself to pull the trigger. He is the definition of suffering and depression after the tragic death of his wife months earlier. It is an unusual introduction to an action movie star for Hollywood films in the eighties.
The suicidal life on the edge attitude is what propelled Riggs into the story. He would walk into the sights of a sniper or jump off a roof alongside a potential suicide jumper when other cops would not. His dangerous persona is what led to him being partnered with the button down straight laced Murtaugh. The relationship between those two is the emotional foundation that all 4 Lethal Weapon movies are built upon.
The Man's Man
Guys want to be Riggs. He is the epitome of traits that most men like to believe they possess themselves. He doesn't hesitate to chase down a car full of bad guys on foot. He will fight to the death to avenge those he loves that have been hurt. He can dislocate his shoulder at will and enjoys dog biscuits.
A Shot at the Title
Perhaps the single best moment of any of the Lethal Weapon movies comes at the end of the first film. Mr. Joshua, played by Gary Busey, is the primary villain of the film and comes from a similar background as Riggs. Once they have apprehended Joshua and are about to take him into custody, Riggs is staring at him with an intense look of rage that is also felt by every person watching the movie. Although the good guys have won, there was no big 'showdown' between the two after the movie had been building up to it throughout. Mr. Joshua, now in handcuffs, locks eyes with Riggs and you can tell he feels the exact same way.
"You want a shot at the title?" Riggs asks. Mr. Joshua immediately accepts and the police release him from their grasp to allow the fight to occur. With police surrounding them, Riggs and Joshua fight hand-to-hand in the rain until Riggs subdues him with a seldom seen in movies triangle chokehold. The brilliance of that scene is what defines not just the Lethal Weapon movies but action films in general; disregarding what would happen or should happen in real life, in favor of what everyone just wants to see happen.
Suicidal Tendencies
Lethal Weapon first introduces Martin Riggs sitting on his couch, watching the Three Stooges, with a gun in his mouth trying to bring himself to pull the trigger. He is the definition of suffering and depression after the tragic death of his wife months earlier. It is an unusual introduction to an action movie star for Hollywood films in the eighties.
The suicidal life on the edge attitude is what propelled Riggs into the story. He would walk into the sights of a sniper or jump off a roof alongside a potential suicide jumper when other cops would not. His dangerous persona is what led to him being partnered with the button down straight laced Murtaugh. The relationship between those two is the emotional foundation that all 4 Lethal Weapon movies are built upon.
The Man's Man
Guys want to be Riggs. He is the epitome of traits that most men like to believe they possess themselves. He doesn't hesitate to chase down a car full of bad guys on foot. He will fight to the death to avenge those he loves that have been hurt. He can dislocate his shoulder at will and enjoys dog biscuits.
A Shot at the Title
Perhaps the single best moment of any of the Lethal Weapon movies comes at the end of the first film. Mr. Joshua, played by Gary Busey, is the primary villain of the film and comes from a similar background as Riggs. Once they have apprehended Joshua and are about to take him into custody, Riggs is staring at him with an intense look of rage that is also felt by every person watching the movie. Although the good guys have won, there was no big 'showdown' between the two after the movie had been building up to it throughout. Mr. Joshua, now in handcuffs, locks eyes with Riggs and you can tell he feels the exact same way.
"You want a shot at the title?" Riggs asks. Mr. Joshua immediately accepts and the police release him from their grasp to allow the fight to occur. With police surrounding them, Riggs and Joshua fight hand-to-hand in the rain until Riggs subdues him with a seldom seen in movies triangle chokehold. The brilliance of that scene is what defines not just the Lethal Weapon movies but action films in general; disregarding what would happen or should happen in real life, in favor of what everyone just wants to see happen.
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