See more movie reviews

Lethal Weapon (PG-13, 1987)

common sense media says

Mismatched cops spar in violent '80s action hit.

parents & educators say
See all 9 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this film contains graphic violence. Though the tone of this movie is mostly serious, it treats the deaths of villains and innocent civilians in a very casual manner, as if killing bad guys is simply part of the job of being a cop. The only violence that seems to have a psychic toll is the harm done to young, attractive women. Sex is portrayed only in the context of prostitution and murder.

Positive messages: Brute force always wins out here.
Violence: On-screen shootings, suicide, torture.
Sex: Female nudity, talk of prostitution.
Language: Plenty of cursing.
Consumerism: This is part of a series. Also, the movie features TV programs – Family Feud, Warner Brothers cartoons, The 3 Stooges.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Cocaine, alcohol, tobacco, reference to marijuana, all portrayed in a negative light.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Lethal Weapon

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the violence here. Do you think there is a message here amongst the carnage -- or is this simply an action film and not meant to be taken seriously? Another topic to explore is the film brought the archetypal "buddy picture" to the forefront of Hollywood cinema. Families may want to compare and contrast the ways in which this theme is presented in more recent films such as Rush Hour, Shanghai Noon, and Men in Black. How do these films use race as a comedic device?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Upon turning 50, L.A. detective Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover) has been assigned a new partner, the suicidal loose cannon Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson). Murtaugh, a family man, and Riggs, a widower, form the obligatory cop/buddy odd couple, bickering at first, and then gradually rubbing off on one another. They are assigned to investigate the death of a prostitute who happens to be the daughter of Murtaugh's old army buddy. The men behind the crime are part of the Shadow Company, a clique of drug-dealing Vietnam veterans. After the bad guys kidnap Murtaugh's teen daughter, things get personal, and the cops are forced to play rough.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
LETHAL WEAPON is an unsubtle action movie that trades intrigue for visceral emotion. Angst hangs over much of the film. This world is populated with vengeance-crazed murderers and lonely suicides. Writer Shane Black peppers the movie with gallows humor, and veteran action director Richard Donner keeps things lean and mean, refusing to complicate the simple drug-running plot with so much as a twist.

The film caters to the audience's bloodlust, allowing us to relish Riggs' ruthless retribution by making him pay for his sins with his sanity. The violence is justified only in the sense that the bad guys are drug-running murderers, and so deserve to die. Gibson excels at playing the dispenser of righteous violence, and tragically flawed action hero. Lethal Weapon is suspenseful, but never quite achieves the fever pitch of a Die Hard film. It is more interested in justifying violence than making the audience think.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Warner Bros.
Director: Richard Donner
Cast: Danny Glover, Gary Busey, Mel Gibson
Genre: Action/Adventure
Run time: 110 minutes
Theatrical release: March 6, 1987
DVD release: March 25, 1997
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA explanation: Restricted
This review was written by Elliot Panek
 
 

Review It

 

Review Lethal Weapon

Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.
 

What parents & educators say

Most useful reviews by all members

Dr3w
adult
 
Seriously people?
So, let's see... Fourteen year olds would be ok seeing a film that involves topless prostitutes, bloody violence, and f-bomb lobbing. Just saying that makes me shudder... Who decides this stuff? Ridiculous! I watched an edited copy of this film, and that would be the only way I would ever let a fourteen year old see it! This is rated R! Common Sense Media is mistaken in thinking that this is PG-13. Stop thinking of reasons to justify this film because it's not as bad as some other R-rated film. Bad is bad. There will always be something worse, so stop comparing!
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (8) | had useful details (6) | read my mind (6)
betty5677
kid, 12 years old
 
not for kids under 18
i think this movie is 18+. do not let any of your under 18- children see it please. it has alot of violence. i wont see it again myself either
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (6) | had useful details (7) | read my mind (5)
DisneyFan
adult
 
Great Movie, Not For Kids
I love this movie, but I'm pretty sure it's actually rated "R" and not "PG-13". I think it is one of the finest action/cop buddy movie around, but certainly not for kids. There is no way that a child could comprehend the anguish that is felt by a man who has lost his wife and wants to kill himself, or the loss of an adult child to a murder. This movie is very well acted and exciting, but needs to be watched by adults only.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (5) | had useful details (5) | read my mind (8)
MRW2
kid, 8 years old
9
 
Quite good, but MILD gruesomeness and explicitness
Good, but mild violence, sexual content, profanity and drugs.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (5) | had useful details (5) | read my mind (4)
Chris LP
adult
 
This is the best cop movie ever made!!
This is my favorite cop movie. It's also a buddy movie. It does have several sequences of nudity. The violence is also pretty strong. Some strong language. When all is said and done, it's okay for teens.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (7) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (4)
ollie manu 546
kid, 12 years old
11
 
good action comedy but make sure young kids dont see
lethal weapon is a good action film but it is not really for young kids because it is violent bad language and the plot is about finding the murder of a prostitute i say 11 to 12 could watch it is very good and funny .
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (5) | had useful details (5) | read my mind (3)
dolphinlover9
adult
 
One of the best cop movies ever!
Lethal Weapon is a thrilling, edge of your seat joy ride. If you love Cop buddy movies, this is the grand daddy of them all.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (3) | had useful details (5) | read my mind (4)
michaelc
teen, 14 years old
7
 
kids above 8 should enjoy this action thriller.
It is violent but not to a large extent, it also has a good sensible plot, the only concern would be the unpleasant language.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (3) | had useful details (4) | read my mind (3)
Curcismith123
kid, 11 years old
11
 
:D
Hey! It's pretty good:) The film is full of energy and excitement and it has some nice sequences:D
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (2) | had useful details (2) | read my mind (2)

More reviews ...

An independent voice for families
Age-appropriate reviews
Advice on the big issues
 

vote now

Will you see Lethal Weapon?

Won't miss it
On the fence
No way

Already seen it? What do you think?

I recommend it
It's a pass
 

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors

Browse more movies
About our rating system
ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age
Our child development rating guidelines