Lethal Weapon 4K Ultra HD Review

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

Introduction: Defining a Genre

Released in March 1987, Richard Donner’s Lethal Weapon wasn’t just another action movie; it detonated onto screens, redefining the buddy cop formula and setting a high-octane standard that reverberates through the genre to this day. Written by a young Shane Black and starring Mel Gibson and Danny Glover in career-defining roles, the film became an instant box office smash, grossing over $120 million globally and spawning a beloved franchise. Its potent mix of visceral action, surprising depth, and razor-sharp character dynamics cemented its place as a cornerstone of 80s cinema.

The Unbeatable Chemistry: Gibson & Glover

At the film’s pulsing heart lies the electric, now-iconic partnership of Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson) and Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover). The two detectives are tasked with investigating a complicated case initially classified as the suicide of a young woman who fell from a balcony while under the influence of drugs. The inquiry becomes increasingly complex upon the discovery that her drugs had been intentionally adulterated with poison. The genius lies in their stark, yet perfectly complementary, contrasts. Riggs is a live wire – a former Green Beret shattered by his wife’s recent death, teetering on the edge of suicide, his volatility masking profound trauma. Murtaugh is his polar opposite: a stable, by-the-book family man celebrating his 50th birthday, yearning for peace and constantly muttering he’s “too old for this shit.” Their initial pairing is pure friction, a clash of worlds. Yet, Donner and the actors masterfully chart the evolution from mutual distrust and exasperation to a hard-won, deeply genuine camaraderie. Gibson delivers Riggs with unpredictable, raw energy and moments of startling vulnerability, while Glover provides the perfect anchor of weary pragmatism and dry humor. Their banter crackles, their arguments feel real, and the unspoken bond that forms as they face danger together is the film’s most potent and enduring magic. This wasn’t just casting; it was alchemy.

Donner’s Kinetic Mastery: Action with Soul

Richard Donner’s direction is a masterclass in balancing relentless energy with character focus. Lethal Weapon delivers explosive, visceral action sequences – the opening plunge, intense shootouts, brutal hand-to-hand combat (showcasing specialized martial arts training the actors underwent), and spectacularly destructive car chases that became benchmarks. The camera work is dynamic, placing the audience squarely in the chaos, whether it’s a high-speed pursuit or a close-quarters brawl. Yet, Donner never lets the spectacle overwhelm the characters. He understands the importance of quieter moments, allowing scenes to breathe so Riggs’ pain and Murtaugh’s familial warmth can resonate. The pace is breathless but expertly modulated, ensuring the action serves the story and deepens our connection to the mismatched duo. The film’s gritty, sun-baked LA aesthetic adds to its grounded intensity, while Michael Kamen’s iconic score, featuring Eric Clapton’s guitar and David Sanborn’s saxophone, perfectly underscores both the adrenaline and the burgeoning partnership.

Enduring Influence: The Buddy Cop Blueprint

Lethal Weapon’s impact on the action genre, particularly the buddy cop subgenre, is undeniable and profound. It perfected a formula countless films have since tried to replicate: the volatile, rule-breaking wild card paired with the cautious, grounded veteran; explosive action seamlessly interwoven with sharp humor; personal demons driving the characters; and, crucially, the development of a deep, believable bond forged in fire between the partners. While imitators flooded the market, few captured the film’s unique alchemy – its willingness to embrace genuine darkness (Riggs’ suicidal ideation) alongside laugh-out-loud moments, its commitment to character depth amidst the chaos, and the sheer, undeniable chemistry of its leads. It proved that action could be thrilling, funny, and emotionally resonant all at once. Its success directly paved the way for three popular sequels and cemented the “lethal” partnership as pop culture icons.

Verdict: A Timeless Action Classic

Over three decades later, Lethal Weapon retains its power. It’s a thrilling ride, brilliantly directed by Donner, packed with memorable set pieces and a sharp script. But its true legacy lies in the unforgettable partnership of Gibson and Glover. Their performances transcend the genre, injecting raw humanity and humor into the mayhem. Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Sound and lauded by critics upon release, the film remains the gold standard for buddy cop action – a potent, character-driven masterpiece fueled by iconic performances and filmmaking craft that still feels electrifying. It’s not just a great action movie; it’s the definitive template.

The Video

Warner Bros. provides no information on their restoration of Lethal Weapon, but it was originally shot on 35mm Eastman 125T 5247 and 400T 5294 film stock with Panavision Panaflex Gold cameras and Panavision Super Speed Z-Series MKII lenses. It comes to 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray with a 1.85:1 HEVC 2160p (4K UHD) HDR10 encodement. HDR10 metadata shows a MaxLL of 995 nits and MaxFALL of 197 nits. It is not a gimmicky HDR grading insofar as brightness and colors but highlights pop nicely and the colors are vibrant. Film grain is very thin and consistent for most of the film, serving up crisp details, however, I did see issues with frozen grain/mosquito noise. At around the 01:14:57 mark as Gibson’s head moves, you see chunks of grain move in the same direction. This is the third recent Warner 4K release I have seen this issue on, the others being Dirty Harry and Dr. No.

The Audio

Lethal Weapon comes to 4K with a new Dolby Atmos mix as well as the original theatrical mix in DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0, which is only available with the theatrical version of the film. The Atmos mix may not be authentic, but it is masterful for a film from 1987. It has superb height awareness and staggering low-end extension for its age. Every gunshot blast sounds weighty, and the big explosions really rumble. Dialogue is clear, and we get solid atmospherics in the base channels.

The Supplements

Warner Bros. didn’t add much to this release, including only two “pat on the back” featurettes and the Movies Anywhere digital copy code.

Bonus Features:

• Movies Anywhere Digital Code
• A Legacy of Inspiration: Remembering Dick Donner (1080p; 00:07:00)
• “I’m Too Old for This…”: A Chemistry That Became Iconic (1080p; 00:06:06)

The Final Assessment

The ultimate off couple buddy cop flick that still holds up today, and is looking and sounding better than ever in this 4K release, despite some minor compression issues.

Lethal Weapon is out on 4K Ultra HD + Digital June 24, 2025 from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment

Details

• Rating Certificate: R
• Studios & Distributors: Warner Bros. | Silver Pictures | Warner Bros. Home Entertainment
• Director: Richard Donner
• Written By: Shane Black | Jeffrey Boam
• Run Time: 109 Mins. (Theatrical Version) | 117 Mins. (Director’s Cut)
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
• Video Format: HEVC 2160p (4K UHD)
• HDR Format: HDR10
• HDR10 Metadata:
  • MaxLL: 995 nits
  • MaxFALL: 197 nits
• Primary Audio: English Dolby Atmos (Dolby TrueHD 7.1 Compatible)
• Secondary Audio: Original Theatrical English (Theatrical Version Only) English DTS-HD MA 2.0 Stereo | French DD 5.1 | German DD 5.1 | Italian DD 5.1 | Spanish (Castilian) DD 5.1 | Spanish (Latino) (Theatrical Version Only) DD 1.0
• Subtitles: English SDH | French | German SDH | Italian SDH | Spanish (Castilian) | Dutch | Chinese | Spanish (Latino) | Danish | Finnish | Norwegian | Swedish