When I think hard action movies, my head drifts off to a better time. A time where the ozone layer depleting was our greatest environmental threat. A time when WHAM! was a socially acceptable music group to listen to. A time when Theodore Huxtable was America’s dad. A time when greed was good, and coke was everywhere. Yes, I’m talking about the 80s, the golden age of hard action movies.

I’m not sure what happened to to action genre (the PG-13 rating is prime suspect), but after the 80s it all pretty much went downhill. I mean, where were the Die Hards? Where were the Robocops? Where were the Predators? Where were the Rambos? I could go on… oh, and I don’t mean sequels. I mean original movies with action like those.

Anyway, one of my favorites from the 80s era is Lethal Weapon. I’ve always had a soft spot for detective flicks. So it wasn’t hard to love this movie. You’ve got Mel Gibson at his best. Danny Glover being… Danny Glover. And Gary Busey, GARY FUCKING BUESY, as the villain! Lethal Weapon is the quintessential hards action 80s flick.

I wish they made action movies like this still. But they don’t. Everything has to be PG-13, which in and of itself prevents and serious villains or subject matter to be brought up. It’s a shame really.

Also, remember, this is pre-CGI, so all this stuff is stuntmen and wires. Well, and insurance. But that doesn’t make it any less awesome. It also takes place on and around Christmas, which puts it, along with Die Hard, in my Top 10 Christmas Movies of All Time.

Until next time, keep writing!
-Steve