Los Angeles police sergeant Roger Murtaugh, who has just turned 50 years old, is assigned to investigate the death of Amanda Hunsaker, a prostitute who is one of the daughters of bank president Michael Hunsaker, a friend whom Roger has known since they were in the Vietnam War together, but Roger hasn't seen Michael in 12 years. Beginning with this investigation, Roger is assigned a new partner Sergeant Martin Riggs, who has been suicidal ever since his wife Victoria "Vicky" Lynn Riggs died in a car crash in 1984. Riggs and Murtaugh's investigation of Amanda's death reveals that she was murdered. Upon hearing of this, Michael tells Murtaugh that he would like for whoever is behind Amanda's murder to end up dead, like Amanda. Riggs and Murtaugh's investigation continues and it makes them the targets of Shadow Company, a group of former Vietnam War era mercenaries who now bring heroin into the Los Angeles County region. Shadow Company's leader, General Peter McAllister, and his right hand man, Mr. Joshua, want Riggs and Murtaugh dead, no matter what the cost.
suspect_5 has been telling me to watch these films for a while now and I had 2 hours to kill, so I figured what the heck. I have a ton of respect for writer Shane Black since he wrote one of my favorite movies of all-time, THE LAST BOY SCOUT. This was the typical action film with not as much humor, but Mel Gibson made up with the excitement of his character, Riggs. Gary Busey was enjoyable for the minimal role he had in the film. And finally, I can't believe I caught this because she was in the film for about 15 seconds in quick shots, but this was Joan Severance's first film.
