Up there with the likes of Die Hard and RoboCop, Lethal Weapon has cemented itself as a bona fide 80s classic. Originally released in 1987, this buddy cop movie was a commercial and critical hit. Nearly 40 years later, it remains a fan favourite, even if some elements haven't aged well. Still, Warner Bros. have released a new 4K edition, which is the best way to watch Lethal Weapon.

Directed by Richard Donner and written by Shane Black (his first produced screenplay, too), this is a typical flick that sees mismatched cops forced to work together and bond. Danny Glover is the straight-faced family man who is “too old for this shit”, and Mel Gibson is the suicidal loose canon. What elevates Lethal Weapon from being a standard action film is how it takes its time to let the audience really get to know the characters. Are the characterisations and arcs surface-level and stereotypical? Sure. But they're executed so well that it doesn't matter.

The writing and editing give the characters room to breathe, and the quieter conversational scenes are just as riveting as the bombastic set pieces. Black's script is whip-smart, featuring a slew of hilarious one-liners and back-and-forths between the cast. Donner competently directs the action, but it's the stunt crew who deserve most praise. Lethal Weapon has a surprising amount of daring and exhilarating stunts, including jumps from the top of buildings and intense hand-to-hand combat.

What holds everything together are the performances. Glover effortlessly slips into the role of Roger Murtaugh. Not completely deadpan, Glover delivers the laughs and charm, but also emotion as his family becomes entangled with the film's central investigation. The elephant in the room, however, is Gibson. He's genuinely terrific as Martin Riggs—a former special forces soldier who has recently lost his wife—showcasing his range of quiet and explosive intensity, as well as action chops and comedic delivery. But of course, Gibson has a high-profile track record of anti-Semitic, homophobic, racist and violent outbursts. His history has tarnished an otherwise stellar film.

With the 4K transfer itself, the results are great. The 4K image is sharp, but Lethal Weapon retains its film stock texture. HDR colour mixing is used to effectively (Riggs' red shirt stands out), but unlike other 4K HDR discs, the contrast isn't distracting or in your face. A new Dolby Atmos sound mix is included, which is satisfactory for the most part. It certainly favours effects and music—the saxophone and guitar-laden soundtrack sounds terrific, and the house explosion will rattle any home speaker setup. Unfortunately, dialogue can often get lost in the mix.

Minor quibbles aside, this is the definitive way to experience Lethal Weapon. It's a solid transfer that will let fans repeatedly enjoy Riggs and Murtaugh's adventures on modern home cinema setups. It's unfortunate that Gibson's real-life decisions have cast a shadow over this enjoyable flick.

Lethal Weapon is available now on 4K Blu-ray.