The 12 Films of Christmas: Lethal Weapon (1987)

By Thomas Broome-Jones

In case you haven't quite worked it out yet, I'm a fan of unconventional Christmas films. Lethal Weapon is an all-time action classic and one that I think holds up very well.

The set-up is simple and effective, and old cop (Danny Glover) is paired with a new young hotshot (Mel Gibson) and they have to beat the bad guy together, it's easy to understand and is executed perfectly.

I think Glover only just realized that Gibson's a racist.

I'm a big fan of Danny Glover, I think he's a good actor with real charm and charisma, I mean he pretty much carried Predator 2 and has demonstrated both comic and straight acting abilities. He can be funny when he wants to and he can be serious when he wants to, an invaluable talent for any actor.

This film was also made before Mel Gibson went absolutely bonkers and is one of his best performances, him and Glover have wicked chemistry and both portray likable characters that can more than handle themselves.

The action is just the right kind of testosterone-fueled action junkie gun porn fare for all to enjoy. Although this most definitely isn't fun for all the family, that is unless your family enjoys electric shock torture.

If you're looking for an unconventional Christmas film to watch this year and have just done Die Hard far too many times, then this is the one for you.

Thomas Broome-Jones is on Twitter, you can follow him @TBroomey.