Epitome Of A Western Hero In Lethal Weapon

In 1987, when Lethal Weapon was first released, the western genre was on a decline, yet their influence on the film industry remained. The screenwriter for Lethal Weapon, Shane Black, claimed, “What I was looking to do at that time was write an urban western.” That in mind, Lethal Weapon shows many characteristics common to Westerns. It has an emphasis on scenery, upholding the law, and powerful, can-do-anything protagonists. Lethal Weapon most importantly displays attributes in Riggs similar to classic Western heroes. The epitome of a Western hero is Shane. Martin Riggs is the embodiment of Shane’s character in a semi-modern setting. He is able to complete seemingly impossible physical tasks with ease, he embodies the mysterious newcomer trope, he must utilize his dark past for good, and by the end of the first movie, he evolves his principles of honor and integrity to have the same values on life as Shane.

Shane is a classic western character. He is the origin of the often portrayed protagonist who overcomes daunting tasks with an expert display of physical skills. 50 years later in Lethal Weapon, Martin Riggs personifies Shane’s

ability to excel at every task. They are both expert marksman. Shane displays his ability with a gun when he outshoots Jack Wilson, a notorious gunfighter, in the bar. Similarly, Riggs reveals his ability to shoot when he outdoes Roger Murtaugh at the shooting range and when he provides sniper support for Murtaugh. He kills four men in 36 seconds from hundreds of yards away. They are also both outstanding in hand-to-hand combat. Shane is able to overtake six of Fletcher’s ranch hands, with only the help of Joe Starrett, in the local saloon. Riggs is able to best the main antagonist, an ex-special forces operative, in an allout brawl. They both share the unsurpassable protagonist characterization. No alternative character is able to display a higher level of physical skill than Riggs or Shane.
Shane helped to introduce the mysterious newcomer trope into the film scene in 1957. The trope is common in many famous films such as Gladiator, Spartacus, The Grey, Mad Max, and the Princess Bride. Lethal Weapon incorporates this trope through the new partnership of Roger Murtaugh and Martin Riggs. Murtaugh is an established detective at the L.A.P.D. and Riggs is his new partner, from a different department. Originally, Riggs’ actions and methods are extremely unconventional. Most of the department believes he is suicidal due to his insane action. For example, he prevents a man from committing suicide by handcuffing themselves together and forcing him to jump off of the roof. He also captures a man, who has him in a chokehold at gunpoint, by screaming at the man to shoot him until the gunman freaks out and Riggs can turn the situation around. It is referenced throughout the movie that the root of his almost-suicidal actions is from his dark past: the death of his wife, mother, and orphan upbringing. Riggs’ past has been so awful that he does not fear death. Much of the Lethal Weapon franchise is dedicated to uncovering his past, which is very similar to Shane.
Both storylines share the same key subplot of revealing the protagonists past and attempt to escape it. Shane is attempting to avoid his previous life as a gunfighter by not killing anymore. Riggs is more complicated. He is attempting to hide his inner demons. He is one of the best killers in the world and he is full of immense pain. He must try to act normal, in order to keep the one part of his life that still has meaning to him: his job as a detective. In the end, Shane and Rigs are not able to escape their past; they are both forced to unleash it. They must use their skills and abilities from their previous lives to protect the people they care about. Shane saves the Starrett’s farm and Riggs saves Murtaugh’s daughter. In both films, the protagonists have a mysterious past, which they must utilize in order to do what is right.
Shane has come to represent a symbol of honor. He does not kill unless it is necessary. Riggs in this aspect is different. He shoots to kill and is not phased by it.
ROGER MURTAUGH: Have you ever met anybody you didn't kill?
MARTIN RIGGS: Well, I haven't killed you yet.

ROGER MURTAUGH: Well don't do me no favors!

While Riggs may have started as a remorseless killer, he evolves as the movie progresses. By the end of the first movie, he starts to embody the same virtues as Shane. During the final fight, when Riggs has Joshua pinned in a chokehold, he has the opportunity to kill him. Joshua had been one of the main antagonists throughout the whole movie and had Riggs tortured. Riggs claimed he would Make Joshua pay for what he’s done, but when he has the chance to kill him he chooses not to and says, “It’s not worth it.” He does not think it is worth killing Joshua even after he had him tortured.

Martin Riggs represents what Shane would have been like before the met the Starretts and comes to share the same values as Shane when he does meet the

Starretts.
Shane created a type of character commonly seen in movies today. It is not surprising that Lethal Weapon is an example of Shane’s impact. Westerns impact on today's movies is huge; tons of movies display Western characters or characteristics. It is not hidden, many directors will speak to the influence the West has had on their films. While it is not hidden, many people notice it because they do not know what to look for. This class has helped me gain the ability to break down movies and discover what possible effects the Western genre may have had on them. That being said, I now realize the immense impact the West has had in movies today. Every action movie follows the Western narrative to some extent. It is important to recognize this, so that we can give tribute to the genre that helped mold our movie industry and subsequently our society.