The ultimate insane henchman and arguably one of the notoriously unhinged Gary Busey's best suited roles, Mr. Joshua brought a real sense of menace to Lethal Weapon. At its heart the first tale of odd couple Riggs and Murtaugh is an action movie that isn't afraid to touch on some dark subject matter, and it is a story which requires something sinister and Busey's rabid dog of a mercenary is just what the movie needed. A lot of the character is drawn from the actor's face with stern glares turning to deranged bug eyes instantly lending an unpredictable nature which is essential in creating a real sense of danger. He also commits some of the most memorable moments in the film, stealing some of Riggs' thunder: whether that's standing stock still while his hand is burned by a lighter or shooting a television to bits and declaring his hatred for Christmas. The finale of Lethal Weapon is a classic piece of action cinema in which Riggs battles the deranged Joshua on Murtaugh's front lawn. It's a brutal exchange of blows but in the end not even Gary Busey can out-crazy Mel Gibson and as such is defeated. He meets his end in a hail of gunfire from the partners, serving the franchise in death by bringing them closer together.
A pop culture mad writer from the North East who loves films, television and debating them with whoever will listen.
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