80s action heroes were larger than life. Actors like Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger dominated action cinema with their hulking physiques and bizarre kill counts. Then came the unexpected everyman, Bruce Willis‘ John McClane, the reluctant hero. Tough as nails, but out of his depths.
These men defined an era of cinema where heroes were either indestructible gods or incredibly lucky survivors. However, if you look past the neon lights and the synth soundtracks of 80s action, the most dangerous man of the decade wasn’t wearing a headband or a wife-beater. He was wearing a denim jacket and a look of total indifference toward his own life. The toughest action hero of the 80s is Martin Riggs. Here’s why.
Martin Riggs: The “Sleeper” Hero
When Lethal Weapon hit movie theaters in 1987, Mel Gibson was known to the more fanatic of action cinema lovers. Mad Max made him a big name in Australia, but not everyone knew who he was in Hollywood. With his long hair and more slender and sleek physique, he didn’t look like one of your typical 80s action heroes. However, he portrayed Martin Riggs in such a way that it wasn’t all about muscles and guns anymore, it was about ferocity.
Martin Riggs is introduced not just as a cop, but as a “registered lethal weapon.” While Die Hard‘s John McClane is an NYPD beat cop who happens to be in the wrong place at the right time, Riggs is a precision-engineered killer. His pedigree is unmatched. As a veteran of the Phoenix Project in Vietnam – a CIA-directed program for unconventional warfare and assassinations – Riggs wasn’t just a soldier; he was a specialist in state-sanctioned liquidation. When he tells Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover) he killed a man from 1,000 yards in Laos with a sniper rifle, it isn’t a boast. It’s a statement of fact. In a hypothetical showdown against the likes of Stallone’s Cobra or Schwarzenegger’s Matrix from Commando, Riggs is the only one who wins the fight before the opponent even knows they are in one.
The Psychological Edge: The Death Wish
From the very first shot we see of Martin Riggs, it’s clear that he is unhinged. Mel Gibson executes his delivery with such layers that it’s captivating to watch. We feel sorry for this grieving man, but we mostly feel intrigued as to what he will do next – a true wild card. This is what truly separates Riggs from his contemporaries.
To compare to other 80s action heroes, Rambo fights because he is pushed into a corner; McClane fights because he wants to go home to his wife. At the start of the franchise, Riggs wants to die. This suicidal edge is a tactical superpower. In any physical confrontation, the person who doesn’t fear the consequences of their own injury or demise is the most dangerous person in the room. This fearlessness manifests in a pain tolerance that borders on the supernatural. We see Riggs dislocate his own shoulder to escape a straightjacket and endure high-voltage electrocution at the hands of Mr. Joshua. So, the question becomes: how do you intimidate a man who wakes up every morning disappointed that he’s still alive? The answer is, you can’t.
80s Action Heroes Square Off
From a technical filmmaking perspective, Martin Riggs changed how action heroes fought. Before 1987, fight scenes were heavy-handed brawls. Big over-the-top haymakers and fast hammer punches. Riggs introduced the world to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) years before the UFC made it a household name. To prepare for his epic final fight scene with Mr. Joshua (Gary Busey), Gibson trained with legendary Jiu-Jitsu master Rorion Gracie, and that expertise is totally visible. While other 80s action heroes were swinging away with massive punches, Riggs was using triangle chokes and armbars. So, against a “tough guy” like Cobra or Matrix, Riggs’ ability to take the fight to the ground and apply a submission would end the confrontation in seconds.
But what if all of the 80s action heroes were put in one room? Who would rise triumphant? Martin Riggs – and here’s why. Against John McClane, Riggs would be able to withstand his brutal brawling power and outsmart him with martial arts techniques. In a gun battle, Riggs’ sniper skills alone negate McClane’s street-smart survival instincts.
Riggs Vs. Rambo: This is the heavyweight championship. While Rambo is a master of the woods, Riggs is a master of the urban jungle. Riggs’ proficiency in modern hand-to-hand combat gives him the edge once the ammo runs out.
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