Movie Review - Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F

Director: Mark Molloy
Genre: Action/ Comedy/ Crime
Runtime: 118 minutes
Year: 2024
Starring: Eddie Murphy, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Paul Reiser, Kevin Bacon, Judge Reinhold, Taylour Paige, John Aston, Bronson Pinchot
 
Description: Axel Foley (Eddie Murphy) returns to Beverly Hills after his daughter’s (Taylour Paige) life is threatened, and works with old pals John Taggert (John Aston) and Billy Rosewood) (Judge Reinhold) to uncover a conspiracy.

Review: It has been thirty years since Eddie Murphy last took on the role of Axel Foley in “Beverly Hills Cop 3”(1994) (secretly my favorite 😉). Netfix is reviving the cop with “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F”.

The film opens the way you’d want it: Axel gets behind the wheel of a snow plow and immediately turns the streets of Detroit upside down, hoping to catch a bunch of thugs. It gets completely out of hand, obviously, and before you know it Axel is back in Beverly Hills to help his daughter Jane, who is being threatened. She is a lawyer and is assisting a client falsely accused of killing a cop.

Martin Brest, Tony Scott and John Landis directed the three previous installment of the franchise and debut director Mark Molloy is taking over. He has looked closely at his predecessors and manages to deliver a more than entertaining film. He takes into account the many fans of the previous films (me), but manages to attract a whole new audience as well. Axel Foley is still the foul-mouthed and rule-breaking Detroit cop turning Beverly Hills upside down. It’s not different this time. And other characters we know from these film are returning as well. All though, I was a bit disappointed there. The screentime Axel has with his buddies Billy and Taggert is very limited. And I missed Eddie Murphy’s signature laugh.

The only new element in this film is the father-daughter relationship. For the most part, “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F” is not an innovative film. But a fun addition to the series and an entertaining action comedy. Great that “Akwel” is back, we’ve waited long enough.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

90s Movie Review - Beverly Hills Cop III

Director: John Landis
Genre: Comedy/ Action
Runtime: 104 minutes
Year: 1994
Starring: Eddie Murphy, Judge Reinhold, Hector Elizondo, Theresa Randle, Timothy Carhart, Bronson Pinchot

Description: Axel Foley (Eddie Murphy), while investigating a car theft ring, comes across something much bigger than that: the same men who shot his boss are running a counterfeit money ring out of a theme park in Los Angeles.

Review: This is the third time Eddie Murphy decides to kick some ass as cop Axel Foley. This is definitely not a good movie, it’s probably the worse in the series. But it’s my guilty pleasure and it also puts a smile on my face. So, don’t take this review too seriously.
After his boss got killed in action, Axel Foley visits his old friend Billy Rosewood to help him find the guy who did it. Apparently he’s hiding in an amusement park called Wonder World.
Because of the setting, a theme park, this movie shouldn’t been taking all too seriously. You can expect it to become a bit silly. For me it has many hilarious scenes, that still make me laugh after a few times. But that’s probably just me. For example that scene where Axel meets his old acquaintance Serge. Call me weird, but it cracks me up every time.
“Beverly Hills Cop 3” is a movie I always watch when it’s on television, everyone has movies like that. So the rating is based on its entertainment level and not on the quality of the film.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

80s Movie Review - Beverly Hills Cop II

Director: Tony Scott

Genre: Action/ Comedy

Runtime: 100 minutes

Year: 1987

Starring: Eddie Murphy, Judge Reinhold, John Ashton, Ronny Cox, Jürgen Prochnow, Brigitte Nielsen, Allen Garfield, Dean Stockwell, Paul Reiser, Paul Guilfoyle, Chris Rock

Description: Axel Foley (Eddie Murphy) returns to Beverly Hills to help Taggart (John Ashton) and Rosewood (Judge Reinhold) investigate Chief Bogomil’s near-fatal shooting and the series of “alphabet crimes” associated with it.

Review: Eddie Murphy was added to the cast of “Beverly Hills Cop” at the very last moment. And it gave us a successful and fun comedy action film. In the second part, “Beverly Hills Cop II”, the script is written around his ability to act and improvise. As a viewer you would expect a better elaborated story, but in practice it turns out differently. The story is pretty much the same, but the film isn’t very surprising at all.

Eddie Murphy is still funny and seemingly enjoying his role. The same goes for Judge Reinhold and John Ashton, as Rosewood and Taggart. They get more screentime and their characters have undergone development.

“Beverly Hills Cop II” is again fun, but offers just more of the same ad the previous film.

Rating: 3 / 5

80s Movie Review - Beverly Hills Cop

Director: Martin Brest
Genre: Action/ Comedy
Runtime: 105 minutes
Year: 1984
Starring: Eddie Murphy, Judge Reinhold, John Ashton, Ronny Cox, Lisa Eilbacher, Steven Berkoff, Jonathan Banks, James Russo, Bronson Pinchot, Damon Wayans, Paul Reiser. Stephen Elliott

Description: A freewheeling Detroit cop (Eddie Murphy) pursuing a murder investigation finds himself dealing with the very different culture of Beverly Hills.

Review: The script of “Beverly Hills Cop” was initially written with Sylvester Stallone in mind, but he dropped out at the last moment. With Eddie Murphy as his replacement, the scriptwriters had to rewrite many scenes, but due to the short time frame not all dialogues were finished before filming. With the arrival of Murphy, the film changed from a serious police thriller into a comedic action film, in which the humorous dialogues were mainly created by improvisation.
It shows that the actors has a lot of fun. During the so-called supercop scene, the actors clearly have trouble holding back their smiles. Eddie Murphy is given the freedom to shape his character, Axel Foley, as a last minute stand-in. the creators give him the space, but it’s the supporting roles, which act both as a counterpoint to his character and as a companion to the jokes. The two dull cops of the Beverly Hills police force who excel in this, are played by Judge Reinhold and John Ashton. They play the roles of Billy Rosewood and John Taggart. Together they are also responsible for sharp dialogues.
“Beverly Hills Cop” is probably  one of Eddie Murphy’s most iconic roles and it’s one of the most fun action comedies from the 80s.

Rating: 4 / 5

Best of... Eddie Murphy

Eddie Murphy is such a funny actor and I think he had his best years. So many people critize him nowadays and I decided to spotlight his best movies. Here are my favorite Eddie Murphy movies.

48 Hrs.
A great buddy cop movie and I just love that scene where Eddie Murphy starts singing Roxanne by Sting.

Trading Places
One of the better 80's comedies. Great combo of Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd.

Beverly Hills Cop
The first time Eddie Muprhy as detective Axel Foley. I think this is a role Murphy should be reminded by. His best role so far and very memorable. I love Axel Foley.

The Golden Child
People, why don't you just appreciate this movie? It is so enjoyable and hilarious. You really shouldn't take it that seriously and it's actually one of my favorite by Eddie Murphy.

Beverly Hills Cop 2
Again as Axel Foley and a good sequel.

Coming to America
This movie is especially very funny because it's from the 80's. With that hairgel or hairspray commercial that's on all the time. And Eddie Murphy is super hilarious as Prince Akeem. And I really liked Arsenio Hall.

Boomerang
I remember that when this movie came on TV for the first time, it was on almost every month. I saw this so many times back then. Now, it's been a while and I only remember that Murphy's character walways looked at the girls toenails when they were in bed.

Beverly Hills Cop 3
This is better than people think. I still love Axel Foley and I maybe like this movie even more than the other two. I know, it's not better but it's so much funnier. That scene where Axel accidentaly ends up on stage with the Wonderworld characters. That's just hilarious. I always watch this movie.

The Nutty Professor
This was fatguy humor before it became nasty and distasteful. I liked Sherman Klump.

Mulan
It's not one of my favorite Disney movies, but it's a Disney movie and they hardly ever disappoint. Murphy's character Mushu is adorable.

Dr. Dolittle
Funny concept, a guy that can talk to animals. That Spanish ape is the first thing that popped in my head while thinking of this movie.

Shrek series I'm not going to discuss all the different movies, I just love Shrek. Maybe it's me but Pinocchio is my favorite character, but I also love Fiona and Donkey. I like how they made fairytales hip again, in stead of dull and dusty.

I Spy
Eddie Murphy and Owen Wilson are a cool duo. Our own Famke Janssen adds a little spice to it and you have a great action/ comedy combo.

Dreamgirls
A more serious role and I really adore this film. Especially Jennifer Hudson is fantastic, although an Oscar was maybe a little bit over-the-top, but her performance was great. This was Eddie Murphy's last movie worth watching.