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Beverly Hills Cop follows Axel Foley (Eddie Murphy) a Detroit detective that travels to Beverly Hills to investigate the murder of a friend, which might be tied to Victor Maitland (Steven Berkoff), an art gallery owner that also dabbles in drug trafficking. Meanwhile, local cops Taggart (John Ashton) and his young partner Rosewood (Judge Reinhold) try to keep tabs on Foley while doing things "strictly by the book".
Unfortunately, Foley has several issues to deal with which are highlighted in the above quote from Taggart: First, he's from out of town, and second, he is a "foul-mouthed jerk". Both things end up putting him at odds with everyone, but Foley's bold and unpredictable attitude is also what puzzles Maitland. Can it be enough to make people believe the "foul-mouthed jerk from out of town" instead of the "important local businessman"?
This is a film I've seen several times, though not in a while. So with the newest entry in the franchise coming out, I thought it would be fitting to revisit it. The film follows a similar pattern to many other cop action/comedies of the 1980s where there really aren't a lot of stakes, characters are safe from harm, and the focus is mostly big action sequences and/or witty one-liners. With Murphy in the lead, you know this one leans more towards the latter.
Murphy is indeed a standout in pretty much every scene. He just oozes charisma and feels so comfortable in front of the camera. But more importantly, the way he jokes feels organic and part of his personality, and not like a comedian doing a schtick inside a film. His interactions with Taggart, Rosewood, their superior Bogomil (Ronny Cox), and friend Jenny (Lisa Eilbacher) feel earned. But jokes aside, Murphy also knows how to balance between funny quips and serious delivery when the script calls for it.
The film also delivers some solid action setpieces here and there, and Maitland makes for an easy-to-hate antagonist. However, the fact that the film doesn't really have any stakes in terms of will they live or not eliminates any thrill or suspense. Instead, everything feels like just a sequence of scenes leading to the big showdown. Who will walk away victorious? The important local businessman or the foul-mouthed jerk from out of town? Well, you know who, so enjoy the fu˘kin' ride.
Grade:
BEVERLY HILLS COP
(1984, Brest)
(1984, Brest)
"We're more likely to believe an important local businessman than a foul-mouthed jerk from out of town."
Beverly Hills Cop follows Axel Foley (Eddie Murphy) a Detroit detective that travels to Beverly Hills to investigate the murder of a friend, which might be tied to Victor Maitland (Steven Berkoff), an art gallery owner that also dabbles in drug trafficking. Meanwhile, local cops Taggart (John Ashton) and his young partner Rosewood (Judge Reinhold) try to keep tabs on Foley while doing things "strictly by the book".
Unfortunately, Foley has several issues to deal with which are highlighted in the above quote from Taggart: First, he's from out of town, and second, he is a "foul-mouthed jerk". Both things end up putting him at odds with everyone, but Foley's bold and unpredictable attitude is also what puzzles Maitland. Can it be enough to make people believe the "foul-mouthed jerk from out of town" instead of the "important local businessman"?
This is a film I've seen several times, though not in a while. So with the newest entry in the franchise coming out, I thought it would be fitting to revisit it. The film follows a similar pattern to many other cop action/comedies of the 1980s where there really aren't a lot of stakes, characters are safe from harm, and the focus is mostly big action sequences and/or witty one-liners. With Murphy in the lead, you know this one leans more towards the latter.
Murphy is indeed a standout in pretty much every scene. He just oozes charisma and feels so comfortable in front of the camera. But more importantly, the way he jokes feels organic and part of his personality, and not like a comedian doing a schtick inside a film. His interactions with Taggart, Rosewood, their superior Bogomil (Ronny Cox), and friend Jenny (Lisa Eilbacher) feel earned. But jokes aside, Murphy also knows how to balance between funny quips and serious delivery when the script calls for it.
The film also delivers some solid action setpieces here and there, and Maitland makes for an easy-to-hate antagonist. However, the fact that the film doesn't really have any stakes in terms of will they live or not eliminates any thrill or suspense. Instead, everything feels like just a sequence of scenes leading to the big showdown. Who will walk away victorious? The important local businessman or the foul-mouthed jerk from out of town? Well, you know who, so enjoy the fu˘kin' ride.
Grade: