BEVERLY HILLS COP: AXEL F (2024)

SYNOPSIS: Detective Axel Foley (Eddie Murphy) is back on the beat in Beverly Hills. After his daughter’s life is threatened, she (Taylour Paige) and Foley team up with a new partner (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and old pals Billy Rosewood (Judge Reinhold) and John Taggart (John Ashton) to turn up the heat and uncover a conspiracy.

MOVIE REVIEW:

Nostalgia plays a huge part in the latest entry of the Beverly Hills Cop series. If you can recall, the successful franchise spawned three sequels, the last being released in 1994 to mixed reviews and weak box office.

Given Eddie Murphy's career resurrection in recent times, nothing can stop the return of Axel Foley, the fast-talking, street-smart cop from Detroit. He is back in Beverly Hills yet again to investigate a cop-killer case involving her estranged daughter, Jane (Taylour Paige) who is working as an pro-bono attorney. Her life is in danger as the cartel might be planning to silence her.

With the involvement of his old partners, Detective turned private investigator Billy Rosewood (Judge Reinhold), Chief John Taggart (John Ashton), Jeffrey Friedman (Paul Reiser) and newcomer, Detective Bobby Abbott (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), they uncover a massive conspiracy ring involving crooked cops and drug trafficking.

The reunion means more to those who have been following the franchise since the early 80s. So what transpire after the rousing prologue where we see Foley busting a robbery at a hockey match is inconsequential as it proved that Axel Foley has not lose his trademark comedic touches even after a span of almost 30 years.

With writer Will Beall who just gave you Bad Boys: Ride or Die onboard, Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F moves at a break neck pacing delivering both wacky action and comedy bits even if the main villain is revealed early in the movie. Eddie Murphy is in his finest form yet. The comic legend knows the character of Foley has aged over the years and while he still more or less manages to deliver the level of maniac energy, he also provides a subtle touch opposite his onscreen estranged daughter. The father-and-daughter relationship is after all a surprise addition to all the madness happening.

The extensive on location shoot around LA and Beverly Hills also bring viewers back to a time where movies are actually shot at least partially on a real street or at a real mall. The action is mostly over the top but executes with way more flair and excitement than the average contemporary action movie.

Playing opposite the veterans is Joseph Gordon-Levitt who plays the straight man to the absurd Foley, a cop that can basically talk himself out of any sticky situations without resorting to violence. Also Kevin Bacon who needs no introduction what kind of role he is playing here.

Again, nostalgia can be a tricky thing when it comes to a classic franchise liked Beverly Hills Cop. Fortunately, everything is in top form especially Murphy and his improvisation. Certainly, it lives up to be a worthy entry in the flagging franchise. That’s saying a lot for someone who is not much of a fan of reboots, remakes and revivals.

MOVIE RATING:

Review by Linus Tee