After his daughter's life is threatened, wisecracking Detective Axel Foley teams up with a new partner and some old pals to turn up the heat on a conspiracy.
Director: Mark Molloy
Cast: Eddie Murphy, Judge Reinhold, John Ashton, Paul Reiser, Bronson Pinchot, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Taylour Paige, Kevin Bacon
Release Date: July 3, 2024
Genre: Action, Comedy, Crime, Thriller
Rated R for language throughout, violence and brief drug use
Runtime: 1h 55m
Review:
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F is a nice dose of nostalgia that doesn't strive for anything other than bringing back some of Eddie Murphy's 80's era comedic energy which he's more than capable of still doing. Coming 30 years after the last entry into the series has served the series well, making it easier to overlook the razor thin plot and characters in order to enjoy some old school Murphy. Mark Molloy directs the film with a laid back ease as he sets things on cruise control and lets Murphy do his thing. The one liners zip out in rapid succession as you get a sense that Murphy is genuinely happy to revive this particular character just through the confident bravura he delivers onscreen. The action sequences are fun even if they are fairly generic with one in a helicopter leaving the biggest impact. A steady doses of the classic theme throughout drives home the point that the cast and crew isn't here to reinvent the wheel but just to remind you that it was a fun ride the first time around. Judge Reinhold, John Ashton, Paul Reiser and Bronson Pinchot from previous entries all come back in supporting roles hammering the nostalgia nail home. Judge Reinhold initially appears to have a large role in the film only to be taken off the screen for a large chuck of the film's runtime. Newcomers, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Taylour Paige and Kevin Bacon get more substantial roles but the characters are clichéd types rather than fully formed characters. Bacon does the most with his screen time as he delivers his best 80's dirty cop impression. Still him and Murphy aren't given enough time together to really foment a believable antagonism especially as the film hits every predictable beat it can. Murphy carries the film almost in spite of itself especially in the final act as it becomes readily apparent that some judicious trimming could have shaved a good 20 minutes off the film's runtime. Ultimately, your enjoyment of Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F is dependent on how much joy you derive from seeing Eddie Murphy unbound in his vulgar speed talking glory.
C+
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