MOVIE REVIEW: BEVERLY HILLS COP: AXEL F

 

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+

MOVIE REVIEW: WHIPLASH

A talented young jazz drummer experiences a trial by fire when he's recruited by a ferocious instructor whose unyielding search for perfection may lead to his undoing. For as far back as Andrew Neyman (Miles Teller) can remember, he's been watching his father fail. Determined to make a name for himself no matter what it takes, Andrew enrolls in a prestigious east coast music conservatory where his talent quickly catches the attention of Terence Fletcher (J.K. Simmons) a esteemed music teacher who's notorious for his caustic approach in the classroom. The leader of the school's top jazz ensemble, Fletcher promptly transfers Neyman into his band, giving the ambitious young drummer a shot at true greatness. He may achieve it, too, if Neyman's methods don't drive him to madness first. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director Damien Chazelle

Cast: Miles Teller, J.K. Simmons, Paul Reiser, Max Kasch, Damon Gupton.

Release Date: Oct 10, 2014

Rated R for strong Language and Some Sexual References 

Runtime: 1 hr. 46 min. 

Genres: Drama 

Review:

The best kind of films are the ones that can make just about any subject riveting, even ones you have very little knowledge or interest.  Whiplash is that kind of kinetic freight train of a film.  Writer/Director Damien Chazelle allows his film to build steadily and surely until it reaches its nearly exhausting climate.  It’s an impressive feat when you think about the subject matter.  At its core the film is elevated by two spectacular performances by Simmons and Teller as they engage in some brutal psychological warfare.  J.K. Simmons performance is stunningly powerful.  At first glance it looks like a variation of R Lee Ermey’s drill sergeant in Full Metal Jacket but it becomes readily apparent that it’s a much more complex role as the film progresses.  Teller is just as focused and impressive as the student reaching for greatness at all cost.  Miles performance allows you to feel the nearly insane amount of drive his character feels.  The duo is entrancing when they’re onscreen each focused, performing at an incredibly high level.  You can’t really ask for more from a film. 

 
A