Axel Foley returns to Beverly Hills after his daughter's life's threatened. Includes old pals John Taggart and Billy Rosewood working to uncover a conspiracy.
Buckle up, folks! Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F is here to remind us why we fell in love with Eddie Murphy's Axel Foley in the first place. This new installment sees our favorite Detroit detective back in action, joined by an all-star cast including Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Taylour Paige. With a plot that mixes nostalgia with new twists, it’s a rollercoaster ride of laughs, action, and a few head-scratching moments. Let’s dive into this latest Beverly Hills adventure and see what makes it tick—and what makes it trip.
Plot (Or, How Axel Foley Went from 1984 to 2024 Without Aging a Day)
Axel Foley (Eddie Murphy) returns to Beverly Hills after his daughter's life is threatened. Alongside old pals John Taggart and Billy Rosewood, he dives headfirst into uncovering a conspiracy that reaches the highest echelons of the city's elite. Think of it as a trip down memory lane, but with more wrinkles and fewer hair dye disasters.
What I Liked (Or, Nostalgia with a Side of Action)
All the Returning Stars and Nostalgia: The reunion of Eddie Murphy with his old partners in crime-fighting, Judge Reinhold and John Ashton, is pure gold. It's like catching up with old friends you haven’t seen in decades. The film cleverly brings back familiar faces while introducing new ones, like Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Taylour Paige, who fit right into the mix.
Eddie Murphy's Ageless Charm: Let’s face it, Eddie Murphy seems to have found the Fountain of Youth. His charisma and comedic timing are as sharp as ever. Even at 63, he brings the same energy and wit to Axel Foley that made the character a household name in the 80s.
A Good Addition to the Franchise: Despite its flaws, Axel F manages to capture the spirit of the original films while updating the story for a new generation. It's a tricky balance, but the film mostly pulls it off.
What I Disliked (Or, The Things That Made Me Go Hmmm…)
Woke Culture Jokes Get Old Fast: The film makes a few digs at woke culture, but the humor feels forced and out of place. Axel Foley’s conning skills and street smarts are his trademark, and shifting the focus to social commentary feels unnecessary.
Axel Needing Help: One of the best things about Axel Foley is his ability to con his way into and out of any situation. Changing his character to rely on help diminishes his charm. We love him for his solo antics, not because he needs a team to hold his hand.
Destroying Past Heroes: There’s an unfortunate trend of deconstructing heroes from older films to fit modern sensibilities. Let Axel Foley be Axel Foley. We don’t need to correct or "improve" him for a new audience.
Old Faces with Obvious Hair Dye: Some of the returning characters look so old that it’s almost distracting. The hair dye isn’t fooling anyone. Embrace the gray, guys!
Extra Info (Or, The Juicy Tidbits You Didn’t Know You Needed)
Eddie Murphy on Making the Film: Speaking to People magazine, Murphy said, "It was a hard one. I did Axel Foley when I was in my 20s. I am not in my 20s anymore. It was an action movie. So it was a rough one. But we got through it." For the record, Murphy was 23 during the first Beverly Hills Cop and is now 63 in Axel F. The movie even jokes about it, which is a nice touch.
Reunion of Old Faces: The film reunites Eddie Murphy and Judge Reinhold, who appeared in every movie; John Ashton and Paul Reiser, from the first two films; and Bronson Pinchot, who appeared in the first and third movies. Talk about a blast from the past!
Release Timing: Axel F will be released 30 years after Beverly Hills Cop III (1994) and 40 years after the first Beverly Hills Cop (1984). Time flies when you’re having fun—or running from explosions.
Final Thoughts and Rating
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F is a fun, nostalgic ride that brings back the charm and humor of the original films. While it has its share of flaws—mainly in trying to modernize Axel Foley—it still manages to entertain and keep you invested in the story. Eddie Murphy proves once again that he’s a timeless talent, capable of carrying a film with his wit and charisma.
My final rating? 7.0/10. It's a solid addition to the franchise, and definitely worth watching if you're a fan of the originals.
#BeverlyHillsCopAxelF #EddieMurphy #JosephGordonLevitt #TaylourPaige #ActionComedy #Nostalgia #MovieReview #WhatIsDanWatching #ClassicReboot #AxelFoley
Comments