Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F review

Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F finds Eddie Murphy going nostalgic in a number of ways.

After a pair of disappointing comedy efforts Coming 2 America and You People, Murphy revisits his most iconic franchise character. Rather than turning the brash Axel Foley into some toned-down joke, Murphy delivers a vintage, lively performance. It’s more than enough to make Axel F an enjoyable and worthwhile watch for Beverly Hills Cop fans.

Murphy might have the same level of energy as he did 40 years ago when the first film debuted — that would be a tall ask for anyone. Still, this is the most dialed in he’s been in a role since the 2019 Dolemite is My Name. That’s not to suggest Murphy has sleepwalked through recent performances so much as he seemed to truly be enjoying reprising the role of Axel again.

Perhaps Murphy felt like there was some unfinished business with Axel after 1994’s Beverly Hills Cop III failed to connect as strongly as the 1984 and 1987 installments?

There’s a sense that Murphy didn’t want to deviate too far from what worked so well previously. That explains a score filled with the 80s pop syth like Harold Faltermeyer’s series theme, the return of fan favorite supporting characters and Axel’s signature outfit.

All those ingredients sound like Axel F has little choice but to be a warmed over, stale rehash of Murphy’s 80s glory days. Thankfully writers Will Beall (Bad Boys: Ride or Die pre-order now on Amazon), Tom Gormican and Kevin Etten incorporate enough new elements to balance out the long strolls down memory lane.

Axel’s old pal, Billy Rosewood (Judge Reinhold) has cracked a case involving the death of a crooked undercover cop. Billy’s evidence would exonerate a jailed drug mule imprisoned for the officer’s death. Rosewood calls up his layer friend, Jane (Taylour Paige, Astra), to investigate putting her in the crosshairs of the real killers. Recognizing he might have made a mistake, Rosewood calls Jane’s father — Axel.

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The timing for Rosewood’s call couldn’t be better. Axel has once again created massive amounts of property damage in Detroit prompting his longtime friend, Deputy Chief Jeffrey (Paul Reiser) to cover for him one final time.

Back in Beverly Hills, Axel quickly falls into his old tricks landing him in trouble with the local police. There are some new faces like Det. Billy Abbott (Joseph Leonard Gordon-Levitt) and Capt. Cade Grant (Kevin Bacon), but at least his pal Taggart (John Ashton) is now the police chief. Navigating the officer’s death is easy compared to the chilly response Axel receives from Jane.

Paige and Murphy balance this dynamic smoothly. This allows space for Jane to have legit beef with Axel while avoiding painting her as the killjoy, unlikable character stifling all of Axel’s fun. That’s a rough spot for a new character squaring off with a popular franchise star.

Gordon-Levitt and Bacon are also strong cast additions. Gordon-Levitt tends to find that right zone to play his character especially the helpful co-lead. JGL isn’t trying to snatch the spotlight from Murphy and provides a firm straight man to constantly get amazed at Foley’s antics. And Bacon is such a smooth, slick performer that he’s pitch perfect as potentially shady captain.

Credit debuting director Mark Molloy for not wasting much time revealing the film’s villain. This isn’t an elaborate murder mystery so there was no point trying to establish red herrings.

Axel F is just shy of two hours. Molloy could have shaved 10 to 15 minutes off the run time with tighter editing on the chase scenes. They tend to play out too long after the point is made that Axel doesn’t value other people’s property.

Molloy also navigates the action and comedy surprisingly well. The temptation with Axel F is just to let Murphy riff repeatedly. Molloy gives all of the cast moments in the comedic spotlight so it’s not just the Murphy improv show.

No doubt Murphy is the draw for most viewers, and he validates the fanfare. It’s fun watching an actor have fun in his signature role and Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F is a welcome return to form for an old school Murphy performance.

Rating: 8 out of 10

Photo Credit: Netflix

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