DIRECTOR: Mark Molloy
PRODUCERS: Jerry Bruckheimer & Chad Oman & Eddie Murphy
WRITERS: Will Beall (story) & Tom Gormican & Kevin Ettan (screenplay)
PERFORMERS: Eddie Murphy Joseph Gordon-Levitt Taylor Paige Judge Reinhold
John Ashton Bronson Pinchot with Paul Reiser and Kevin Bacon
In 1984, film audiences were introduced to a kind of hero who was a jack of all trades. He was smart, witty and above all humorous and he had his own music theme that never got old. That was forty years ago, then sequels came and went, and apparently the last one from thirty years ago didn't quite end his arc with a bang. Now thirty years later, he returns for one more investigation and once again... The Heat is on!
Eddie Murphy returns to one of his most prominent roles as Detroit Police Detective Axel Foley, in what appears to be the long awaited fourth entry to the Beverly Hills Cop franchise and this time, it's personal. In this latest caper, Foley returns to the sunny state of California in the city of Beverly Hills (it just seems that Foley can't live without the place) to bring down a criminal organization that's been threating his estranged daughter's life and we all know that anyone close to Foley gets messed with, messes with Foley. The performance of Joseph Gordon-Levitt was also phenomenal, this was the second time he's done such masterful job playing a cop since 2012's The Dark Knight Rises. On the other hand, Kevin Bacon here also in turn, deserves a standing ovation for his part as he so convincingly has everyone deceived until the big revelation near the middle's end all the way to the conclusion. Maybe somewhat predictable, but also finds a way to pull that suspension of disbelief act so successfully.
Seeing Murphy again in this role was just like old times, especially since the legendary first film came out just forty years ago in 1984! Even Judge Reinhold and John Ashton are back for the fun, they alone make the experience all the more worthwhile! Yet even so, with much time gone by you wonder 'what happened to these guys and where did the time go?' But then, a lot can change over thirty years, especially with some old habits that never die. That said, this film did not go without any reference to the earlier films, and they were a real treat as well. The music was also just as fire, the soundtracks from the past were dug up and you couldn't help but rock to them. And what's a Beverly Hills Cop film without that memorable theme by Harold Faltermeyer we all know and love?
What's really interesting is the themes this entry touches on as well as explores, such as family estrangements, broken relationships and adjustments to newer times. While enjoyable, this also felt like a new type of Beverly Hills Cop waiting to make it's mark on today's society as well as keep up with the very things that made the franchise work in the first place. The references, as mentioned earlier, were a much needed addition to Axel F. and though they were hard to catch at times, they did not fail to please. The only concern was the absence of Ronny Cox, who portrayed Bogomil in the original two films. I thought he should have been there with them or at least referenced. After all, he too was part of the classic team (minus the third film alongside Ashton who was replaced by Hector Elizondo).
If this film proves one thing it's the fact that regardless of time and evolution, some things never change. But while we as people do, we don't forget the times we had or shared with our close ones, nor the moments that defined us in the time of adversity or hardship. While things may be different from the way they were before, that doesn't mean for the worst. Axel Foley may not have been the same from the last time we saw him, but he still had it. The same goes for everyone else involved and the franchise alumni that portrayed a part in this (big or small). And in the end, there are really two questions to ask: 1... Was it worth the wait? and 2... Was it worth the time? The answer to both questions is YES! Eddie Murphy has delivered and succeeded, so in all honesty, job well done and thanks for the latest hurrah.
MY RATING: 5 out of 5
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