Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F movie review

MOVIE TITLE: Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F

This unexpected sequel to Eddie Murphy’s comedy-action franchise is now playing exclusively on Netflix.

RATING: R

LENGTH: 1 hour 58 minutes

Movie Review Mom GRADE: B

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IN A NUTSHELL:

It’s been 40 years since the first Beverly Hills Cop movie. Can you believe it? The story is about Alex Foley, who returns to Beverly Hills after his daughter’s life is threatened, and works with old pals John Taggart and Billy Rosewood to uncover a conspiracy.

The cop comedy was directed by Mark Molloy. Writing credits go to Danilo Bach, Daniel Petrie Jr., and Will Beall. The film was produced by Eddie Murphy Productions and Jerry Bruckheimer Films.

THINGS I LIKED:

Everyone loves Eddie Murphy, right? He’s just as charming and funny as ever.
We see the return of fan favorites from the first Beverly Hills Cop movies such as Judge Reinhold, John Ashton, and Paul Reiser.
New faces to this franchise include Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Kevin Bacon, and Taylour Paige.
We spend some time in Detroit at the beginning of the movie, but the bulk of the movie takes place in Beverly Hills, California. As expected, the movie has won an award for “Location Team of the Year” by the California on Location Awards.
The movie feels like a love letter to fans and definitely doesn’t take itself too seriously.
It felt like a 1980s movie.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

I never saw the original movies, so I know I probably missed a bunch of Easter eggs and nostalgic nods to the franchise.
Taylor Paige’s character was unappealing, probably because she complained about everything and held a huge grudge for 99% of the movie. My husband and I wondered if she was related to someone who produced the film because she didn’t seem to fit in the rest of the playful cast. While watching the movie, my husband commented on Taylour Paige’s perfect posture. She trained in ballet for many years, and later worked with choreographer Debbie Allen. Debbie Allen cast her in every one of her studio’s musicals for 9 years.
The villain was super obvious the minute he stepped on the screen.

FUNNY LINES:

“We have to switch to Plan B.” – Axel Foley “This was Plan A?” – Mike Woody
“Stop hitting cars!” – Mike Woody “There’s a lot of blind spots in a snowplow.” – Axel Foley
“This isn’t my first time in Beverly Hills.” – Axel Foley “I saw that. Did you ever read your own file? This is a lot. Disturbing the peace, various shootouts, evading the police. This is from ’84. Then there’s one from ’87. And then ’94. Not your finest hour.” – Detective Bobby Abbott
“This is just like Detroit Impound. Except for everything.” – Axel Foley
“I do some of my best work when I’m suspended.” – Axel Foley
“Axel? Ashley? Together, we’d be ‘Actually’.” – Ashley De La Rosa