Like all great actors and filmmakers, even Eddie Murphy has fallen into this category of being relegated to making movies that go directly to streaming services.
“Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F,” which is streaming on Netflix, Paramount+ and Paramount+ Amazon Channel, surprised me. In addition to Murphy as easy-to-like Axel Foley, it co-stars some of the actors from the original “Beverly Hills Cop” of 1984. That includes Judge Reinhold as Billy Rosewood and John Ashton as Chief John Taggart.
This is a passable sequel, and much better than the awful third entry, “Beverly Hills Cop III” in 1994.
In this action-comedy a lot of shenanigans occur, especially with Kevin Bacon (“Leave the World Behind,” “Footloose”) as corrupt police Capt. Cade Grant. It also features Bronson Pinchot, a “Beverly Hills Cop” regular, in a cameo as Serge, a friendly face.
Murphy (“The Nutty Professor,” “Coming to America”) is fine as Foley. He knows the character well and it shows every step of the way.
Part of the plot involves Joseph Gordon-Levitt (“Looper”) as Det. Bobby Abbott, who is essential to the story line. He gets along with Murphy’s rogue-cop character. The duo shares great screen chemistry. It’s camaraderie that only veterans on the police force would know.
Today’s audiences, who may not have seen the first three films, shouldn’t have any trouble following this edition. That’s because Murphy is so good as this character. It also helps that the storyline involves Foley’s dealings with his estranged daughter Jane, portrayed by Taylour Paige (“Zola”).
I didn’t love this third sequel, but I didn’t hate it either. The good chemistry and togetherness of everyone in the cast helped. In some sequels, the actors appear to be just walking through their roles to pick up a paycheck. That is not the case with this one.
“Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F” is just a fun movie, period.
