Before Eddie Murphy dove into family-friendly comedies like The Nutty Professor and Doctor Doolittle, he solidified his place as a comedic icon with the Beverly Hills Cop series. Although it’s hard to believe, the original Beverly Hills Cop hit theaters back in 1984. Now, as we eagerly await the release of Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F on Netflix on July 3, 2024, it’s the perfect time to revisit the first three films.
The first Beverly Hills Cop film set the standard for buddy cop movies, despite Axel Foley’s status as a lone wolf without a partner. Instead, he teams up with Sergeant John Taggart and Detective Billy Rosewood, portrayed by John Ashton and Judge Reinhold, respectively.
Axel Foley, played by Murphy, isn’t your typical Beverly Hills cop; he’s a Detroit detective known for his unorthodox methods. When his childhood friend is murdered, Axel takes matters into his own hands, defying orders and heading to Beverly Hills to investigate.
In the sequel, Beverly Hills Cop II, Axel returns to Beverly Hills to help after Lieutenant Bogomil is shot. Joined by Rosewood, Taggart, and his Detroit partner Jeff, played by Paul Reiser, Axel once again faces danger and humor in equal measure.
However, the third installment, Beverly Hills Cop III, didn’t quite hit the mark. Released in 1994, it lacked the charm and humor of its predecessors. Set in a theme park, Axel finds himself teamed up with Rosewood and Taggart once again, but the film failed to capture the magic of the earlier movies.
With Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F on the horizon, fans are hopeful for a return to form. With the original cast returning and new additions like Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Kevin Bacon, expectations are high. Will Murphy recapture his comedic brilliance, or will the film fall flat? We’ll have to wait until July to find out.
