Beverly Hills Cop Review

MPAA Rating: R
Released: 1984

Few movies perfectly capture the essence of the 80's as well as Beverly Hills Cop, a fun action-packed romp that places a wisecracking Detroit cop out of his element and into the posh and superficial streets of Beverly Hills. While there on "vacation" he attempts to track down the man responsible for the murder of his friend, but such a goal is not easy for not only must he concern himself with the target's hired thugs, but also the Beverly Hills Police Department.

Do you remember when Eddie Murphy was often hilariously funny and edgy, rather than the poster boy for silly children's faire that he has become? If so, you probably recall Beverly Hills Cop fondly, for it presented Eddie Murphy when he was in his prime.

As the movie opens we see Detective Axel Foley (Eddie Murphy) in the midst of a sting operation as he attempts to pawn off an illegal truckload of cigarettes, but the bust is ruined when a clueless Detroit police officer stumbles across the events and spooks the two criminals. What follows is one of the most deliciously fun chases ever put to film as a multitude of police cars attempt to stop a rampaging tractor-trailer that smashes through cars and obstructions with ease. All the while Axel is holding on for dear life inside the exposed trailer.

Later that day Axel meets up with an old friend in his apartment, Mikey Tandino (James Russo), but shortly after experiencing a night out on the town as they reminisce about old times two thugs ambush them, knocking Axel out and killing Mikey. Axel, of course, wishes to handle the investigation, but when his commanding officer refuses to allow him on the case he elects instead to use up his vacation time so that he can secretly begin his own investigation.

The investigation ends up leading to Beverly Hills, where an old friend, Jenny Summers (Lisa Eilbacher), of both Axel and the deceased may be able to offer some insight into who might have wanted Mikey dead. Soon the primary suspect is Victor Maitland (Steven Berkoff), an extremely affluent businessman that owns an art dealership at which Jenny (and Mikey previously) is employed.

Axel of course confronts Victor in his office about Mikey, but the wealthy entrepreneur wants nothing to do with the conversation and has his henchmen literally pick up Axel and carry him outside. In true 80's fashion, upon reaching the ground floor the henchmen don't bother to actually open a door and toss Axel on the sidewalk; instead they choose to throw him straight through the front windows!

As if the insult of being summarily tossed through a window was not enough, Axel is quickly arrested and charged with disturbing the peace, but the charges are dropped when Lt. Andrew Bogomil (Ronny Cox) discovers Axel is a Detroit cop. He releases Axel with a warning to stay away from Victor, and assigns a pair of Beverly Hills cops to tail Axel. Of course the twosome that consists of the hot-tempered Det. Sgt. John Taggart (John Ashton) and the goofy and lovable Det. Billy Rosewood (Judge Reinhold) find it difficult to keep Axel under control, leading to some amusing scenarios throughout the rest of the film.

Everything about Beverly Hills Cop captures the soul of the 80's, from its infectious synth-heavy soundtrack to the over-the-top action. The entire cast deserves credit for they performed wonderfully. Eddie Murphy worked great as the tough talking and mischievous Detroit cop unaccustomed to following police procedure, while John Ashton and Judge Reinhold held their own (albeit in very different characters) as the two partners that get dragged into Axel's unauthorized investigation. But the true surprise performance of the film would have to be Bronson Pinchot who stole the scene right out from under Murphy inside a swanky art gallery. Pinchot's role was minor and short-lived, but it was outrageously funny and memorable.

Full of exciting action and mayhem, an inimitable 80's flair and strong doses of good-natured (though sometimes foul-mouthed) humor, Beverly Hills Cop ends up being one of the essential films of the decade.

Movie rating: 9 stars

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