We loved the latest BH Cop movie. We missed the Axil laugh tho which Murphy stated it was an acting choice. The gal who played the daughter was lacking acting chops. I don’t even remember BH Cop 3.
Great point about the laugh. I miss that, too! Maybe he thought it made Axel too much of a carefree youngster. And you're right, the casting could've been better on his daughter.
Enjoyed Axel F, especially the daughter being a strong, successful, kick ass woman despite the lack of a biological father figure in her formative years. We don't have to become a product of our environment, we can choose to rise above, vote 💙 so we can have choices.
Great analysis, Michael. My wife and I were similarly pleasantly surprised by how in the course of the movie “I do everything my way” Foley showed increasing vulnerability and insight into his shortcomings as an absent father.
I'm not gonna see this movie, but Harold Faltermeyer's "Axel F" is easily one of the best songs from the 80s, and one of the best instrumental pop songs ever made, no kidding.
Totally agree with your take on Harold Faltermeyer's "Axel F." His work on the Fletch soundtrack is also excellent. Are skipping this movie because you're not a fan of the franchise, not a fan of sequels, not a fan of Netflix? What's the deal? I've got to know.
1. I've been bitterly disappointed by nostalgia plays like this in the past
2. I wasn't super into Beverly Hills Cop when I was a kid
I think the combo makes it less appealing than, say, Beetlejuice 2: Sequeljuice, although I'm not sure whether I'd see a sequel to Trading Places, which I loved. Probably not.
Check out Fletch 2's soundtrack! It's truly excellent, and some of Harold F's best work.
Great recommendation, thank you for this. I was 11 for the first Beverly Hills Cop and loved it. Yeah, the sequels weren't as good but I love Eddie Murphy so much I might restart my Netflix account to see him again. My parents were absolute shambles at parenting, but I'm grateful they exposed me to so much comedy when I was a kid-- Eddie Murphy, Cheech&Chong, Richard Pryor, Carlin...good times. Did I turn out okay? No. But I still love stand-up.
I think you're referencing another Eddie Murphy classic: 48 Hours. That movie rules! Also, his James Brown bit was amazing. I still watch that one on youtube.
1. Big fan. 2. Have not seen it and don't intend to watch. Not a fan of sequels that arrive decades later and also Netflix original content always disappoints. 3. Never seen it, and surely better for it.
Great article! My husband and I watched Axel F and loved it! Loved how they preserved the original soundtrack as well! I liked the parent-child plot as well. Afterwards we went back and watched the original - so great!
One of the most significant character traits given to Axel Foley in this film is that he’s a self-proclaimed “Celibate.” For a leading man to make that claim on an American film shuts off a standard support column of this country’s art. It begs the question, “What is a man who doesn’t pursue sex on some level?”
One of my favorite lines:
“There’s a lot of blind spots in a snowplow.”
I’ve driven a truck with a snowplow and I know.
That was a great line! And I love that they reinvented that classic chase scene with a snow plow.
We loved the latest BH Cop movie. We missed the Axil laugh tho which Murphy stated it was an acting choice. The gal who played the daughter was lacking acting chops. I don’t even remember BH Cop 3.
Great point about the laugh. I miss that, too! Maybe he thought it made Axel too much of a carefree youngster. And you're right, the casting could've been better on his daughter.
Enjoyed Axel F, especially the daughter being a strong, successful, kick ass woman despite the lack of a biological father figure in her formative years. We don't have to become a product of our environment, we can choose to rise above, vote 💙 so we can have choices.
Well said!
Great analysis, Michael. My wife and I were similarly pleasantly surprised by how in the course of the movie “I do everything my way” Foley showed increasing vulnerability and insight into his shortcomings as an absent father.
Thanks Paul!
I'm not gonna see this movie, but Harold Faltermeyer's "Axel F" is easily one of the best songs from the 80s, and one of the best instrumental pop songs ever made, no kidding.
Totally agree with your take on Harold Faltermeyer's "Axel F." His work on the Fletch soundtrack is also excellent. Are skipping this movie because you're not a fan of the franchise, not a fan of sequels, not a fan of Netflix? What's the deal? I've got to know.
I think it's at least two things:
1. I've been bitterly disappointed by nostalgia plays like this in the past
2. I wasn't super into Beverly Hills Cop when I was a kid
I think the combo makes it less appealing than, say, Beetlejuice 2: Sequeljuice, although I'm not sure whether I'd see a sequel to Trading Places, which I loved. Probably not.
Check out Fletch 2's soundtrack! It's truly excellent, and some of Harold F's best work.
I feel this. And I absolutely don't want a sequel to Trading Places. The nod to the Dukes in Coming to America was great, and it was all I needed.
I did enjoy the new Coming to America, but it just wasn't in the same category as the original. What a classic!
And now I want to watch it!
I hadn't considered watching this but now I shall!
Great recommendation, thank you for this. I was 11 for the first Beverly Hills Cop and loved it. Yeah, the sequels weren't as good but I love Eddie Murphy so much I might restart my Netflix account to see him again. My parents were absolute shambles at parenting, but I'm grateful they exposed me to so much comedy when I was a kid-- Eddie Murphy, Cheech&Chong, Richard Pryor, Carlin...good times. Did I turn out okay? No. But I still love stand-up.
I'll say this... you're parents had good taste in comedy.
My dad took me to inappropriate films, too. I don’t recommend seeing Boogie Nights with your dad!
Haha! No, that's awkward AF.
The first one was outstanding. “There’s a new sheriff in town, and his name is Reggie Hammond. Ya’ll be cool.”
The first time I saw Eddie was live on SNL. Yes, I am old. Gumbo, Mr. Robinson neighborhood and his his James Brown imitation “Ooh, the hot tub!”
I think you're referencing another Eddie Murphy classic: 48 Hours. That movie rules! Also, his James Brown bit was amazing. I still watch that one on youtube.
You are right! Both movies blend together in my mind.
Absolutely a BHC fan!
Haven’t seen Axel F. I am so clueless I didn’t know it was out
They made a third one? I guess sometimes having your head in the sand is a blessing
Avoid number three, watch the one on Netflix.
1. Big fan. 2. Have not seen it and don't intend to watch. Not a fan of sequels that arrive decades later and also Netflix original content always disappoints. 3. Never seen it, and surely better for it.
Netflix original films usually disappoint me. That said, Eddie has done two good films with them. This one and Dolemite is my name.
Great article! My husband and I watched Axel F and loved it! Loved how they preserved the original soundtrack as well! I liked the parent-child plot as well. Afterwards we went back and watched the original - so great!
Thanks Joanna! But please tell me you didn't go back and watch Beverly Hills Cop 3. That's two hours of my life I'll never get back.
I've never seen Beverly Hills Cop 3 - I forgot it even existed until now!
That's for the best. Avoid it. Trust me.
So, Beverly Hills Cop included that geeky dude from Fast Times at Ridgmont High, right?
During Covid, my hubby and I did multiple movie marathons, but never thought to do the BHC universe! On our list now…
One of the most significant character traits given to Axel Foley in this film is that he’s a self-proclaimed “Celibate.” For a leading man to make that claim on an American film shuts off a standard support column of this country’s art. It begs the question, “What is a man who doesn’t pursue sex on some level?”