Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F

In a universe where the horrendously titled Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F makes it to theaters, I would have skipped it in an instant. However, thanks to good word of mouth and the ease of watching on Netflix, I decided to give it a go, despite having 0 experience or ties to the franchise. Aside from the catchy theme song and knowing that Eddie Murphy starred in them, the Beverly Hills Cop series is one I've never made my way around to, nor is it very high on my list regardless. 

And while this sequel-with-the-dumb-name, Axel F, may not be a film I remember for more than a couple days after watching it, I found it to be a perfectly serviceable buddy-cop comedy that simultaneously allows Eddie Murphy to do his thing and avoids trying to be something it's not. 

The best part about BHC: Axel F is an R-rated, but appropriately strained Eddie Murphy. This isn't R-rated Shrek donkey Murphy, but instead the cool Eddie Murphy who can still crack one-liners and riff like nobody's business. That's not to say that this "legacy" sequel is hilarious, but it's consistently amusing and earned more than a couple laughs from me. Murphy slides right back into the role (I'm assuming) and shows that he can still lead a film with ease, particularly with above average material. 

Along for the ride is Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Kevin Bacon, Taylour Paige, and others. Paige (as Axel's daughter) and JGL as Detective Abbott are the other highlights and compliment Murphy's comedy and character well. They're not out to steal the limelight, but often act as more dramatic compliments toward Axel's character arc. The story is probably the most forgettable component, truly serving as just an excuse to enter this world again with a lot of the cliches we're used to from the 80s (which seems to be the era of the weekend). It all ends how you'd assume, and feels like the perfect background or let-me-pause-to-do-a-chore type of movie. The action is in a similar vein where it's stylistically similar to the 80s, well shot overall, but nothing you haven't seen before. I did, however, love the various styles of the main theme song depending on a dramatic moment, a powerful moment, action beat...what have you. It was a fun bit. 

Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F may have the dumbest title of the year, but it's a surprisingly competent sequel that isn't a bad way to pass a couple hours, especially if you enjoy Eddie Murphy slipping back into his 80s cool-guy era. It doesn't try to be more than it is, which would have likely resulted in failure as opposed to success, and in making that decision provides a mildly entertaining, consistently amusing, fun buddy cop comedy from a different Hollywood era. 

Rapid Rath's Review Score | 6/10